[Communicated to the Council
and the Members of the League.]
Official No..-
C. 242. M. 140.
1 9 3 6 . VII.
Geneva, May 19th, 1936.
LEAGUE
OF NATIONS
DISPUTE BETWEEN ETHIOPIA AND ITALY
COMMUNICATION FROM THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT
Note by the Secretary-General :
The Secretary-General has the honour to distribute to the Council and Members of the League
the following communication, received on May n t h .
•Translation from the Italian .]
U S E OF DUM-DUM B U L L E T S BY THE
ETHIOPIAN TROOPS
P R O T E S T B Y T H E IT A L IA N G O V E R N M E N T TO T H E
L E A G U E OF N A T I O N S
IlNISTRY FOR FOREIGN
A f f a ir s .
No. 215341/22.
Rome, April 30th, 1936 — XIV.
lo the Secretary-General.
In numerous communications 1 I have reported to you the proved and continuous use by the
Abyssinian troops of expansive, or so-called dum-dum, bullets, which produce particularly cruel
vounds and often cause death.
I now transm it to you the following fresh data and documents, in chronological order:
A. On October 15th, 1935, at Sella U rarà (northern front), Askari Uoldegherghis Tesfabruc was
ounded by a dum-dum bullet. I enclose copy of the medical report on this case (Appendix 1).
B. In an encounter which took place at Hananlei (southern front) on November n t h , 1935,
several Italian native soldiers (dubats) were wounded with dum-dum bullets, as already reported
0 you. 2
I now enclose copies of the medical reports containing the clinical history of some of these
ises (Appendix 2).
C. On December 18th, 1935, at Debra Amba (northern front), Sergeant-Major Edoardo
i Noia was hit by a dum -dum bullet, which caused his death. I enclose copies of the medical
: port on this case (Appendix 3).
D. On Jan u ary 21st, 1936, in an encounter in the Gabat Valley, in lem b ien (northern front),
ilitiaman Benigno Zedda was hit by a dum-dum bullet, which caused his death. I enclose the
' dical report and a photograph (Appendices 4 and 5).
E. On the same date, in an encounter near Negaidà (northern front), Sergeant Federico
V;Likus and Private A rturo Sirignano, of the 20th Infantry Regiment, were wounded by
(ivm-dum bullets. I enclose the relative medical reports (Appendices 6 and 7).
1 T elegram
and
n o te of D e c e m b e r
17th,
[935; teleg ram
of D e c e m b e r 20th, 1935; tele g ram a n d n o te of
"■e m b e r 21st, 1935! telegram of J a n u a r y 16th, 193^» and note of Jan u ary 18th, 1936» note of March 9tli. 1936."
telegrams of April y t h a n d i8 tb , 1936.
T eleg ram o f J a n u a r y 16th, 1936, a n d n o te of J a n u a r y 18th, 1936.
S e r i e s of L e a g u e of N a t i o n s P u b l i c a t i o n s
S- d. N. l.io o (F .) -f. 825 (A.). 5/36. — Imp. Atar.
VII. P O L I T I C A L
1936. VII. 7.
F. On the same date, Capomanipolo Vincenzo Crispo and Militiaman Armando Trenti, of
the 202nd Legion of Blackshirts, and Militiaman Mario Mancini, of the 192nd Legion of Black­
shirts, were also wounded by dum-dum bullets. I enclose a medical report on these cases, t 0
photographs of Crispo’s wounds, a photograph of the fragments of the bullet found in him, t vo
X-ray photographs of Militiaman Trenti, and a photograph of one fragment of a bullet found
in him (Appendices 8-14).
G. On January 27th, 1936, at Barentu (northern front), a special Board examined thn
wounded men, who had arrived on the previous day, including Askari Ali Essen, who was foui:, 1
to have been hit by a dum-dum bullet ; I enclose copies of the Board’s report and a technic
report on the examination of the fragments found in this askari’s wounds, and also a photograg;
of the said fragments (Appendices 15-17).
H. On February 9th, 1936, during a flight over Tembien, Pilot Remo Ghezzi was hit by
dum-dum bullet, which caused his death ; I enclose copy of the report of the Commander of th
Second Army Corps concerning this casualty, three photographs of the wounds, an X-ray photo­
graph, and a photograph of the fragments of bullet extracted from the wounds (Appendices 18-23 :
I. On February 21st, 1936, in the fighting at Enda Mariam (northern front), Muntaz Salin
Schollo was wounded by a dum-dum bullet ; I enclose copy of the medical report on this case
and a photograph (Appendices 24 and 25).
L. On February 29th, 1936, in fighting which took place near Selaclacà (northern front
Corporal-Major Giovanni Insoli, Corporal Angelo Saracco, and Privates Bruno Giampaol
Cesare Bonini, and Gino Neri, of the 83rd Infantry Regiment, were wounded by dum-dui
bullets ; I enclose the relevant medical reports and photographs (Appendices 26-35).
M. On March 2nd, 1936, also in the neighbourhood of Selaclacà (northern front), Militiama
Antonio Fam à, of the 3rd (“ April 2 1 s t” ) Blackshirt Division, was wounded by a dum-dui
bullet; I enclose the relevant medical report and a photograph (Appendices 36 and 37).
N. On April 4th, 1936, during a flight over Addis Ababa, as I have already informed you
Captain Falconi and Sergeant-Mechanic Di Cristo wrere wounded by dum-dum bullets, the firs
in the left maxillary region and the second in the left knee, this latter wound necessitating th<
am putation of the limb. I shall send the relative medical reports later.
0 .
On April 15th and 16th, 1936, on the southern front, Air Lieutenant-Colonel Emilie
L ib e ra ti2 and Air Sub-Lieutenant Federico Valli, and Captain Sante Follador, of the infantry
were wounded by dum-dum bullets; I shall send photographs and the medical reports, the despatch
of which has already been announced by the Italian authorities in Somaliland.
