Marsa Matruh Port

Located on Egypt’s northwestern Mediterranean coast, Marsa Matruh evolved from a quiet coastal town into a pivotal military stronghold during both World Wars, owing to its proximity to Libya and its crucial position in Britain’s North African strategy.

During the Great War, Marsa Matruh served as a forward base for British operations against the Senussi—a local Islamic resistance movement backed by the Central Powers and hostile to Allied control in North Africa. In 1916, British forces stationed at Matruh launched a series of counter-offensives, including aerial reconnaissance and mobile column raids, culminating in a decisive victory over the Senussi in nearby battles. The port’s defensive infrastructure, including blockhouses and supply depots, played a key role in stabilizing the western frontier of Egypt.

By the time World War II erupted, Marsa Matruh had become a cornerstone of British operations in the Western Desert. It was fortified with extensive military installations and connected to Alexandria by rail, making it a vital link in transporting troops, weapons, and supplies across the desert frontier.

In June 1942, the town was the focal point of the Battle of Mersa Matruh, where German and Italian forces under Field Marshal Erwin Rommel overwhelmed British defenders and captured the port. Its loss marked a critical moment in the Axis advance toward the Nile Delta. Nevertheless, Allied forces regrouped and pushed back during the Second Battle of El Alamein later that year, reclaiming the momentum and eventually retaking Marsa Matruh.

The port of Marsa Matruh, now back under Allied control, played an important role during naval (covert) operations against German occupied-Crete and Greece as a whole. During Operation Albumen, the port was a transit and return point for commando's deployed to sabotage airfields on Crete.

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Source

• Text: TracesofWar
• Photos: NZ National Library