Bardia Port

Nestled on Libya's northeastern coast near Egypt, Bardia Port began the 20th century as a quiet colonial harbor under Italian rule, serving administrative and maritime functions during World War I with limited military engagement.

In World War II, Bardia transformed into a fortified Axis stronghold. Italy turned it into a launchpad for its 1940 offensive into Egypt, directly threatening British control of the Suez Canal. That gambit triggered fierce clashes in the North African campaign. January 1941 saw the pivotal Battle of Bardia, where Australian forces—launching the first major Allied ground assault in the war—overwhelmed Italian defenses and captured the town, along with tens of thousands of prisoners.

The port changed hands multiple times. Axis forces retook it in April 1941, only to lose it again in January 1942 to the South African 2nd Division. After the decisive Allied victory at El Alamein in late 1942, the port was finally abandoned by the Axis. Under Allied-control, the port was used to launch Operation Albumen, during which commandos were transported by motor boat to Crete, where they were tasked to sabotage airfields.

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Source

• Text: TracesofWar
• Photos: Maher A. A. Abdussalam