Battle of El Agheila
Encyclopedia
The Battle of El Agheila was a minor engagement in North Africa during the Second World War. It took place in December 1942 between Allied forces (British 8th Army
) led by Bernard Law Montgomery and Axis
forces (German-Italian Panzer Army) led by Erwin Rommel
, during the Axis' long withdrawal from El Alamein
to Tunis
. It ended with a full Axis retreat into Tunisia
.
On 4 November 1942, Rommel decided finally to end the desperate fighting at El Alamein
and withdrew west toward Libya
. In doing so, he defied the "Stand to the last" orders of Adolf Hitler
, in order to save the remainder of his force. Rommel's forces reached the village of Fuka the next day. Italian forces had arrived earlier (they withdrew from El Alamein
on 3–4 November) and they had formed a defensive line. However, the Italians resumed their withdrawal on the same day and. after a successful Allied attack, the Germans followed them. Montgomery rested some of his formations after their efforts at El Alamein
and pursued mainly with the 7th Armoured Division and 4th Light Armoured Brigade.
Rain on the afternoon of 6 November impeded the British pursuit as the Axis forces continued their withdrawal and a new defence line was established at Marsa Matruh
the following day, some 110 mi (177 km) west of El Alamein. Rommel received a warning from Hitler of an expected Allied landing between Tobruk
, and Benghazi
, but on 8 November Rommel discovered that this was wrong. Instead, there were Anglo-American landings in Morocco and Algeria (Operation Torch
). Facing the prospect of a large Allied force to his rear, he decided to withdraw in one bound to El Agheila.
Axis forces evacuated Sidi Barrani
on 9 November and Halfaya Pass
(on the Libyan-Egyptian border) on 11 November, thereby abandoning Egypt. The whole of Cyrenaica
was evacuated without serious resistance. However, Rommel wanted to retain Tobruk
for as long as possible, to save 10000 ST (9,071.8 t) of equipment, but it fell to the British on 13 November. An attempt by Montgomery to trap the Tobruk garrison by an enciclement toward Acroma
—west of Tobruk—failed and the garrison evacuated toward Benghazi, almost intact. Meanwhile, Derna and its airfield Martuba
were captured on 15 November. Martuba's capture was particularly welcome to the British as they were thus able to provide air cover for an essential Malta convoy on 18 November. Axis forces had now withdrawn 400 mi (643.7 km) in 10 days.
Despite the importance of the Port of Benghazi
to the Axis supply chain, Rommel had to evacuate the town in order to avoid the possibility of a repeat of the disastrous entrapment suffered by the Italians at the Battle of Beda Fomm in February 1941. Regretfully, Rommel ordered the destruction of the port facilities and materiel
in Benghazi, writing afterward:
Benghazi was occupied by the British on 20 November. Three days later, the Axis forces evacuated Ajdabiya
and fell back to Brega
.
During their withdrawal to Brega, the Axis forces faced many difficulties, including British air superiority which allowed them to target the Axis supply columns, crowding of the Axis forces on the coastal road and a shortage of fuel. In order to delay the British advance at any cost, Axis sapper
s laid mine
s in the Brega area. To delay clearance, helmets were laid to mislead British mine detectors.
on 11 December and, consequently, historians have paid little attention to this period. However, Rommel described in it detail in his memoirs. There were disagreements with his political and military superiors and he engaged in fruitless bitter arguments with Hitler
, Göring
, Kesselring
(German commander of the Mediterranean theatre), Cavallero
(Italian chief of staff), and Bastico
(Governor of Libya). Rommel's idea was to withdraw to Tunis
as soon as possible, while they wanted to stand at the Brega line as long as possible.
Meanwhile, the British had their own difficulties. They had to supply their own forces over a long distance from Egypt
to Ajdabiya
. The Alexandria
to Tobruk
section of 440 mi (708.1 km) was relatively easy as there is a railway between them. By contrast, although the section from Tobruk to Agedabia is shorter (390 mi (627.6 km)), supplying the British forces was much more difficult in this section, as materiel had to be carried either by the Via Balbia
road, or by sea (first to Benghazi, then to Ajdabiya).
For a substantial part of the pursuit to El Agheila, the British commanders were uncertain of Rommel's intentions. They had been caught out in earlier campaigns by an enemy that had drawn them on and then counter-attacked. Montgomery had intended to build his army's morale by banishing the habit of defeat and retreat and, to this end, two divisions1st Armoured Division and 2nd New Zealand Division were held at Bardia, resting and providing a defence line in case of necessity. Despite Rommel's concerns of entrapment by a rapid Allied advance across the Cyrenaica bulge, Montgomery was aware that an extended and isolated force could be vulnerable, as demonstrated in early 1941 and early 1942. When a reconnaissance force was sent across country, it became delayed by water-logged ground and a subsequent, stronger force was fought off.
