Military History Tours Australia About Australians in the Western Desert 1940 - 1943 and 1915 - 1916
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Benito Mussolini wanted to regain for Italy an empire that would rival that ro ancient Rome. In 1940 Italy already had possessions in northern Africa, Libya to the west of Egypt and Ethiopia (then known as Abyssinia) to the east. The Italians saw lightly defended Egypt as an easy prize.
In September 1941 Marshal Graziani’s Italian armies crossed the Egyptian frontier from Libya. The outnumbered British frontier force fell back in good order, Rolls-Royce armoured cars fighting a textbook rear-guard action.
The Italians were advancing with 250,000 troops; to defend Egypt there were 4 divisions, 4th Indian, 6th Australian, 7th British Armoured and 1st British Cavalry (still horse mounted), and the 4th NS Brigade (around 50,000 troops). The Australians and New Zealanders were en-route to Europe, and using Egypt and Palestine (the Brit commander Wavell had placed the Australians in Palestine to keep them out of the flesh pots of Cairo). The counter-attack to reverse the Italian advance into Egypt was to be conducted by the Indian and British Armoured divisions, the Australians and New Zealanders being regarded as not yet fully trained. Forcing the Italians out of Egypt fell to the 4th Indian and 7th Armoured Divisions. Under command of a British officer, Lieutenant-General O’Connor, the force attacked the Italians at Mersa Matruth on 9 December 1940. The Indian infantry in New Zealand lorries advancing steadily westward along the coast, the armoured cars enveloping the retreating Italians and disrupting their withdrawal by thrusting inland.
After this success requirement to contain Italian forces to the east meant the Indians were needed elsewhere. The 6th Australian commanded by Major General Ivan Mackay was to replace the 4th Indian for the advance into Libya. Rome Radio described the first major strong point, the port city of Bardia as an “impregnable fortress” defended by 400 artillery pieces and 45,000 troops. The outer defences were strong, 30 kilometres of blockhouses, minefields and obstacles including barbed wire and a tank ditch.
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In the early hours of 3 January 1941 members of 2nd /1st Battalion Australian Imperial Force moved up in darkness to the white taped start line. They were burdened with extra ammunition, entrenching tools, rations and wearing greatcoats against the bitter cold. General Mackay was a meticulous planner, and insisted the soldiers carried every “just-in-case” item. H-hour was 05:30, they moved forward on a 300 metre front, following a creeping barrage provided by British and Australian artillery. Within half an hour they had breached the tank ditch, broken the wire, and taken the covering Italian blockhouses. Following pioneers worked at fever pitch to flatten out the banks of the trench so that tanks could cross. At 07:00 a squadron of Matilda tanks from the 7th Armoured entered the breach, each tank with a section of the 2nd/2nd Battalion following closely behind. Six Italian tanks attacked the force but were quickly disabled by high explosive squash head fire from the Matilda’s 2 pounders. By noon the entire 16th Brigade was through the breach, the 2nd/6th Battalion on the right flank encountering very heavy resistance; ultimately they charged across a wide waddy, and by dusk were clinging to a front of 400 metres at its northern edge. Its losses were very heavy.
By nightfall the Australians had advanced a kilometre into Bardia’s defences. The following day the tanks reached the coast and Bardia was cut in two. .At 13:30 on 5 January, all resistance ended. For a toll of 130 killed and 326 wounded the British and Australians had taken more than 40,000 prisoners, 127 tanks and 400 guns. The Italian commander of the “fortress” General Bergonzoli had decamped to Tobruk 90 kilometres to the west.
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By the end of hostilities st Bardia, the 7th Armoured was already surrounding the next major town, or “port city”, Tobruk. Like Bardia it was ringed with barbed wire and machine-gun posts, but the garrison was weaker. As a prelude to the assault, the British Mediterranean fleet bombarded the town, and just before dawn on 21 January 1941, the 2nd/3rd Battalion of 16 Brigade AIF followed by the 2nd/1st and two from 17 Brigade attacked. The engineers bridged the tank ditch and the Italian tanks (only 12 survivors of the consistent mechanical failure they had experienced) emblazoned with 6 Div Kangaroos burst through. Just before 08:00, the 19th Brigade followed through, against heavy machine-gun fire and Italian tanks dug-in in hull down positions. By dusk the 2nd/4th had captured the Italian Headquarters. The Italians finally surrendered on 22 January, with the commander 19 Brigade Brigadier Robertson accepting the sword of an Italian admiral.
