Zaptié
The Zaptié ( Italian , derived from Turkish Zaptiye = gendarmerie or police ) was an Italian colonial police force in Tripolitania , the Cyrenaica and Italian Somaliland and existed from 1889 to 1942.
Origin and use
The term is derived from the Ottoman gendarmerie , but the structure of the force was adopted by the Carabinieri after the establishment of Italian colonial rule in Africa . The first units were set up in Eritrea in 1882 and were recruited from irregular troops, the Baschi-Bozuks .
In Tripolitania and the Cyrenaica, the Zaptié were used to monitor the flat land in the coastal region, while the southern desert zone was controlled by Spahis , mounted police and Meharisti . The city of Tripoli had a municipal police force . The Libyan Zaptié were recruited from the previous Ottoman force.
In Italian Somaliland, the Zaptié formed the only police force. They provided a ceremonial escort for the Italian viceroy ( governor ) .
Armament, structure, uniform, ranks
The gendarmes were armed with revolvers , cavalry carbines and sabers . The officers and some non-commissioned officers were Italians, the crews were recruited from the respective colony. In 1927 the Somali Zaptié Corps consisted of 1,500 Somalis and 72 Italians.
The uniform consisted of khaki or white clothing, a fez and a red sash . A white and red collar badge of the Carabinieri was characteristic. The ranks had apparently been taken over by the Ottoman Zaptié.
Calls
Zaptié took part in the conquest of northern Somalia in 1925 and the conquest of the Hobyo sultanate . Departments were also used in the war against Ethiopia in 1936 as well as in World War II . As part of the Carabinieri, they were also used in battles against the Allies. The best-known former Zaptié was Siad Barre , President of Somalia from 1969 to 1991 .
See also
- Polizia dell'Africa Italiana (Italian Africa Police)
- Imperial State Police for German South West Africa
literature
- Raffaele Garlando: Storia della PAI. Polizia Africa Italiana 1936-1945 , Foggia (Italia Editrice New) 2003.
- Peter Abbott: Colonial Armies. Africa 1850 to 1918 , Nottingham 2006. ISBN 1-901543-07-2