This is a part of a series about Free France during World War 2.
Today we will learn about the Capture of Kufra during Operation Compass.
Background
In August 1940, French Equatorial Africa pledged loyalty to Free France. Gabon had to be invaded by the Free French, which is what we talked about last blogpost. With Gabon secured, de Gaulle wanted the Free French to begin turning their attention North, to Italian Libya.
De Gaulle wanted the French to begin attacking Italian positions in Libya. Kufra was a target and the French began assembling for the offensive. 1 FFF Battalion consisting of about 400 men were to attack Kufra. They were led by Colonel Phillippe Leclerc. The French were assisted by 76 men from the British Long Range Desert Group (LRDG). The LRDG was commanded by Major Pat Clayton.
FRENCH ORDER OF BATTLE
HQ: 1 Matford truck, 2 Chevrolet light trucks, 2 Bedford 1.5 ton trucks, 1 ER26bis radio
1 reduced infantry company (Captain Rennepont): 23 Bedford 1.5 ton trucks
2 platoons, GN Ennedi (Captain Barboten): 120 men, 1 Dodge truck, 16 Matford V8 3 ton trucks
1 platoon, 7th Company, RTST (Captain Florentin): 60 men, 1 Dodge truck, 2 Matford V8 3 ton trucks
Artillery platoon (Lieutenant Ceccaldi): 2 75 mm Mle1928 Schneider mountain guns, 4 Laffly S15 carriers, 1 Dodge truck, 2 Matford V8 3 ton trucks
Armoured car detachment (Adjudant Detouche): 2 Laffly S15TOE, 1 Matford V8 3 ton truck, 1 ER26bis/39 radio
Kufra was garrisoned by 280 Askari in 2 Italian Askari Companies, and 1 Auto-Saharan Company. Kufra had barbed wire, trenches, machine guns, and light AA guns
ITALIAN ORDER OF BATTLE
HQ forces Settore Cufra (Kufra sector)
59th Compagnia mitraglieri: 3 officers, 1 NCO, 3 Italian enlisted, 110 colonial troops enlisted, 13 MG (8 mm Schwarzlose 07/12 or 6.5 mm FIAT mod. 14)
60th Compagnia mitraglieri: 3 officers, 1 NCO, 3 Italian enlisted, 110 colonial troops enlisted, 13 MG (8 mm Schwarzlose 07/12 or 6.5 mm FIAT mod. 14)
Compagnia Sahariana di Cufra (LT Caputo – KIA): 4 officers, 7 NCO, 32 Italian enlisted, 77 colonial troops enlisted, 16 AS 37 off-road vehicles, 4 FIAT 634 trucks
Sezione aeroplani: 4 officers, 4 NCO, 32 Italian enlisted, four aircraft
The Battle
On February 5, 1941, Leclerc first had 218 men raid Kufra's airfield, and this raid was successful. The French suffered no losses.
On the 16th, Leclerc began his main attack at Kufra. During the advance through the Sahara, Leclerc's men suffered mechanical issues, even having to leave back a 75mm gun. Nevertheless, the French offensive into Libya continued.
The radios of the Italian garrison at Kufra detected the French advance, and surviving aircraft from Kufra airfield located and attacked Leclerc's column. Leclerc decided to split up his forces, sending the RTST company to attack Kufra from the North, and sending the rest of his forces to attack the fort from the South.
The RTST Company first engaged the Compagnia Sharaiana di Cufra and forced its trucks to fall back. The RTST Company was quickly able to exploit its gains.
Meanwhile, in the South, Leclerc had quickly overrun the Italian defenders at El Giof. The French captured 4 trucks and a 20mm gun in the engagement. Leclerc then laid siege to Kufra and began shelling the fort with 75mm guns. The Autosaharina di Cufra tried counter-attacking to relieve the siege, but these attempts failed. The Italians tried to bomb the Free French besiegers, but these attempts failed too.
Demoralized, the rest of the Italian garrison surrendered on March 1, 1941.
The French gained lots of supplies after the battle
They gained:
Eight AS37 trucks
Six FIAT 634N trucks
Four 20mm AA guns
53 machine guns
Casualties:
FRENCH:
4 killed
21 wounded
ITALIANS:
3 killed
4 wounded
282 captured
SOURCES:
https://www.flamesofwar.com/Default.aspx?tabid=111&art_id=2651&kb_cat_id=32
https://ww2db.com/battle_spec.php?battle_id=253
No comments:
Post a Comment