P. In the battle of Gianagobô (southern front), which was fought from April 14th to 17th
1936, of 160 wounded brought to Mogadiscio, as m any as 120 were found to have been wounded b^
dum-dum bullets; I shall send the relevant medical reports and photographs, which are being
collected by the Italian authorities in Somaliland.
Q. On April 24th, 1936, during a flight on the southern front, Air Captain Virgilio Cianfarani was wTounded by a dum-dum bullet, as mentioned in Italian official communiqué No. 196
of April 28th, 1936. I shall send you the relevant documentation as soon as I receive it.
The above-mentioned facts do not exhaust the list of cases in which the use of prohibited
ammunition by the Abvssinians has been noted; they are only those with regard to which docu­
mentation is available at the moment. Whereas in m any cases the medical authorities were not
in a position to prepare documentary evidence, in view of the rapidity of the military operations
in numerous other cases the necessary data and documents are being collected, and will be com­
municated to you as soon as possible.
I have already had occasion to supply you with various information concerning the dum-dum
bullets employed by the Abyssinians, including documentary evidence concerning the use of
ammunition manufactured by Eley Bros., London, and Kynoch’s, Birmingham.3 The bullets
manufactured by Eley Bros., captured on the southern front, have a deep hole in the nose
designed to cause the expansion and break-up of the bullet on impact, the base of the bullet being
marked E .C .II; the bullets m anufactured by Kynoch’s, captured on the northern front, are of the
1 T e le g ra m of A pril y th , 1936.
2 T e le g ra m of April 18th, 1936.
3 T ele g ram a n d note of D e c em b er 21st, 1935, te le g r a m of J a n u a r y 16th, 1936, a n d n o te of J a n u a r y 18th, 193'-'-
“ s o f t - n o s e ” type — i.e.,
lia b le to deformation ; I
the nose being of lead not cased with any hard metal, and consequently
enclose a photograph of the label of one of the packets of ammunition
supplied by Kynoch’s w'hich fell into the possession of the Italian troops, and of one of the bullets
contained in it, the base of which is marked K.C.VI (Appendices 38 and 39).
Another kind of prohibited bullet th a t fell into the possession of the Italian troops also has a
hole in the nose, but has in addition a longitudinal slit in the upper part, to make it still easier for
the bullet to expand and burst ; I enclose a photograph of one of"these bullets (Appendix 40).
Another type of illegal bullet found on the northern front has the leaden nose uncovered, and
marked on the base * D * 9.3 x 62; I append a photograph (Appendix 41).
I have already informed you 1 that there were also taken on the northern front two kinds of
dum-dum bullets m arked on the base:
(1) 9
X
57 — 491 A — D.W.M.
(2) 474C — K-K — D.W.M.
I enclose a photograph of one bullet of each kind, both of which have an uncovered leaden
.ose (Appendices 42 and 43).
Another type of bullet captured on the northern front is of large calibre, the whole of its
upper extremity being of lead, without casing ; I enclose photographs of two bullets of this type,
one of which also show's an incision in the leaden nose (Appendices 44 and 45). These bullets have
respectively on their bases the following signs :
(1) Lion of Judah, 2 interlaced G’s.B.07.
(2) * S — F — M*, 2 interlaced G's.
General Graziani has reported that, in the operations along the Ganale Doria (January 1936),
several thousand dum-dum bullets wTere captured from the Abyssinians. These bullets were not
! aptured in dumps, but found in the possession of a large number of prisoners. They are of two
types: some with a perforated nose, others partially cased, but with the leaden point uncovered,
t has not, however, been possible to identify the manufacturing firm (though it is certainly a
European firm), because no intact package was found, but only separate bullets stuck in bandoliers.
Nevertheless, as these bullets have on their base the mark K.C.VI, which appears also on the
iullets supplied b y Kynoch’s (see Appendix 39), it is reasonable to suppose th at they also come
rrom the Birmingham firm. I enclose a photograph of one of these bullets, which has a hollow nose
nd the marks referred to above (Appendix 46).
Marshal Badoglio informed me on April 26th, 1936, that, in the Lake Ashangi battle and the
ubsequent pursuit, about 2,000 dum-dum bullets had up to th a t date been captured and handed
over to the Ordnance Service, some of w'hich, it was possible to ascertain, had been manufactured
,11 England. In the other cases, it was not possible to identify the manufacturing firm because the
.>ullets were found without their packing. Some hundreds of cartridges with soft lead bullets for
iras rifles were also captured.
Marshal Badoglio added th a t further quantities of dum-dum bullets were captured by the
large army units, and th a t it was a proved fact th a t almost all the Abyssinian levies were provided
ith dum-dum bullets.
In this connection, I append a photograph of the bandolier of a member of the Abyssinian
:evies captured in the battle of Lake Ashangi. I t contained six dum-dum bullets with hollow
loses, five being marked on the base K.C.VI and one : E.C.II (Appendices 47 and 48) ; these marks,
is pointed out above, are the same as those noted on the bullets manufactured by Kynoch’s and
dley’s. The origin of the bandolier proves th a t these bullets, hitherto found only on the southern
Iront, are also in use on the northern front.
All these exhibits (fragments, bullets, and bandolier) are in the possession of this Ministry,
ind can be produced if necessary.
I would ask you to be good enough to transmit to the States Members of the League of Nations
he present note and the documents appended thereto, which — as I have already had occasion
0 observe — help to establish a chain of incontrovertible evidence th a t prohibited ammunition
das been used by the Abyssinian troops, not occasionally in one single locality or at one particular
moment, b u t systematically, in various localities far distant from one another, and at different
imes ; the fact cannot, therefore, be unknown to the commanders of the Ethiopian troops or to
die Abyssinian Government, which consequently bears the responsibility.
(Signed)
1 N o te of J a n u a r y 18th, 1936.
S u v ic h .
Appen di x 1.
17th Native Battalion,
Medical Station.
Uarieu Pass, January 12th, 1936 — XIV.
To Headquarters, 17th Native Battalion.
Subject:
W o u n d of A sk a ri U o ld eg h er g h is T e s f a b r u c .
