Alexandria Port

Throughout the first half of the 20th century, the Port of Alexandria emerged as a cornerstone of Allied naval and logistical operations in the Mediterranean. Its geographic proximity to the Suez Canal, deep-water capacity, and existing infrastructure made it a vital military and supply hub in both World War I and World War II.

The port became a central staging ground for the British Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, particularly during the 1915 Gallipoli campaign. Troops and equipment were marshaled in Alexandria before being deployed to the Dardanelles. Its facilities also supported medical evacuations and replenishment of supplies for units operating in Egypt, Palestine, and the broader Middle Eastern theatre.

Moreover, the city saw a modest rise in industrial activity to support the war effort, including the repair and outfitting of ships. Alexandria’s role extended beyond military support, becoming a hub of diplomacy and coordination among Allied powers.

Alexandria took on even greater significance during the second global conflict. It served as the main base for the British Royal Navy’s Mediterranean Fleet, hosting capital ships such as HMS Valiant and Queen Elizabeth. The port enabled large-scale convoy operations that moved fuel, tanks, aircraft, and reinforcements to battlefronts in North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.

One of its most dramatic wartime episodes occurred in December 1941, when Italian frogmen infiltrated the harbor using manned torpedoes. Their sabotage disabled two major British battleships in what became known as the Raid on Alexandria, temporarily shifting naval power in the region.

The port also facilitated ongoing naval efforts to supply besieged Allied outposts like Malta and supported (covert) campaigns in Greece and the Balkans. Its capacity to host multinational Allied forces made it a crucial logistics and command center throughout the war.

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Source

• Text: TracesofWar
• Photos: Library of Congress