On 13 December, Axis reconnaissance aircraft discovered some 300 vehicles north of Marada oasis (75 mi (120.7 km) south of El Agheila), which meant for the Axis forces the danger of being outflanked, so the withdrawal continued. Meanwhile, in the north, a British attack was held back by the Italians.
On 15–16 December, isolated engagements occurred between the two combatants. On 17 December, the bulk of the German forces withdrew from El Agheila
.
On 18 December, short-lived but fierce fighting took place at Nofaliya (100 mi (160.9 km) west of El Agheila), which brought the battle of El Agheila to an end.
, but under pressure from his superiors he established a new defensive line at Buerat.
Eighth Army (United Kingdom)
The Eighth Army was one of the best-known formations of the British Army during World War II, fighting in the North African and Italian campaigns....
) led by Bernard Law Montgomery and Axis
Axis Powers
The Axis powers , also known as the Axis alliance, Axis nations, Axis countries, or just the Axis, was an alignment of great powers during the mid-20th century that fought World War II against the Allies. It began in 1936 with treaties of friendship between Germany and Italy and between Germany and...
forces (German-Italian Panzer Army) led by Erwin Rommel
Erwin Rommel
Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel , popularly known as the Desert Fox , was a German Field Marshal of World War II. He won the respect of both his own troops and the enemies he fought....
, during the Axis' long withdrawal from El Alamein
El Alamein
El Alamein is a town in the northern Matrouh Governorate of Egypt. Located on the Mediterranean Sea, it lies west of Alexandria and northwest of Cairo. As of 2007, it has a local population of 7,397 inhabitants.- Climate :...
to Tunis
Tunis
Tunis is the capital of both the Tunisian Republic and the Tunis Governorate. It is Tunisia's largest city, with a population of 728,453 as of 2004; the greater metropolitan area holds some 2,412,500 inhabitants....
. It ended with a full Axis retreat into Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
.
Background
Second Battle of El Alamein
The Second Battle of El Alamein marked a major turning point in the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War. The battle took place over 20 days from 23 October – 11 November 1942. The First Battle of El Alamein had stalled the Axis advance. Thereafter, Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery...
and withdrew west toward Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
. In doing so, he defied the "Stand to the last" orders of Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
, in order to save the remainder of his force. Rommel's forces reached the village of Fuka the next day. Italian forces had arrived earlier (they withdrew from El Alamein
El Alamein
El Alamein is a town in the northern Matrouh Governorate of Egypt. Located on the Mediterranean Sea, it lies west of Alexandria and northwest of Cairo. As of 2007, it has a local population of 7,397 inhabitants.- Climate :...
on 3–4 November) and they had formed a defensive line. However, the Italians resumed their withdrawal on the same day and. after a successful Allied attack, the Germans followed them. Montgomery rested some of his formations after their efforts at El Alamein
El Alamein
El Alamein is a town in the northern Matrouh Governorate of Egypt. Located on the Mediterranean Sea, it lies west of Alexandria and northwest of Cairo. As of 2007, it has a local population of 7,397 inhabitants.- Climate :...
and pursued mainly with the 7th Armoured Division and 4th Light Armoured Brigade.
Rain on the afternoon of 6 November impeded the British pursuit as the Axis forces continued their withdrawal and a new defence line was established at Marsa Matruh
Marsa Matruh
Marsa Matrouh is a Mediterranean seaport and the capital of the Matrouh Governorate in Egypt. It is west of Alexandria and 222 km from Sallum, on the main highway from the Nile Delta to the Libyan border. Another highway leads south from the town, toward the Western Desert and the oases of...
the following day, some 110 mi (177 km) west of El Alamein. Rommel received a warning from Hitler of an expected Allied landing between Tobruk
Tobruk
Tobruk or Tubruq is a city, seaport, and peninsula on Libya's eastern Mediterranean coast, near the border with Egypt. It is the capital of the Butnan District and has a population of 120,000 ....
, and Benghazi
Benghazi
Benghazi is the second largest city in Libya, the main city of the Cyrenaica region , and the former provisional capital of the National Transitional Council. The wider metropolitan area is also a district of Libya...
, but on 8 November Rommel discovered that this was wrong. Instead, there were Anglo-American landings in Morocco and Algeria (Operation Torch
Operation Torch
Operation Torch was the British-American invasion of French North Africa in World War II during the North African Campaign, started on 8 November 1942....
). Facing the prospect of a large Allied force to his rear, he decided to withdraw in one bound to El Agheila.