W ith regard to the wounding of Askari Uoldegherghis Tesfabruc, of the Third Company, ;■
Sella U rarà on October 15th, 1935, I have to report the following :
The askari in question was wounded by an enemy soldier while chopping wood ; he had
gunshot wound with entrance in the postero-lateral region of the right thigh and exit in the antero
medial region of the same thigh. The entrance orifice, which was roughly circular, measured
about 6 cm. in diameter and had jagged edges; the exit orifice was of the same size and description.
W hen the course of the bullet was explored with the anatomical probe, the aponeurosis was fount
to be torn and shattered and m any of the muscular fibres were bruised and lacerated.
From the description given, it is obvious th at the wound was caused by a very much bent
bullet which had passed through the tissues and caused the lacerations in question.
(Signed) G. P a p e t t i ,
2nd Lieutenant, Medical Corps.
Appendix 2.
Delegation of the Intendance
in E ast Africa
of the Command of Armed Forces
in Somaliland,
Medical Department.
C l in ic a l H ist o r y o f T h r e e M e n w o u n d e d by D u m -d u m B u l l e t s .
First Case — Field Hospital 45j (Native Surgical Section).
Diagnosis: W ound in the left thigh, with exposed comminuted fracture of the femur, caused
by a dum-dum bullet.
Name and surname: A l i D i r s c e .
Date of admission: November 14th,
1935 - XIV.
Tribe: Averghedir.
Approximate age: 30.
Place of birth : Obbia.
Armed force to which the soldier belongs :
C.I.S.I.
Arm or corps : Third group of levies.
Rank: Dubat.
Anamnesis. — This man comes from Gorahai, whence he was removed by the First Medical
Section. He states th a t he took part in the encounter between our troops and Ethiopian levies at
Hananlei, about 40 kilometres from Sasabane. The engagement took place on the n t h instant
beginning about 7 a.m. ; at about 10 o’clock, when the enemy was about 1 kilometre away, he
received a gunshot wound in the radix of the left thigh. His wound was attended to about an hour
later at the advanced dressing-station by the officer attached to the detachment. He was subse­
quently taken over by the Medical Section and conveyed to Gorahai.
Objective Examination. — This man was of normal appearance and well nourished ; the blood
content of the visible mucous membranes was good. Heart sound. No abnormal symptoms in the
respiratory organs.
On examination of the left leg, in the upper third of the outer surface of the thigh, a large
hole was discovered, all the flesh having been destroyed down to the bone. It wras irregular in
shape, the edges being jagged and turned over. The flesh round it was reduced to a pulp and
bruised. It was longer than it was wide, the length being over 15 cm. and the width about 10 cm.
Through this hole, which was only bleeding slightly, the bony structure could be seen in the forn
of splinters of bone of various sizes, many of them completely detached, belonging to the femur
from which they were separated for a length of about 8 cm. On the inner surface of the upper part
of the thigh, 5 cm. below the level *of the ischio-pubic line, there wras a hole of an irregular
circular shape, with a diameter of about 1 cm., the edges being curved inwards : a probe passed
through the lesions in a straight line led to the hole on the outside of the thigh.
— 5 —
During the first and subsequent dressings in hospital, a large number of metal splinters,
recognisable as fragments of the casing of a rifle-bullet and small particles of a softer metallic
substance having the appearance and consistency of lead, were extracted from the lesion on the
outside of the thigh, together with a large number of minute fragments of bone completely detached
and scraps of dead and pulpy tissue.
Conclusions relating to the First Case. — Dubat Ali Dirsce was wounded by a rifle-bullet in
the left thigh. The shot was fired at a range of about 1,000 metres. The nature of the entrance
orifice and of the large hole representing the exit orifice, and also the serious lesions discovered
along the whole of the bullet’s course, accurately correspond to the specific nature of the lesions
produced by an expanding bullet. Metallic fragments of the bullet were found in the wound.
It is impossible th a t these can be shell splinters, both because artillery was not used in the
action and because of the features of the entrance orifice and the nature of the metal fragments.
Nor can the wound have been caused by a bent and splintered bullet which hit the man after
ricocheting, in view of the nature of the entrance orifice and of the terrain on which the action
took place (absence of buildings, rocks, and any objects which could cause a ricochet).
The fact th a t the bullet split up into minute pieces in the wound proves beyond all doubt that
it was expressly made to expand and explode, and was not an ordinary cased bullet empirically
treated so as to cause it to bend and split up.
Second Case — Field Hospital 453 (Native Surgical Section).
Diagnosis : W ound in the left thigh with exposed comminuted fracture of the femur,
caused by a dum -dum bullet.
Name and surname : F a r a A den.
Date of admission : November 14th,
1935 - XIV.
Tribe: Reberdian.
Approximate age: 22.
Place of birth : Rocca Littorio.
Armed force to which the soldier belongs:
C.I.S.I.
Arm or corps : Third group of levies.
Rank: Dubat.
Anamnesis. — This m an comes from Gorahai, whence he was removed by the First Medical
Section.
He states that, on the n t h instant, at Hananlei, near Sasabane, he took part in the encounter
between our troops and the Ethiopian soldiers; at about 10 a.m., when the enemy was from 800
to 1,000 metres away, he received a gunshot wound in the left thigh. His wound was attended to
about an hour later at the advanced dressing-station by the medical officer attached to the detach­
ment ; he was subsequently taken over by the Medical Section and conveyed to Gorahai.
Objective Examination. — A normal subject, well nourished and with a good blood supply,
muscles strong and well developed.
On the anterior surface of the left thigh, where the middle third joins the lower third, there was
a large hole, all the flesh having been destroyed down to the bone; the lesion was bleeding slightly.
The edges were j agged and the flesh round them reduced to a pulp ; the shape of the hole was an
irregular oval, longer than it was wide; approximate length 15 cm., width 10 cm. At the bottom
of the hole the bones could be seen. They had been broken, the heads being cut off obliquely, the
upper end of one resting on top of the lower end of the other; around the fracture was a large
number of small splinters completely detached.
