Early Life and Education
Aurelio Liotta was born on 10 November 1886 in Sant'Agata di Militello, Kingdom of Italy, into an aristocratic family. Initially steered toward religious studies by his parents, he chose a military career instead. In November 1906, Liotto enrolled at the Military Academy of Modena, specializing in aeronautics, and graduated as a second lieutenant on 4 September 1908.
Military Career
World War I and Interwar Period
After promotion to lieutenant in September 1911, Liotta served in Libya during the Italo‑Turkish War (1911–1912). Following repatriation, he was assigned to a bicycle battalion and later transferred to the Royal Italian Army’s 8th Bersaglieri Regiment. With Italy’s entry into World War I in May 1915, Liotta advanced to captain (July 1915) and entered pilot training at Cascina Costa in January 1916, earning his pilot license by February 1916. He served as an instructor and held command positions at various airfields, attaining the rank of major in August 1917. By the war’s end, he commanded the 8th Air Group and later the 116th Squadron stationed in Albania.
Post‑war Service
In the early 1920s Liotta held several staff and command posts within the Regia Aeronautica (Royal Italian Air Force). He was promoted to lieutenant colonel (October 1923) and subsequently to colonel (July 1927), air brigade general (September 1931), and air division general (October 1933). In 1936 he attained the rank of air fleet general (air marshal).
Colonial and World War II Service
From December 1936, Liotta commanded the Italian East African Air Force Command. He participated in aerial operations against Ethiopian guerrillas during the Second Italo‑Ethiopian War and was seriously wounded on 19 February 1937 during an assassination attempt on Viceroy Rodolfo Graziani in Addis Ababa, losing his right eye and a leg. For shielding Graziani, he received the Gold Medal of Military Valor.
After recovery, Liotta served as military aeronautical attaché at the Italian Embassy in Berlin (April 1938) and was appointed a Senator of the Kingdom of Italy on 5 April 1939. During World War II he led the Special Air Service Command until his retirement from active service in 1941 due to age limits. Following the war, the High Court of Justice for Sanctions against Fascism stripped him of his senatorial title.
Awards and Honors
Liotta’s decorations include:
- Gold Medal of Military Valor (Italy)
- Silver Medals of Military Valor (twice)
- War Merit Cross (Italy)
- Military Order of Savoy
- Order of the Crown of Italy
- Colonial Order of the Star of Italy
- Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus
- French Legion of Honour
Personal Life and Death
While serving in Berlin, Liotta married Elena Steiman. He died on 26 March 1948 in Messina, Italy, at the age of 61.
Legacy
Aurelio Liotta is remembered as a senior officer of the Italian Air Force who participated in multiple conflicts spanning the early 20th century, including both world wars and colonial campaigns, and whose career was marked by rapid advancement, notable combat service, and numerous military honors.