Axis forces evacuated Sidi Barrani
Sidi Barrani
Sidi Barrani is a town in Egypt, near the Mediterranean Sea, about east of the border with Libya, and around from Tobruk, Libya.Probably named after Sidi Mohammed el Barrani, a Senussi fighter in the early 1900s, the village is mainly a Bedouin community...
on 9 November and Halfaya Pass
Halfaya Pass
Halfaya Pass is located in Egypt, near the border with Libya. A high escarpment extends south eastwards from the Egyptian-Libyan border at the coast at as-Salum , with the scarp slope facing into Egypt...
(on the Libyan-Egyptian border) on 11 November, thereby abandoning Egypt. The whole of Cyrenaica
Cyrenaica
Cyrenaica is the eastern coastal region of Libya.Also known as Pentapolis in antiquity, it was part of the Creta et Cyrenaica province during the Roman period, later divided in Libia Pentapolis and Libia Sicca...
was evacuated without serious resistance. However, Rommel wanted to retain Tobruk
Tobruk
Tobruk or Tubruq is a city, seaport, and peninsula on Libya's eastern Mediterranean coast, near the border with Egypt. It is the capital of the Butnan District and has a population of 120,000 ....
for as long as possible, to save 10000 ST (9,071.8 t) of equipment, but it fell to the British on 13 November. An attempt by Montgomery to trap the Tobruk garrison by an enciclement toward Acroma
Acroma
Acroma is an alternative rock band formed in Salt Lake City, Utah. The band consists of Jeremy Stanley , Brian Christensen , Tom Collins , and Joshua Zirbel . The band released a three-song demo and was signed by Universal Records in 2002...
—west of Tobruk—failed and the garrison evacuated toward Benghazi, almost intact. Meanwhile, Derna and its airfield Martuba
Martuba Air Base
Martuba Air Base is a Libyan Air Force base in the Derna District of Libya, located approximately south-southeast of Derna, east-northeast of Benghazi. Its primary use is by the Libyan Air Force. The hangars contain Mi-2 and Mi-8 helicopters. A G.222 is stored on the ramp. It appears to be a...
were captured on 15 November. Martuba's capture was particularly welcome to the British as they were thus able to provide air cover for an essential Malta convoy on 18 November. Axis forces had now withdrawn 400 mi (643.7 km) in 10 days.
Despite the importance of the Port of Benghazi
Port of Benghazi
The Port of Benghazi is a major seaport in the city of Benghazi, Libya, on the Mediterranean Sea coast within the Gulf of Sidra.-History:A natural seaport, it was founded as Euesperides by the ancient Greeks of Cyrenaica in the 6th Century BC. After passing it to the Egyptian pharaoh Ptolemy III,...
to the Axis supply chain, Rommel had to evacuate the town in order to avoid the possibility of a repeat of the disastrous entrapment suffered by the Italians at the Battle of Beda Fomm in February 1941. Regretfully, Rommel ordered the destruction of the port facilities and materiel
Materiel
Materiel is a term used in English to refer to the equipment and supplies in military and commercial supply chain management....
in Benghazi, writing afterward:
"...in Benghazi, we destroyed the port facilities and platforms and the chaos overwhelmed the civilians in this miserable town.."
Benghazi was occupied by the British on 20 November. Three days later, the Axis forces evacuated Ajdabiya
Ajdabiya
Ajdabiya was one of the districts of Libya. It lay in the northeastern part of the country. Its capital was Ajdabiya. As of 2007 it was subsumed within the enlarged Al Wahat District....
and fell back to Brega
Brega
Brega may refer to:*Brega , an inhabited location in Libya**Marsa Brega Airport, the airport for Brega-People:...
.
During their withdrawal to Brega, the Axis forces faced many difficulties, including British air superiority which allowed them to target the Axis supply columns, crowding of the Axis forces on the coastal road and a shortage of fuel. In order to delay the British advance at any cost, Axis sapper
Sapper
A sapper, pioneer or combat engineer is a combatant soldier who performs a wide variety of combat engineering duties, typically including, but not limited to, bridge-building, laying or clearing minefields, demolitions, field defences, general construction and building, as well as road and airfield...
s laid mine
Land mine
A land mine is usually a weight-triggered explosive device which is intended to damage a target—either human or inanimate—by means of a blast and/or fragment impact....
s in the Brega area. To delay clearance, helmets were laid to mislead British mine detectors.
Prelude
No important actions took place during the eighteen days between the evacuation of Ajdabiya on 23 November and the beginning of the Battle of El AgheilaEl Agheila
El Agheila is a coastal city at the bottom of the Gulf of Sidra in far western Cyrenaica, Libya. In 1988 it was placed in Ajdabiya District; between 1995 and 2001 the district name is not known; however, it was again placed into Ajdabiya District in 2001...
on 11 December and, consequently, historians have paid little attention to this period. However, Rommel described in it detail in his memoirs. There were disagreements with his political and military superiors and he engaged in fruitless bitter arguments with Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
, Göring
Hermann Göring
Hermann Wilhelm Göring, was a German politician, military leader, and a leading member of the Nazi Party. He was a veteran of World War I as an ace fighter pilot, and a recipient of the coveted Pour le Mérite, also known as "The Blue Max"...