On the outer surface, at the same level as the lesion described above, there was a continuous
lesion affecting the whole of the flesh, and of an irregular circular shape, the edges being bruised
and bent inwards, with approximate diameter 1 cm. Probing showed th at the two lesions
connected.
During the first and subsequent dressings of the lesion on the anterior surface of the thigh,
a number of m etal splinters, recognisable as fragments of the casing of a rifle-bullet, and small
particles of lead, were extracted, together with a large number of fragments of bone and scraps
of necrotic tissue.
Conclusions relating to the Second Case. — Dubat Fara Aden wras wounded by a rifle-bullet in
the left thigh. The shot was fired at a range of from 800 to 1,000 metres. The nature of the entrance
orifice and the hole representing the exit orifice, and the serious lesions discovered throughout the
whole course of the bullet, accurately correspond to the specific nature of the lesions produced by
an expanding bullet, metal fragments of which were found in the wound. For the reasons mentioned
in connection with the previous case, these cannot possibly have been shell splinters or a bent
bullet which hit the m an after ricocheting.
-
6 —
The splitting-up of the bullet into a large num ber of small fragments shows th at it w;
expressly manufactured to produce a disruptive and explosive effect.
Third Case — Field Hospital 453 (Native Surgical Section).
Diagnosis: Deep wound in the left knee, the femoral epiphysis being affected, caused by a
dum-dum bullet.
Name and surname: A b d i O s m a n .
Date of admission: November 14th,
1 9 3 5 — XIV.
Tribe: Deshisha.
Approximate age: 25.
Place of birth: Bender Cassim.
Armed force to which the soldier belongs:
C.I.S.I.
Arm or corps: Third group of levies.
R ank: Sub-chief.
Anamnesis. — This man comes from Gorahai, whence be was removed by the First Medical
Section. He states that, on the n t h instant, he took p a rt at Hananlei, in the neighbourhood of
Sasabane, in the engagement between our troops and Abyssinian levies. At about 10 a.m. he was
hit in the left knee by a shot fired at a range of about 900 to 1,000 metres. About an hour later he
was attended at the advanced dressing-station by the medical officer attached to the detachment,
and was then taken over by the Medical Section and conveyed to Gorahai.
Objective Examination. — Tall man. Scantily nourished; visible mucosæ well injected with
blood. Muscles in good condition.
On examination of the left knee, we found on the popliteal aspect a loss of tissue affecting all
the fleshy layers as far as the bone, the cavity being of irregular shape with a ragged margin and
turned-out edges, discoloured and bruised, bleeding slightly; the length of the wound was greater
than its breadth: length about 6 cm., breadth, slightly above the popliteal fold, about 4 cm.
Through the cavity caused by the loss of tissue the bone was visible in the form of numerous
bone-splinters of different sizes, mostly still adhering to the wound and belonging to the epiphyseal
extremity of the femur. On the anterior condylar aspect, near the inner margin of the knee-cap,
we found a loss of tissue of an irregular circular shape with a diameter of about 1 cm. and turned-in
edges ; a probe through the lesion, following a somewhat irregular track, arrived in the wound on
the popliteal aspect, from which a thick viscous liquid mixed with blood was oozing.
During medical treatm ent, numerous small metallic splinters and fragments of lead were found
in the wound.
Conclusions regarding the Third Case. — D ubat Sub-Chief Abdi Osman was wounded by a
rifle-bullet in the region of the left knee. The shot was fired from a distance of 900 to 1,000 metres.
The characteristics of the entrance aperture, those of the exit aperture and the lesions found along
the track of the bullet, although not possessing the degree of gravity encountered in the previous
cases, are those of lesions produced by a bullet with a disruptive and" explosive action. Fragments
of this bullet were found in the wound.
For the reasons already stated, the fragments in question cannot be those of a shell or of a
distorted projectile which struck the patient by ricochet.
The breaking-up of the projectile into numerous small fragments shows th a t it must have been
a bullet deliberately m anufactured to produce a disruptive and explosive effect.
General Conclusions.
In all the three cases examined, the characteristics of the lesions and the other factors observed
are such th a t it can be confidently asserted th at the wounds received were due to the effect ol
dum-dum bullets deliberately m anufactured for the purpose of obtaining a disruptive and explosm
effect.
(Signed)
M a u r izio B e d e i,
Colonel, Medical Officer in Charge
of the Health Service.
Appendix 3.
17th Native Battalion,
Medical Station.
Uarieu Pass, January 12th, 1936 — XIV.
To Headquarters, 17th N ative Battalion.
Subject:
W
ound
of
Se r g e a n t -M a jo r D
i
N
o ia
.
As regards the wound received by Sergeant-Major Edoardo Di Noia in the engagement of
December 18th, 1935, at Debra Amba, I have to report the following:
The non-commissioned officer in question was hit in the right supraspinal region by a fire-arm
projectile travelling downwards and somewhat obliquely from back to front. At the upper limit
of the above-mentioned region, there was a large break in continuity, of rounded form, with a
diameter of 5 or 6 cm., and with very ragged margins. As a result of this break in continuity, the
pleural cavity was torn open, and within a few minutes after the infliction of the wound, a glance
through the aperture revealed the formation of an immense haemothorax. When the thoracic
wall was pressed, large quantities of fluid and clotted blood flowed out. Presumably the pulmonary
parenchyma was severely lacerated by the projectile. There was no exit aperture. The wounded
man, in a state of acute anæmia, died about two hours afterwards, as soon as he arrived at the
medical station.
It is obvious from this description of the wound th a t its cause was a very misshapen projectile
of the dum-dum type.
(Signed) G. P a p e t t i ,
2nd Lieutenant, Medical Corps.
Appendix 4.
192nd Blackshirt Legion
Medical Station.
Tembien, March 5th, 1936 — XIV.
To Headquarters, 192nd (“ F. Ferrucci ” ) Blackshirt Legion.
