Eritrea 1941

LITTLE BATTLES – ERITREA 1941

When Mussolini decided to declare war in June 1940, he only had eyes for taking over some of the French Riviera. The declaration left many of Italy’s Overseas Colonies either unprepared for war or isolated from Italy.

Italy had occupied Eritrea in the late 1800’s and created a productive Colony which had about 60,000 Europeans and 1.1mill natives. Its capital was Asmara with around 70,000 population and Massawa, the major port with around 8,000.

In 1935 Italy attacked Ethiopia employing 14 Metropolitan (European) Infantry Divisions and in a series of bloody attacks (including the use of Gas) took control of the Country. Its Leader, Haile Selaisse was given shelter by the British.

In 1940, Africa Orientale Italiana (AOI) consisted of Eritrea, Ethiopia(Abbysinya) & Italian Somaliland occupied the “Horn of Africa, controlling the Red Sea and capable of projecting control over the Persian Gulf and the associated oilfields.

AOI had an ample supply of troops, in August 1940 there were 112,731 whites and 258,322 natives under arms in all services with more being trained. They were equipped with 24 Medium & 39 Light Tanks, 866 Artillery pieces(from 37mm to 149mm) and 325 Aircraft of all types. These were organized into 51 white & 141 native battalions and numerous smaller units. “Native” Brigades were formed with 3 or 4 Bns with 2 batteries of 65/17 light pack artillery. It was designed for Colonial or Guerilla warfare and it lack of heavy weapons gave it poor “staying” power.

The troops raised from Eritrea demonstrated professionalism and steadiness, some has been in service for 20 years.

2 Divisions were formed in AOI, “Granatieri di Savoia”, A Metropolitan Division and “Cacciatori d’Africa”, locally enlisted. There were also a number of CCNN Battalions composed entirely of whites spread around the area, often to “stiffen” the native Bns, similarly equipped they fought well against Native units or Guerillas but poor;y against the Commonwealth Forces.

As usual, the Italian Artillery was well served and fought well, though suffering though having few guns of adequate calibre. Their Armoured Forces were execrable, the light tanks held no fear for even Native troops and nothing was capable of handling the small number of Matilda II in the country.

In the Sudan, the Allies had around 4,500 troops, though those of the Sudan Defense Force were well led and professional troops, there was simply too few to hold off even a small Italian push.

The opening Italian moves were to occupy a number of Sudan border posts such as Gallabat & Kassala and to occupy British Somaliland.

On August 3, 4 columns of troops comprising 40,000 men supported by Artillery, Tanks, Aircraft and irregulars moved into British Somaliland, believing they were faced by around 11,000 British troops they moved forward slowly. In fact the British had less than half of that number and lack all sorts of support (HMAS Hobart dismounted a 3” Gun which was fitted to a “jerry-rigged” mount.).
By August 6 they had occupied Hargiesa and halted to bring up their tail, they had advanced about 40 miles!! This gave the British time to bring up troops to the Tug Argan position.

The attack on Tug Argan began on August 11, the British occupying the sides of ridges and hilltops. The Italians attacked every day and 14 Colonial Bde suffered heavy losses. An attempt to outflank the position failed when the column took a wrong track and failed in their attempt. However, the British Command saw that they could not hold indefinitely and evacuated the Tug Argan line on August 15 and had evacuated the Colony in full by August 18, Italy’s only conquest for WW2.
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With the fall of British Somaliland the British arranged for the 2nd of the Indian Division be landed at Port Sudan to help defend Sudan and the back door to Egypt. 6 Indian Bns joined 3 British units and created the 5th Indian Infantry Division. At the same time a force of 70,000 British, Sth African & Colonial troops was being formed. (Story to be told separately)

Despite being outnumbered, the RAF slowly built up control of the air using Gladiator and Hurricane fighters ands Vickers Wellesley bombers based in Aden.

