Derna Port

In the early 20th century, Derna came under Italian control following the Italo-Turkish War of 1911. During World War I, the port played a modest role, primarily serving as a logistical base to support Italy's colonial administration. Situated far from the major theaters of battle, Derna remained relatively untouched by the fighting, functioning mainly as a resupply and administrative hub.

With the outbreak of World War II, however, Derna’s strategic importance soared. Libya, still under Italian rule, became a battleground in the Western Desert Campaign.
Positioned between the key cities of Tobruk and Benghazi, Derna was heavily fortified by Italian forces, including troops from the 60th “Sabratha” Infantry Division. In January 1941, Allied forces, particularly the Australian 2/11th Battalion, launched an offensive that pushed westward through Cyrenaica.

Despite the challenging terrain and counterattacks, the Allies successfully forced the Axis retreat, entering Derna on January 29, 1941. Following its capture, British forces quickly established an RAF airfield near the port, further reinforcing its value as a staging ground for ongoing Mediterranean operations.

After its capture, the port was used by the Allies. In June 1943, a group of commandos ("A" Patrol) boarded ML 355 here and were transported to the coast of Crete, where they disembarked and attacked airfields.

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Source

• Text: TracesofWar
• Photos: Library of Congress