On January 23rd last, I examined Blackshirt B e n i g n o Z e d d a , of this Legion, who died as a
-esult of a wound received in action on January 21st.
Death was due to a gunshot wound, with only an entrance aperture in the right mandibular
region.
The features of the wound were as follows : large orifice, of the size of a 10-centesimi piece of
the old type, with destruction of the external soft tissues and of the corresponding bones, destruc­
tion of the palatal area and of the upper tracheo-pharyngeal tracts, with injuries of the large
vessels of the neck.
In view of these features, it is clear th at the wound was caused by an explosive bullet.
(Signed) U m b e r t o B u t t i n i ,
Director of the Health Service, Medical Centurion.
Appendix 5.
W
ound
from
a
D
u m -d u m
B
ullet
r e c eiv ed
by
M
il itia m a n
B
e n ig n o
in T em b ien , J a n u a r y 21st, 1936).
Zed d a
(Valley
of
th e G a b a t,
Appendix 6.
20th (“ B rescia”) Infantry Regiment,
Infirmary.
January 22nd, 1936 — XIV.
To Headquarters,
20th Infantry Regiment.
Subject: W o u n d s f r o m E x p l o s i v e B u l l e t s .
I attended Sergeant F e d e r i c o M a i k u s , wounded in the action yesterday evening near
Negaidà.
He has a wound from a rifle-bullet on the inner side of the middle of the right thigh, the
projectile remaining in the wound. In the left hemithorax and on the outside of the upper pc. i.
of the left arm there are numerous small wounds affecting the outer tissues and undoubted" .;
due to metal splinters.
I accordingly conclude th at the said wounds were caused by explosive bullets.
(Signed) G. C o c c i a ,
Captain, Chief Medical Officer.
Appendix 7.
20th (“ Brescia ”) Infantry Regiment,
Infirmary.
January 22nd, 1936 — XIV.
To Headquarters,
20th Infantry Regiment.
Subject: W o u n d f r o m E x p l o s i v e B u l l e t .
I
attended Private A r t u r o S i r i g n a n o , of the 4th Company, wounded in the action yesterda
evening near Negaidà. He has a wound from a rifle-bullet in the lower part of his left leg. Th
entrance and exit apertures of the projectile are large and have very ragged edges ; the soft tissue .
are torn, and there is a comminuted fracture of the lower tibia, with small fragments of bon
projected outside.
On the basis of the above observations, I consider that the wound was caused by an explosiv
bullet.
The wounded m an has been transferred to the 28th Medical Station.
(Signed) G. C o c c i a ,
Captain, Chief Medical Officer.
Appendix 8.
30th Surgical Unit.
Enda Jesus, January 23rd, 1936 — XIV.
To the Medical Section of the 3rd Army Corps, E.A.
Subject : W o u n d s p r o d u c e d b y E x p l o s i v e B u l l e t s .
In obedience to the recent instructions, we report the wounds received by the undermentioned
soldiers, the characteristics of which give strong ground for the suspicion that explosive bullets
were used by the enemy :
1. Capomanipolo V i n c e n z o C r i s p o , 202nd Blackshirt Legion. Died of wounds at the base
of the right thorax, entrance aperture in front and exit aperture behind; wound in the lower
part of the right thigh with entrance aperture in front and exit aperture in the popliteal fold,
with fracture of the femur.
Observations. — The apertures of the thorax wound are approximately normal — i.e., as
produced by an ordinary rifle-bullet.
As regards the thigh wound, on the other hand, while the entrance aperture is normal, the
same cannot be said of the exit aperture, which, instead of being an ordinary hole, consists of
a large and irregular cavity with laceration of the tissues.
A particularly noteworthy circumstance is the fact th at among these tissues it proved possible
to trace fragments of the bullet which caused the wound, some of them very small and others
larger and very jagged.
2. Blackshirt A r m a n d o T r e n t i , 202nd Blackshirt Legion. Wounded in the upper half
of the right hemithorax, in front, and in the right shoulder, by small splinters of bullet, causing
about tw enty small wounds; in addition, wounds in the palm of the left hand from splinters
of the same bullet.
Observations. — The wounded man states th a t the bullet, before hitting him, struck the
sights of his rifle, breaking into small fragments which wounded him, while no injury was suffered
by the rifle.
Of the wounds received, some penetrated the lung, as shown by the blood spit out by the
patient and the X-ray examination; others only lodged in the pulmonary walls.
A splinter consisting of a twisted metal plate with jagged edges, a couple of centimetres
long and a centimetre broad, was extracted from one of the latter wounds.
The X-ray examination revealed the presence of numerous splinters in all the right thoracic
region and in the palm of the hand.
— 9 le ft
left
th e
also
3- Blackshirt M a r i o M a n c i n i , 192nd Blackshirt Legion. Wounded in
leg, and the left thigh.
th e
right arm tho
ë drm' ttlL
Observations.
Of these wounds, the one which calls for some remark is the wound in the
thigh, the entrance aperture of which is in the lower external part, and the exit aperture in
lower internal part.
These wounds are about four times as large as the wounds caused by ordinary bullets They
have severely bruised edges, bent outwards and irregular.
The above gives strong ground for the suspicion that the enemy used unlawful projectiles
The splinters extracted, the X-ray photographs, and the photographs of the wounds are at
the disposal of General Headquarters.
(Signed) Dr. P a sq u a le Cianci,
Captain, Chief Medical Officer.
Appendix 9.
W
ound
from
a
D
um -d u m
B
ullet
rec eiv ed
by
Ca po m a n ipo lo
V
in cen zo
Cr ispo .
E n t r a n c e a p e r t u r e in th e low er p a r t of th e rig h t th igh , a n te rio r, in tern al aspect.
(E n d a Jesus, J a n u a ry 21st, 1936.)
10 —
Appendix 10.
W ound
c a u sed
by
a
D um -dum
B ullet
on
Ca pom anipolo
V in c e n z o
Cr ispo .
E x i t in t h e p op lite al space.
( E n d a Jesu s, J a n u a r y 21st, 19 ;
Appendix 11.