The British plan was to push with a number of columns along the Read Sea & Indian Ocean coast and the push inland for Addis Ababa, the Italians planned to stop each drive at a major obstacle and to assume a static role. Failing in holding these lines, the remaining forces were to conduct a fighting retreat to several natural forces deep in the interior. (And wait for relief, at this time the Libyan Forces had occupied Sidi Barrani)


In a major relocation of troops, Wavell had taken the 4th Indian Division from its successful attacks in the Western Desert and shipped it to Port Sudan and then trucked it up to the frontlines. On January 19, patrols found the Italians had abandoned their Kassala positions before the attack was put in and the race to Keren was on. 4th & 5th Indian Divs (each 2 Bdes) and units of the Sudan Defense Force (SDF) advanced in their wake. 7th Bde(4th Indian Div) was held at Port Sudan to advance along the Red Sea coast (With Orde Wingate & Gideon Force of Ethiopean troops) 9th Bde (of 5th Indian Div) was at Gallabat to pin a considerable Italian Force there.

The first major engagement was at Keru Gorge, here the British set up for a set piece attack but a suicidal charge by the Amhara Cavalry held them up long enough so that the defending 41st Colonial Bde could escape. (There are stories of 2pdr AT Guns engaging the Cavalry, very successfully as well!!) The Italian Command the concentrated 4 Bdes at Agordat. On 27 January 4th Indian Div began attacks on both flanks of the position with a push on the centre going in on 31 January. A counterattack by Italian Tanks came upon the Matilda II Troop and was totally smashed. The Amhara cavalry again covered an Italian retreat to Barentu which was stubbornly defended but captured by 5th Indian Div .

With these battles the Italians lost around 6,000 men and on 2 February blew the Mussolini Bridge over the Barca River and withdrew into the positions at Keren.

The position at Keren was one of formidable natural strength, It was “A jumble of mountains, barren slopes and sharp edges, with here and there a smooth outcrop of basalt standing out like a giant fungus. To the west – looking up Donglolaas Gorge – stood Mount Sanchil and the long saddle soon to be named Brig’s Peak. On the right towered Mount Zeban and, commanding the entrance to the gorge. Mount Falestoh with Fort Dologorodoc on its summit(Actually a spur of Mt Falestoh). From these lofty heights, the enemy O.P’s commanded the whole plain of the Ascidera valley where the british Army must halt and deploy. Looking at the formidable range it is easy to see why, with the addition of their superior strength, numerous guns and interior lines of supply, the Italians believed the Keren position as impregnable.

On this position the Italians had deployed one Colonial Bde plus the 3 Bns of the Savoia’s 11th Rgt. In addition were the 2 Bdes of the 1st Colonial Div plus the survivors from Keru Gorge & Agordat.

There was no way around Keren, it must be cleared.

On February 3 11th Indian Bde lead the attack, for 3 days it struggled and after numerous thrust and counter thrusts managed to hold onto a small exposed ridge christened “Cameron Ridge”. Artillery could not help as requested as while they could hit the ridges facing them they couldn’t hit the reverse slopes and the small amount of Aircraft were of little use. All movement had to be at night, and during the day the British and Indian troops had to endure the century pus heat and flies which were attracted by the unburied bodies.

4th Indian Div put in the next attacks on 10 February with 5th Bde against Acqua Col and 11th Bde against Brig’s Peak (29 th Bde was in Reserve), the Italians gave a s good as they were given and by midday on the 12th the British stopped their attacks, they had gained nothing.

After these attacks a lull followed, 5th Indian Div was withdrawn for mountain training, 7th Bde moved along the coast and fought an engagement at CubCub on Feb 23. The RAF occupied fields at Agordat and was finally able to control the skies over Keren and drive the Italian Air Force from Eritrea. Leaflets were also dropped in an attempt to get the Eritrean troops to desert, this only resulted in an Italian counterattack which recaptured some positions.

By March 8 the British again attacked, after a heavy aerial bombardment the artillery opened with a concentration (at 0700) which was said not to be repeated until El Alamein. On the left, 11th Bde(4th Div) led retaking Sanchil & Brigs Peak, for a while. Further to the left 5th Bde took Mt Samanna but was checked.