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The astonishing advance continued the 6th Div Cavalry, back in bren-gun carriers after the demise of their Italian tanks and carrying the 2nd/11th Battalion took Derna as a on 29 January. The 17th Brigade entered Giovani Berta on 2 February , the 19th Barce on 5 February. In light drizzle on 6 February the soldiers entered a deserted Benghasi. Brigadier Robertson again accepted the surrender, this time from the Mayor. The Italians were heading south in disorder. The 7th Armoured headed to cut them off, low on petrol and plagued by breakdowns they made it to Beda Fomm where on 7 February 1941 they took the surrender of more than 20,000 Italian soldiers, 1,500 vehicles, 20 guns and 100 tanks.
At this point the British advance was halted. Churchill had a requirement to defend Greece, the the newly proven 6th Australian Division was to be the instrument.
Two newly arrived divisions were to take over the garrisoning of the prizes won in North Africa, the British 2nd Armoured, and the Australian 9th. The enemy vista had also changed. Germany had sent two armoured divisions under the command of the soon to be legendary General Erwin Rommel. On 31 March 1941 Rommel’s force attacked at Mersa Bega, all but destroying the fighting capability of the 2nd Armoured. After a tough stand, however, the 9th Division was able to withdraw in good order.
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On 8 April General Wavell met the rather dishevelled Major General Leslie Morsehead, a banker from Sydney . Wavell is quoted as saying “I rely on you to hold Tobruk for eight weeks”. What happened then is the stuff of legend.
On the 11th of April, Rommel approached Tobruk and expected it to crumble under his assault as so many had crumbled before. He surrounded the port city from three sides and instructed his soldiers to make more dust than usual in order to strike fear into their opponents and exaggerate the size of their force.
The odds were stacked against the Australians. The Axis force was twice its size and it was commanded by a general who had never been defeated in battle. Despite the long odds, the members of the 9th Division never entertained the idea of retreat or surrender.
General Morsehead also had plans. He recognised that if the attacking tanks could be separated from the following infantry, the tanks would be vulnerable to direct artillery fire. They were. On 13 April 13 out of the 38 attacking German tanks were destroyed and the attack was repulsed German armour had been defeated for the first tome in World War 2. On that Day Corporal Edmondson of the 2nd 17th Battalion won the first Australian Victoria cross of World War 2; the award was posthumous.
The siege was to last eight months. General Morsehead made an impregnable fortress out of the flat featureless seaport. Half of the force held the outer perimeter, the “Red Line”. About three kilometres behind them a second ring of defences the “Blue Line” With most of the remaining combat forces, and around the harbour lay a further defence ring with a reserve brigade, headquarters, and the available tanks and armoured cars. Subjected to ceaseless attack by the Luftwaffe the soldiers dug, everything went underground the soldiers waiting in their trenches and caves to push back the next German ground attack.
Tobruk had by now been by passed by the Axis forces, still it held out.
With blitzkrieg failing, Rommel held off from further attacks. He then started training his soldiers in the art of siege warfare. Integral to this warfare was propaganda. The Germans aimed to wear down the Australian moral. The Nazis had discovered that Germans responded to words of optimism, success, freedom, supremacy and excellence. Consequently, they described the Australians as the complete opposite in the belief that it would lower the Australian moral. They likened the fighting style of the Australians to that of a rat; a vermin that steals from the shadows. The propaganda expressed supreme confidence that the German victory was assured and the Australian defeat imminent as the "rats" were caught in a German trap.
Naively, the Germans failed to appreciate that propaganda that would demoralize a German would motivate an Australian.