F
ragments
of
B ullet
Vin cenzo
extracted
Cr is p o 's W
Ca po m a n ipo lo
from
ound
.
A p p en d ix
12»—
X - R A Y P h o t o g r a p h o f M i l i t i a m a n A r m a n d o T r e n t i ’s W o u n d s c a u s e d
th e f r a g m e n ts of b u l le t s c a tt e r e d th r o u g h o u t th e whole th o rac ic region.
N ote
App endix 13.
—
M
il itia m a n
A
rmando
T
r e n t i 's
W
ounds
caused
b y a D um -dum B u l l e t .
( E n d a Jesus, J a n u a r y 20th, 1936.)
by
a
D
u m -d u m
B
N o te th e q u a n t i t y of f ra g m e n ts of bullets. (E n d a Jesus, J a n u a r y 2 0 th , 1936.)
Appendix 14.
agment
of
of
M
B
ullet
extracted
il itia m a n
A
rmando
from
T
the
r en ti.
T
horax
ullet
.
12
—
—
Appendix
3
15.
F/156 Op.
28-1-1936.
Barentù, January 27th, 1936 — XIV.
The undersigned, sitting as a Board at 3 p.m., in accordance with Order No. 156 of prot.
Op., in Field Hospital No. 97, have examined the three soldiers wounded in action who arrived
here yesterday from the Tessenei detachment.
1...................................................................................................................................................
2..................................................................................................................................................................
3. Askari A li E s s e n .
Has a gunshot wound, the entrance being in the right sub-clavicular region and there being
no exit. The course of the wound runs upwards, backwards and to the left. At the end of this
course is an incision made by the surgeon in order to extract the bullet, lying just under the skin
in the suprascapular area and in the right paravertebral region. By probing through the entrance,
the site of fracture of the clavicle can be reached, and when the probe is withdrawn tiny frag­
ments of metal are found.
Of the bullet extracted by means of the said incision, there seems to be only a part, so that
other parts may perhaps be found in the focus of the fracture.
The patient has a second gunshot wound in the nape of the neck, the cleansing of which
revealed pieces of wood. The undersigned have not, in their examination, discovered anything
of importance in the case of the first two wounded men, but consider that the third case merits
attention. They therefore decide to send Ali Essen to Asmara for further examination, by X-rays
if necessary.
The expert member of the Board, Lieutenant Chierici, will make a special report on the
conclusions reached by him from the point of view of ballistics.
(Signed)
(Signed)
(Signed)
(Signed)
Captain, Medical Corps.
Captain, Medical Corps.
L u i g i C h i e r i c i , Lieutenant, Artillery.
Members of the Board.
G i u s e p p e F e r a , Major, Medical Corps.
President.
F
rancesco
E
m anuele
F
errante,
R. M.
St o l e ,
S p l in t e r s
found
Appendix 16.
R
eport
on
the
E
x a m in a t io n
of
in
W
ounds.
Barentù, January 27th, 1936 — XIV.
All the wounds of the three askaris examined appear to have been produced by ordinary
projectiles from military small arms of calibre greater than 8 mm. ; only the wound in the shoulclei
of Askari A l i E s s e n suggests the use of non-regulation bullets.
A round fragment weighing about 2 grammes and two other minute fragments of lead were
extracted from the shoulder-wound ; the absence of fragments of casing justifies the conclusion
th a t the projectile which caused the wound wTas entirely of lead, and the shape of the fragment
suggests that, before being discharged, the projectile had a longitudinal incision made on the nose,
and possibly a. lateral incision halfway down.
It is not impossible th at the bullet was cased with one of the substances commonly used for
th at purpose, but in th at case the incisions referred to above may have detached the casing.
The extraction of the fragments which have presumably remained in the cavity will definitely
establish whether traces of a metal casing can be found or not.
From the dimensions and shape of the biggest fragment, and from the statem ents of the
wounded askari, it m ay be inferred that the bullet was fired from a W etterly 70-87 rifle, or more
probably from an F. Gras rifle, calibre 11.
We enclose the objects extracted from the wounds of Askari Ali Essen. The wooden splinters
come from the stock of the rifle from which the bullet glanced off.
(Signed) L u i g i C h i e r i c i ,
Lieutenant, Artillery.
Appendix 17.
F ragments e
tra cted
Askari A
from
t h e
i E ssen.
W ounds of
— 13 —
Appendix 18.
Headquarters, Second Army Corps.
Information Office.
Adowa, February n t h , 1936 — XIV.
To G.H.Q., East Africa,
Makale.
X 1 1 4 . 1.S. d i P r o t .
Subject :
W o u n d of A ir m a n R em o G h e z z i.
The following is communicated for your information :
At 5.30 p.m. on February 9th, Airman R. T. Remo Ghezzi, wounded by an enemy bullet
1 luring a flight over Tembien, was taken to the surgical station at Hospital 538 at Aksum in a
very serious condition due to acute secondary anaemia.
The entrance aperture was in the lower front part of the right leg, with an exit aperture higher
up on the inside of the leg, accompanied by a comminuted fracture of the tibia and fibula. The
bullet, after passing through the leg, entered the middle of the left thigh, causing an extensive and
comminuted open fracture of the femur. Fragments of a leaden bullet were taken from this wound.
The photographs show the entrance aperture (A) in the leg, the exit aperture (B), and the entrance
aperture (C) in the thigh, all of different dimensions.
The X-ray photograph taken post mortem shows th at other metal fragments are scattered in
the area of the fracture of the leg. The different size of the apertures, the presence of fragments of
he bullet and the gravity of the splintering of the bones clearly show that the projectile which
caused the wound was a dum-dum bullet.
(Signed) P . M a r a v i g n a ,
General Officer Commanding A rm y Corps.
Appendix 19.
W
ounds
from
a
D
u m -d u m
B
ullet
r e c eiv ed
by
A
irm a n
T h e b u lle t e n te re d a t A, w e n t o u t a t B, a n d then p e n e t r a t e d a t C.
