 Two years later he was promoted to the rank of colonel as commander of Italy's 3rd Cavalry Regiment, the "Savoia Cavalleria".During the early years of World War II, he took part in some actions against France, and was then named commander of the school of cavalry in Pinerolo.In September 1943, he was named commander of the rebuilt Armoured division "Ariete", one of the strongest divisions of the Regio Esercito.