Battle of Bir Hakeim
Bir Hakeim oasis, south-west of Tobruk, Libya
What happened
The 1st Free French Brigade under General Marie-Pierre Kœnig, including the Foreign Legion and battalions, fought German and Italian forces under Erwin Rommel. In the Libyan desert, about 3,600 Free French soldiers held an old fort at Bir Hakeim, at the southern end of the Allied line. For about two weeks they held out against repeated ground and air attacks. When supplies ran low, they broke out at night on 10-11 June, and about 2,700 reached British lines.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The long defence delayed Rommel's advance and showed that the Free French could fight as a full force, boosting their reputation. It is credited with helping to cancel the planned German-Italian invasion of Malta.
What came next
Rommel's forces captured Tobruk about ten days later, but were halted at El Alamein in July. In Paris, a bridge and a métro station were renamed Bir-Hakeim.
Did you know?
Susan Travers, an Englishwoman and the only woman in the French Foreign Legion, drove General Kœnig's car during the breakout.
Timeline
- 26 May 1942Axis forces attack Bir Hakeim.
- 10-11 June 1942The Free French break out at night.
- June 1942Axis forces capture Tobruk.
- July 1942The First Battle of El Alamein halts Rommel.
- 1948A Paris bridge is renamed Pont de Bir-Hakeim.