R
emo
G
h ezzi.
(T em bien, F e b r u a r y <jth, 1936.)
-
14 -
Appendix 20.
W
ound
from
a
D
u m -d u m
B
ullet
r e c eiv ed
by
A
irm an
R
emo
G
hezzi.
D e ta il of figure sho w n in A p p e n d ix 19.
Appendix 21.
W
ound
from
a
D
u m -d u m
B
ullet
r e c eiv ed
by
A
irm an
D e ta il of figure sh o w n in A p p e n d ix 19.
R
emo
G h e z z i.
— 15 —
Appendix 22.
X -ray P
hotograph
of
R
the
ig h t
L
eg
of
A
irm a n
R
emo
G
h ezzi.
O bserve f r a g m e n ts of b u lle t — sh o w n b y arrow s — s c a tte r e d in th e a r e a of fra ctu re.
Appendix 23.
F
ragments
the
W
of
ound
B
of
ullet
A
ir m a n
extracted
R
emo
G
from
hezzi.
Appendix 24.
179th Field Hospital,
Surgical Division.
Native Section.
M u n t a z S a l im S c h o l l o ,
of the
27TH E
r it r e a n
B
a t t a l io n
of th e
C o l o n ia l C o r p s .
Wounded by a dum-dum bullet in the action at Enda Mariam on February 21st, 1936.
Admitted to this hospital on February 24th.
Gunshot wound with small entrance aperture at the back of the left arm. After travelling
a few centimetres in a straight line and only just under the skin, the bullet, completely missing
the bone, burst open the biceps, as shown in the attached photograph. In the photograph, the
shortness of the bullet’s track is clearly shown by the surgical probe.
[Signed) E.
l e s s a n d r i , 2nd Lieutenant,
Head of Division.
A
(Signed) C.
Gelanzé,
Director.
Captain,
— iô —
Appendix 25.
W ound
from
a
D u m -d um
B ullet
r e c e iv e d
by
I I untaz
Salim
Schollo.
( E n d a M ariam , F e b r u a r y 21st, 1936.)
Appendix 27.
W ound
by
from
a
D um -dum
C o rporal M ajor
B ullet
G io v a n n i
r e c e iv e d
In so li.
(Selaclacà, F e b r u a r y 29th, 1936.)
Appendix 26.
179th Field Hospital,
Surgical Divison.
C o r p o r a l -M a j o r G io v a n n i I n s o l i,
83R D I n f a n t r y R e g i m e n t , 3RD C o m p a n y .
Wounded on February 29th, 1936, near
Selaclacà.
Admitted to this hospital on March 10th,
1936Gunshot wound in the lower part of the
right arm, with a small entrance aperture
on the front of the arm and exit aperture at
the back. Track of the bullet goes straight
through, between the bones. At the exit
aperture, which is as big as a large hen’s egg,
the neighbouring muscles and tendons are
turned outward. Wound due to a bullet of
the misshapen or dum-dum type.
(Signed)
E . A l e s sa n d r i, 2 nd L ie u te n a n t,
Head of Division.
(Signed) C.
Gelanzé,
Director.
Captain,
— 17 —
179th Field Hospital,
Surgical Division.
Appendix 28.
C o r p o r a l A n g e l o S a r a c c o , 83RD I n f a n t r y R e g i m e n t , H e a d q u a r t e r s C o m p a n y .
Wounded on February 29th, 1936, by an explosive bullet at Selaclacà.
Entered this hospital on March n t h , 1936.
Compound wound in the upper part of the left knee. The explosion of the projectile, evidence
of which is provided by the burns on the outer tissues, produced three large cavities, in which
various metallic fragments were found. The central lesion completely destroyed the proximal
epiphysis of the fibula, also completely destroying a long stretch of the external popliteal sciatic
nerve, rendering any repair thereof surgically impossible.
(S.) E. A l e s s a n d r i , 2nd Lieut., Head of Division.
(S.) C. G e l a n z é , Captain, Director.
Appendix 29.
W
D
ound
from
u m -d u m
B ullet
R E C E I V E D BY
' ORPORAL A n g e l o
Saracco.
(Selaclacà,
F e b r u a r y 29th,
1936.)
179th Field Hospital,
Surgical Section.
P r iv a te B r u n o
G ia m pa o l i, Son
Appendix 30.
of
A l f r e d o , 83RD I n f a n t r y
2nd Com pany.
R e g im e n t , is t B a t ta lio n ,
Wounded on February 29th, 1936, at Selaclacà. Admitted to this hospital on March 10th, 1936.
W'ound made by explosive or dum-dum bullet with small entrance on the outer side of the
lower third of the right leg. Course of wound does not affect bones or joint. Exit 25 cm. long and
10 cm. wide, as in photograph. The lesion affects the whole tendo Achillis region with complete
destruction of the tendon, from the head of the gastrocnemius down to the insertion in the heel-bone
(calcaneus process). This man has also another gunshot wound with its entrance on the inner
side of the left leg and its exit on the outer side, with a perfectly transverse course through the
flexor muscular tissue and part of the adductor muscular tissue. The enormous gape of the
wound shows the large calibre of the bullet.
(S.) E. A l e s s a n d r i , 2nd Lieut., Head of Division.
(S.) C. G e l a n z é , Captain, Director.
Appendix 31.
W
ound
by
a
B
P
D
ullet
riv a te
G
caused
u m -d u m
B
on
runo
ia m pa o li.
(Selaclacà,
F e b r u a r y 29th,
1936.)
— i8 —
Appendix 33.
Appendix 32.
W
ound
Cesare
caused
B
by
o n in i.
a
D
u m -d u m
B
ullet
(Selaclacà, F e b r u a r y
on
29th,
P rivât
19 36.)
179th Field Hospital,
Surgical Section.
P r i v a t e C e s a r e B o n i n i , 83RD I n f a n t r y
R e g im e n t , i s t B a t t a l io n , is t Co m pa n y .
Wounded on February 29th, 1936, in
the action at Selaclacà.