, Kesselring
Albert Kesselring
Albert Kesselring was a German Luftwaffe Generalfeldmarschall during World War II. In a military career that spanned both World Wars, Kesselring became one of Nazi Germany's most skilful commanders, being one of 27 soldiers awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords...
(German commander of the Mediterranean theatre), Cavallero
Ugo Cavallero
Ugo Cavallero was an Italian military commander before and during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross...
(Italian chief of staff), and Bastico
Ettore Bastico
Ettore Bastico was an Italian military officer before and during World War II. He held high commands during the Second Italo-Abyssinian War , the Spanish Civil War, and the North African Campaign....
(Governor of Libya). Rommel's idea was to withdraw to Tunis
Tunis
Tunis is the capital of both the Tunisian Republic and the Tunis Governorate. It is Tunisia's largest city, with a population of 728,453 as of 2004; the greater metropolitan area holds some 2,412,500 inhabitants....
as soon as possible, while they wanted to stand at the Brega line as long as possible.
Meanwhile, the British had their own difficulties. They had to supply their own forces over a long distance from Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
to Ajdabiya
Ajdabiya
Ajdabiya was one of the districts of Libya. It lay in the northeastern part of the country. Its capital was Ajdabiya. As of 2007 it was subsumed within the enlarged Al Wahat District....
. The Alexandria
Alexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
to Tobruk
Tobruk
Tobruk or Tubruq is a city, seaport, and peninsula on Libya's eastern Mediterranean coast, near the border with Egypt. It is the capital of the Butnan District and has a population of 120,000 ....
section of 440 mi (708.1 km) was relatively easy as there is a railway between them. By contrast, although the section from Tobruk to Agedabia is shorter (390 mi (627.6 km)), supplying the British forces was much more difficult in this section, as materiel had to be carried either by the Via Balbia
Via Balbia
The Libyan Coastal Highway is a highway that is the only major road that runs along the entire east-west length of the Libyan Mediterranean coastline...
road, or by sea (first to Benghazi, then to Ajdabiya).
For a substantial part of the pursuit to El Agheila, the British commanders were uncertain of Rommel's intentions. They had been caught out in earlier campaigns by an enemy that had drawn them on and then counter-attacked. Montgomery had intended to build his army's morale by banishing the habit of defeat and retreat and, to this end, two divisions1st Armoured Division and 2nd New Zealand Division were held at Bardia, resting and providing a defence line in case of necessity. Despite Rommel's concerns of entrapment by a rapid Allied advance across the Cyrenaica bulge, Montgomery was aware that an extended and isolated force could be vulnerable, as demonstrated in early 1941 and early 1942. When a reconnaissance force was sent across country, it became delayed by water-logged ground and a subsequent, stronger force was fought off.
Battle
The British assault on the Axis positions on Brega, and El Agheila began on the night of 11/12 December. The Axis forces engaged, after a few time, with a British reconnaissance force at Merduma (60 mi (96.6 km) west of El Agheila) behind the Axis lines, so Rommel decided to withdraw. By the evening of 12 December, the Axis withdrawal began, except for some units covering the withdrawal.On 13 December, Axis reconnaissance aircraft discovered some 300 vehicles north of Marada oasis (75 mi (120.7 km) south of El Agheila), which meant for the Axis forces the danger of being outflanked, so the withdrawal continued. Meanwhile, in the north, a British attack was held back by the Italians.
On 15–16 December, isolated engagements occurred between the two combatants. On 17 December, the bulk of the German forces withdrew from El Agheila
El Agheila
El Agheila is a coastal city at the bottom of the Gulf of Sidra in far western Cyrenaica, Libya. In 1988 it was placed in Ajdabiya District; between 1995 and 2001 the district name is not known; however, it was again placed into Ajdabiya District in 2001...
.
On 18 December, short-lived but fierce fighting took place at Nofaliya (100 mi (160.9 km) west of El Agheila), which brought the battle of El Agheila to an end.
Aftermath
Rommel withdrew to Buerat, with the intention of withdrawing further to TunisTunis
Tunis is the capital of both the Tunisian Republic and the Tunis Governorate. It is Tunisia's largest city, with a population of 728,453 as of 2004; the greater metropolitan area holds some 2,412,500 inhabitants....
, but under pressure from his superiors he established a new defensive line at Buerat.