Battle of Bardia
Bardia, eastern Libya, near the Egyptian border
What happened
The 6th Australian Division under Major General Iven Mackay fought the Italian XXIII Corps under General Annibale Bergonzoli. In the Western Desert campaign, Italian forces held the fortified port of Bardia. At dawn on 3 January 1941, Australian engineers cut gaps in the wire, and infantry with British tanks broke into the fortress. Over two days the Australians split the defences, and the Italian garrisons surrendered on 5 January.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the first battle of the war fought, commanded and planned by the Australian Army. It opened the way for the Allied advance across eastern Libya.
What came next
Bardia changed hands several more times before the Allies took it for the last time in November 1942.
Did you know?
One Italian commander who surrendered was wearing a British Military Cross he had won in the First World War.
Timeline
- 9 December 1940Operation Compass begins.
- 3 January 1941The Australians attack Bardia.
- 5 January 1941The Italian garrisons surrender.
- January 1942South African troops retake Bardia.
- November 1942The Allies take Bardia for the last time.