Whereas German mythology celebrated refinement and class, the Australians identified with the battler whom demonstrated that even in defeat, victory can be achieved. A battler has been defined as someone who: "thrust doggedly onwards: starting again, failing again, implacably thrusting towards success. For success, even if it only the success of knowing that one has tried to the utmost and never surrendered, is the target of every battler"
As they identified with the battler, the Australians knew that as long as they continued to make trouble, they were achieving success. If they kept saving their mates, they were achieving success. Most importantly, if they tried their utmost against the odds and never surrendered, they had achieved success. Consequently, the German prediction of failure merely gave the Australian soldiers more incentive to persevere. In the words of Chester Wilmot: ' Berlin Radio made a fatal mistake in trying to jibe and scare the Australian soldier into surrender. The longer the odds Lord Haw Haw offered against the Diggers chance of getting out, the more heavily the digger backed himself."
During their reaction time, the Australians like to play a spot of cricket against the British. It was a good way of keeping their spirits up. Owing to some occupation hazards of the time, special rules needed to be drawn up in order to adapt to situation.
July 30, 1941 - Rules of cricket between Australia 's 20th Brigade and Britain 's 107 Royal Horse Artillery
Rule 2. Play to be continuous until 1800 hours, except by interference by air raids. Play will NOT, rpt NOT cease during shell fire.
Rule 4. Shirts, shorts, long socks, sand shoes if available. ITI (Italian) Helmets will not be worn or any other fancy head gear. Umpires will wear white coat (if available) and will carry loaded rifle with fixed bayonet.
Rule 6. All players to be searched for concealed weapons before start of play, and all weapons found, other than S T grenades, Mills bombs, & revolvers will be confiscated. (This does not apply to umpires.)
Rule 8. Manager will make medical arrangements & have ambulance in attendance.
The Australian soldiers had shown great mental strength in Tobruk, but there were physiological limits that their mind could not push their body through. In response to reports their health had been suffering, in the summer of 1941, John Curtin, the Australian Prime Minister, ordered the withdrawal of Australian troops. As they were withdrawn, they were replaced by British, Polish and Czech soldiers. A short time late, the city fell.
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There followed an ebb and flow in the war. The Axis forces made it into Egypt on two occasions. By the time of the Battle of Alamein on 23 October 1942, the world had turned for Australia. The 6th Division had been driven from Greece. The Japanese had taken Singapore and were threatening our homeland. Only one of our Divisions remained in North Africa. The 9th now part of the British 8th Army under General; Montgomery was to play a key part in this battle to start the push that had the Axis forces withdraw from Africa.
Australian Divisional Cavalry Regiments were now Tank Regiments. In order to relieve pressure on the allied advance west from Al Elamein at Ruweisat, a squadron of 9 Div Cav Regt commanded by Capt Fyffe with Crusader tanks and 44 RTR with Valentine tanks were tasked to conducted flank protection for a 2/32 Bn silent night attack on Trig 22, Makh Khad Ridge and then at dawn pass through their position with 2/43 Bn to exploit 5,000 metres towards Ruin Ridge Acting as part of the left flank protection 9 Div Cav Regt manoeuvred its 7 Crusader tanks and 15 carriers under direct enemy observation and anti-tank fire to knock out some anti-tank guns and machine gun posts. This was the regiment’s first tank action.
During the operations of an Australian Infantry Brigade to the South of Tel El Eisa Railway Station between 17/19 July 1942, Captain Fyffe, whilst in command of a composite squadron of crusader tanks and universal carriers of this regiment attached to the army tank brigade, displayed exceptional leadership, courage and devotion to duty. This was the first tank action ever fought by an Australian Unit, and much depended on Captain Fyffe’s leadership. At dawn on 17 July under direct enemy observation and anti-tank fire, captain Fyffe successfully manoeuvred his squadron to its objective, knocking out anti-tank guns and machine gun posts and generally assisting the advance and consolidation of an Australian Infantry Battalion by engaging the enemy with machine gun and two pounder fire, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. When enemy shelling became intense he calmly directed troop dispositions, sometimes on foot, and during the period of tank casualties he personally organised the evacuation of the wounded. In general, during the whole of the operation Captain Fyfe, by his cheerful example and willingness to take many personal risks, inspired his squadron to achive a very fine and successful effort. As a result Captain Fyfe was awarded a Military Cross.
