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Biography
Mario Nicolis di Robilant (Torino, 28 April 1855 – Roma, 23 July 1943) was an Italian General of the Kingdom of Italy who actively participated in the World War I, mostly at the head of the Fourth Italian Army.
At the entry of Italy in the First World War, he commanded the IV Italian Army Corps with which he conquered the Mount Nero. In September 1915, he became commander of the Fourth Army, stationed in the Cadore. At the height of the Caporetto disaster, he was ordered by Cadorna to retreat with his Army and clear the Cadore. Unaware of the seriousness of the situation, Di Robilant hesitated to execute the order. This caused the capture of 11.500 of his men by the forces of Otto von Below.
He withdrew to the Mount Grappa massif, where he won the defensive battle of Mount Grappa. In February 1918, he became commander of the new Fifth Army.
He ended the War as Italian Military Representative on the Supreme War Council in Versailles.
After the war, he shortly commanded the Eight Army, but then went into retirement at his own request. He had become senator in 1917.