Admitted to this hospital on March
10th, 1936.
Gunshot wound with small entrance
on the posterior side of the middle third
of the left forearm. Bullet passed between
the bones. Exit on the other side of the
anterior surface of the forearm, as large
as the palm of a child’s hand. The wound
is undoubtedly due to an explosive or
dum-dum bullet.
(Signed) E.
(Signed) C.
2nd Lieut.,
Head of Division.
A l e s sa n d r i,
Captain,
Director
Gelanzé,
Appendix 35.
Appendix 34
W
ound
G
179th Field Hospital,
Surgical Division.
P r i v a t e G i n o N e r i , 83RD I n f a n t r y
R e g i m e n t , 4TH C o m p a n y .
Adm itted to this hospital on March
10th, 1936.
Gunshot wound, with entrance on
the inside of the left arm and exit in
the middle and on the outside of the arm;
fracture of the humerus. The exit
aperture, which is large and gaping and
has the edges turned outwards, shows
that the wound was due to a rifle-bullet
of the expanding, or dum-dum, type.
(Signed) E.
(Signed) C.
2nd Lieut.,
Head of Division.
A l e s sa n d r i,
Captain,
Director.
G elanzé,
from
in o
N
D
u m -d u m
er i.
B
ullet
r e c eiv ed
(Selaclacà, F e b r u a r y
29th,
by
P
1936.)
riva te
-
19 —
Appendix 37.
A o o en di x 36
W
ound
’
A
from
n to n io
D u m -d u m B u l l e t
F a m X. (Selaclacà,
r e c eiv ed
M arch
Field Hospital,
surgical Division.
1 7 0 th
B l a c k s h i r t A n t o n i o F a m X,
230T H L e g i o n ,
3 r d (“ A p r i l 2 i s t ” ) D i v i s i o n .
Wounded on the morning of March
j id near Selaclacà by a rifle-bullet of the
explosive type.
Traumatic am putation of the third
a i d fourth fingers of the left hand, at the
: etacarpo-phalangea! joint. Great lacer; rion of the tissues of the palm and back
of the hand, scorched by the explosion.
The wound is full of small metal splinters,
clue to the explosion of the projectile.
(Signed) E.
(Signed) C.
Lieut.,
Head of Division.
A lessa n d r i, 2 nd
Captain,
Director.
Gelanzé,
Appendix 38.)
Label
o f
X>n e
K
of
the
y n o c h ’s ,
P
ackets
of
captured
D
u m -d u m
on
the
N
(Soft
orthern
N
ose
F
) B
ront
ullets
from
.
*0
BALL CARTRIDGES
FOR
'
C O R B IT E .
SOFT noa SOLID BULUÎ
KYNOCH
LiniTED
WITTON, BIRMINGHAM
V!
$ 'S& c'k
Ik
flElÉ
P r iv a te
19 3 6 .)
by
2nd,
wSSmm
— 20 —
Appendix 39.
D u m -d u m (S o f t N o s e ) B u l l e t ,
CONT AINED IN O N E OF TH E P A C K ET S
b ea r in g
K y n o c h ’s L a b e l , c a p t u r e d o n
the N orthern F ront.
(N ote th e lea d e n nose, w i t h o u t easing, a n d
th e le tte rs K -C -Y l s t a m p e d on th e base.
Appendix 40.
D um -dum
th e
B u lle t
Ita lia n
cap tu red
T roops.
b y
N o te t h e p e r f o ra t e d nose a n d th e
l o n g itu d in a l slit.
Appendix 41.
D
u m -d u m
B
N
ullet
captured
orthern
F
ront
on
the
.
N ote the lea d e n nose, w ith o u t casing, a n d
t h e s t a m p s * D * 0.3 x 62 on t h e base.
—
21
—
A ppendi x 42.
D u m -d u m
B
N
ullet
captured
orthern
F
on
the
.
ront
<ote th e l e a d e n nose, w ith o u t casing, a n d
he s ta m p s 9 x 5 7 — 49 t A — D -W -M o n
t h e base.
Appendix 43.
D
u m -d u m
B ullet captured
N orthern F ront.
on
the
ote th e l e a d e n nose, w ith o u t c as in g , a n d
s ta m p s 474 C — K - K — D -W -M
on
t h e base.
he
P
Appendix 44.
D
u m -d u m
B
N
ullet
captured
orthern
F
ront
on
the
.
ote th e larg e c alib re a n d th e u p p e r
e x tr e m ity of le a d w ith o u t casing.
— 22 —
Appendix 45 .
D u m -d u m B u l l e t c a p t u r e d o n t h e
N o r th ern F r o n t , sim ila r to t h e
P rev io u s
On e, but
w ith
D iffe r e n t
Stamps on t h e B a s e .
N ote th e large calibre, t h e u p p e r
e x tre m ity of lead w ith o u t casing, a n d th e
incision on th e nose.
Appendix 46.
D
u m -d u m
B ullet captured
So u th er n F ro n t .
on
the
N o te th e p e rfo ra te d nose a n d th e s ta m p s
K-C-VI c o rresponding to th o se on th e
K y n o c h b u lle ts ; cf. A p p e n d ix 39.
e
— 23 —
Appendix 47.
D
u m -d u m
B
ullets
co n ta in ed
in
the
after
B
the
a n d o lier
B
attle
of
of
an
L
ake
A
A
b y ssin ia n
sh a n g i.
N o te t h e p e r f o r a t e d noses.
So ld ier
taken
P
riso n er
— 24 —
Appendix 48.
D
um
-d u m
B
ullets
co n ta in ed
in
after
the
the
B
a n d o lier
Battle
of
of
an
L
ake
A by ssin ia n
A sh a n g i.
So ld ier
taken
P
riso n er
T he first b u l le t on th e left is s t a m p e d E .C .II, sh o w in g t h a t i t is a n E le y b u lle t; th e o th e r s are s t a m p e d K-C- I_
like th e b u lle ts m a d e b y K y n o c h 's : cf. A p p e n d ix 39.