On the morning of 17th July 1942 at Tel El Eisa, Trooper Masterson was Gunner in the Crusader tank commanded by Lieutenant I.D.D. Crompton. During the move forward, while under anti-tank fire, the tank unexpectedly came upon a well concealed enemy anti-tank gun at a range of approximately 30 metres. Trooper Masterson immediately engaged the target with the Besa gun, causing two casualties. After firing about 20 rounds the Besa gun jammed badly. Trooper Masterson with the greatest calmness, endeavoured to clear the gun, but was unsuccessful. During the time the remainder of the crew were bringing the anti-tank gun to bear on the target. Trooper Masterson then engaged the target with the 2 pounder, causing one further casualty and also damaging the gun with a direct hit. Trooper Masterson’s great calmness, skill and efficiency as a gunner contributed to the successful annihilation of the gun. Trooper Masterson was awarded an Military Medal.
The bombardment commenced at 21:40 hrs, the infantry assault at 22:00. By dawn the 2nd/13th and 2nd/48th Battalions had reached the second line of the German and Italian defences, and were joined by British tanks. The battle soon focused on the Australian sector. Rommel was to write on the progress of a German counter attack in these terms ”Unfortunately, the attack gained ground slowly,. The enemy [Australia’s 9th Division] resisted desperately. Rivers of blood were poured out over miserable strips of land.
On 30 October the 9th again attacked, two battalions attempting to cut the coast road while another pushed north to encircle an enemy pocket. Reminiscent of World War 1 casualty lists, the 2nd/24th and 2nd/48th, 1,300 strong at the beginning of the conflict were reduced to a strength of 95, they had taken 544 prisoners.
These few now defending a feature called “the saucer” were soon reinforced and withstood three tank led attacks on 31st October. On 2nd November the enemy counter attacks slackened, and to the South our troops could hear the artillery barrage that was to herald “Operation Supercharge”.
The 9th Division was withdrawn from the front to await shipping home for the Defence of Australia.
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The conventional side of this campaign lasted from Nov 1915-Dec 1916. Although the main engagements were fought Dec 1915-Mar 1915.
Some patrolling (mainly British Coys of the ICC) went on until 1919.
Involved the Senussi1, a radical Islamic group who settled in the Libya/ Western Desert area of Egypt in the 1840s.
Turkish and German agents encouraged them to attack the British throughout 1915 and supplied them with field guns and Maxim type MMGs as well as ‘advisors’
Senussi were initially reluctant as many thought they would ‘get cleaned up’.
Defeat of the British at Gallipoli and intelligence from spies in Cairo that the British were calling most of their troops back to Europe (including Colonial troops who were said to be of suspect quality eg Australians etc) to deal with their failure in France emboldened them to strike.
British policy of prosecuting the war against Turkey was vague. The local commander Gen Maxwell was warned that his role was to defend the canal and if he lost troops chasing the Turk he could expect no more. The Palestine campaign was not on the agenda at this point. The Senussi believed he could not defend the canal and commit troops to stop them.
16 Aug 1915 Two British submarines sheltering in a bay on the Libyan coast were fired on by Arabs commanded by a white officer.
November 1915 crews of two torpedoed ships HMT MOORINA and HMS TARA (90 pax) landed in Cyrenaica and were taken prisoner and shuffled of as slaves into the desert. Diplomatic efforts met with no response.
Sollum was shelled by German U boats.
Senussi in December made a three pronged assault into Egypt
a. Down the coast road forcing the British out of Sollum and Sidi Barrani and closing on Mersa Matruh and taking Siwa oasis.
b. Into central Egypt capturing the oases of Baharani, Farafra, Dakhla and Khage
c. Into northern Sudan
The British hurriedly assembled a scratch force of a Corps (-)
In the north a divisional size force under Maj Gen A Wallace was assembled at Matruh. Whilst the composition would change as more regularly organised units became available, the first was totally ersatz. 1 Bde of Infantry guarding L of C. , Composite Cavalry Bde, Composite Infantry Bde, 2x batteries RHA, RNAS armoured cars (Major the Duke of Westminster), 17squadron RFC.
