1937: Desta Damtew, Haile Selassie’s son

ExecutedToday.com ^ | February 24, 2015 | Headsman

[CheshireTheCat]

On this date in 1937, Ethiopian prince Desta Damtew — the son-in-law of Emperor Haile Selassie — was captured by the Italian troops occupying his country, and summarily executed.

An aristocrat who married Selassie’s eldest daughter, the Ras* Desta Damtew (English Wikipedia entry | Italian) became governor of the southern Sidamo Province upon his father-in-law’s ascent to the Ethiopian throne in 1930.

When Italy invaded Ethiopia in 1935, it committed a disproportionate quantity of its forces to the northern reaches of its target. Consequently, resistance was stronger in the south — and Ras Desta was one of its chiefs. In January 1936 he led Ethipoian forces at the Battle of Ganale Doria.

Though the two sides had forces of similar sizes, Italy’s was the mechanized, industrial army — and the Ras was routed by Gen. Rodolfo Graziani. It was a milepost for Graziani on his way to lasting infamy in Ethiopia as the conquered realm’s brutal Viceroy for 1937. (He was recalled at year’s end.) Graziani vowed that Italy would dominate Ethiopia “at whatever cost” and threatened “extreme severity towards anyone who resisted.”....

[jocon307]

Thanks for always posting these, I’ve read a few of them. But this one was quite fascinating, it made me realize there’s A LOT of stuff I know nothing about.

RIP to this man!

[AZJeep]

Ethiopia is a very interesting country.
Only Christian country in Africa since Philip converted the Ethiopian officer (Acts 8-24-40).
It has a long history, e.g. there are references to it (called Cush) in Bible, (2Kings 19:9)
Ruled by Salomonian emperors (descendant of King Salomon and Queen of Sheba), it was never conquered either by the Islamic invaders or European Colonists. What was described as start of WWII, Ethiopia was invaded by bloody Italian forces, which committed many atrocities, but were eventually defeated with the help of British forces.
Unfortunately, it was a victim of Communist coup, 1974.
Country was totally destroyed. About 1.4 million killed there! Country was totally destroyed. In 1991 the bloodthirsty Communists were toppled, but the country is still ruled by leftists and still trying to recover.

As bad as the Italian invasion was, the communists were 100x worse.

[Claud]

Unfortunately, it was a victim of Communist coup, 1974.

Yep. If you're in an argument with a BLM leftist, never fail to rub it in their face that a leftist revolution destroyed the last independent kingdom in Africa and murdered its Emperor in cold blood.

When you get right down to it, Communists don't care about white power, black power, or Chinese power.

Their only goal is Communist power.

[Claud]

African history has some fascinating stories about the Christian kings & emperors you hardly ever hear about:

Battle of Wayna Daga: Ethiopian emperor Gelawdewos defeats the Adal Sultanate, saving Ethiopia from Islam. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Wayna_Daga

Battle of Mbanza-Kongo...victory of Afonso I of Kongo over his pagan relatives, establishing a Christian kingdom. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afonso_I_of_Kongo#Battle_of_Mbanza_Kongo

[jocon307]

Thanks to you both for some more Ethiopian history!