Australian Component
a. 1st Composite Light Horse Regiment under command of T/Lt Col the Hon D H R Pelham, 4th son of the Earl of Yarborough (ex 10th Hussars).
b. 1st Aust Div Train (-)
c. Signal section from 1st LH Brigade
d. Total about 560 men all up
11 Dec 1915 engagement at Wadi Merjwa/Wadi Senab or Senba
13 Dec 1915 engagement at Wadi el Hasheifiat (Troopers Sydney Baker and George Hicks); Light Horse padre, Captain William Devine (Roman Catholic PP St Pauls Coburg Vic) took up a rifle to protect wounded of the Royal Scots from being murdered by the Senussi, he would go on to be awarded an MC and Croix de Guerre in France. Both these actions in the general area of Mersa Matruh. With the Royal Scots pinned down an urgent heliograph was sent to the supply column for a MG section to be sent forward, so urgent was the summons that the OC of the column led a mixed group of ASC and Royal Scots Tpt Pl soldiers forward to assist. Their arrival on the flank of the Senussi caused the enemy to bolt. 5 Australians from the ASC were wounded.
18 Dec 1915 one Australian, Trooper Henry Hausknecht wounded on patrol
Lt Claude Edward Thomas 4 Coy AASC DivTrain died of wounds received 13-12-1915 on 16-12-1915 in hospital Alexandria received GSW to pelvis which tore open bladder. He led the ASC counter attack that I mentioned on 13/12/1915. He was posthumously Mentioned in Despatches
25 December 1915 action at Wadi Majid. Trooper Henry Creed of A squadron 1st Aust Comp LH kia - only other Australian death of campaign. Trooper Albert Roberts was wounded.
Heavy rain over nearly a month turns desert into a mud bath. Armoured cars severely restricted.
23 -25 Jan 1916 Wallace decides to strike after RFC locates enemy camp 56 kilometres to SE at Halazin. Signaller Percy Nance awarded MID for staying at his post under heavy fire and keeping HQ signals on the air. Senussi pushed back from Matruh. Wounded Sgt Albert Maxwell, Troopers Thomas Busby and Albert Wyatt. Enemy numbers were assessed at 5000, including 1200 in units commanded by Turkish officers, 4 field guns and some MMGs.
9 Feb 1916 Composite LH Regt withdrawn and disbanded, Gen Wallace requests replacement due to ill
health - Maj General Peyton appointed to command. T/Lt Col Pelham - MID, Sgt Albert Maxwell - Italian Bronze Medal., Sig Percy Nance MID
26 Feb 1916 Battle of Agagia (22 kilometres SE of Sidi Barrani)
9 March 1916 No 1 (Aust) Coy Imperial Camel Corps joins the fight.
14 March 1916 Enemy evacuates Sollum
In following days attempts to delay British at Bir Asiso, enemy camels provided a sight when those carrying petrol were ignited by shells. Enemy smashed particularly by armoured cars. Following action OC cars Major H R A Grosvenor-Duke of Westminster receives reports of where British prisoners captured in November are being held. Takes his vehicles, 9 RR armoured cars, 1 Ford MG vehicle and 36 B vehicles on a (wild) 190 kilometre drive (behind enemy lines) to Bir Hakkim to rescue prisoners. Prisoners had been told that they would be shot if Britain attempted a rescue. Receives DSO plus much press coverage for feat. Sets tone for use of ACs and cars for rest of Palestine campaign.
Formal resistance collapses although guerrilla activity will last another 12 months. Camel Corps would continue patrols until 1919.
Central campaign checked by deployment of 1st ALH bde and British Inf Brigade under General Hodgson ALH. Oases recaptured by March 1917 by Camel Corps, armoured cars and Light Car Patrols including 1st Australian Light Car Patrol (each patrol had six Ford T models with a pintle mounted Lewis Gun and several motorcycles-sounds like Special Air Service!)
Sudan raid defeated by local British and Sudanese troops.
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1 The Senussi refers to a Muslim political-religious order in Libya and Sudan founded in Mecca in 1837 by the Grand Senussi, Sayyid Muhammad ibn Ali as-Senussi. Senussi was concerned with both the decline of Islamic thought and spirituality and the weakening of Muslim political integrity.
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AK Macdonald Australians at War www.fivemile.com.au
www.convictcreations.com/history/tobruk.htm
Royal Australian Armoured Corps Historical Section records.
New South Wales Lancers Memorial Museum Photograph collection
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John Howells, David Deasey 2010