At 1030 5th Division attacked towards Fort Dologorodoc with 9th Bde leading, they were stopped by enfilade fire from Sanchil and renewed their attack at nighfall. Further attempts were made to capture Sanchil & Brigs peak but were thrown back.

Next night the attacks were repeated with the same result, and 29 Bde tried for Mts Falestoh & Zeban but were pinned down and withdrew next night. Only Fort Dologorodoc held.

Between 18 & 22 March the Italians attacked Fort Dologorodoc 7 times and suffered around 5,000 casualties including 1,135 killed.

Early on 25th March 9th & 10th brigades renewed the assault and after heavy fighting got beyond the roadblock (in the gorge), this enable British Sappers to clear and on 26 March an attack led by Matilda II’s and Bren carriers found the Italians had evacuated their positions and fled. Keren was occupied by 0800 on March 26th.

British losses had been 536 dead, 3,229 wounded against the Italian losses of 3,120 dead and 4,760 wounded with thousands more captured or deserted.

2 days later at Ad Teclesan and even more formidable position defended by savoias 10th Rgt broke on the first day, Asmara was declared an open city and occupied on 31 March leaving Massawa the only organized resistance, it fell on 8 April.

Fortune favoured the brave, after making the switch of the 4th Indian Division from the Western Desert to Eritrea in December 1940, Wavell was again to switch the Division back to the Western desert to help defend against Rommel who had his troops at the Egyptian frontier in April 11.
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In the mean time, British, South African & West and East African (Kenya, Uganda, Tanganyika, Gold Coast, Nigeria) troops had been gathering in Kenya to first defend the Colony and then attack into Italian Somalialand. The terrain here was open bushland, with equally hih temperatures and limited water.

The first moves were made from Wasir and by February 7,led by 22nd East African Bde, the first Brigades had captured Afmadu, around 60 miles inland from Kismayu. The plan was to first take Kismayu, and the Jubu River crossings, before moving on to Mogadishu, the provincial capital.

24th Gold Coast Bde then moved East for a further 40 miles to Bulo Erillo where a small battle was fought before reaching the Juma River at Jelib, about 50 miles from the mouth of the river. 1st Sth African Bde went South East from Afmadu towards the mouth of the Juba River. Naval units had been watching Kismayu and on spotting movements had signaled Cunningham (The British Commander) who then ordered a hurry up to 1st S. A Bde and also sent 22 East African Bde directly to Kismayu.

22 E.A Bde entered Kismayu on Feb 14 (6 days ahead of schedule!) and 1st S.A Bde found some crossings and using assault boats crossed and built a bridgehead which allowed the Brigade to cross and enable Jumbo & Gobwen to be captured, along with welcome supplies of Petrol.

After advancing 500 miles from the railhead at Nairobi, rest and reorganization was needed, Cunningham also had to protect his northern flank, not all Natives welcomed the invaders and a force had to be kept to fend off the numerous attacks made from the North. Plans were also made to land a force from Aden back into Berbera in British Somaliland when the advance had moved on.

22nd E.A Bde was sent off and moving quickly along the coast road reached Modun before encountering opposition which was quickly cleared with the help of the Royal Navy. 23rd Nigerian Bde then moved through and occupied Mogadishu unopposed by February 25. Cunningham had moved his troops 235 miles in 3 days.

From Mogadishu the advance continued at a similar pace, advancing to Harar by March 29 (Remember Keren fell on March 27) and linking with the forces landed from Aden and entering Addis Ababa on April 6. Smaller forces moved in from Northern Kenya and Southern Sudan and the main force headed North and on May 19 met the forces which had conquered Keren at Amba Alagi.

But the war was far from over, Italian forces moved into the rugged mountains and kept up a resistance until November 27 when all fighting stopped.

 

Massawa was wrecked as a port or repair facility before the Italians surrendered the port. Many ships were sunk in the harbour, so as to deny its use.

"Under the Red Sea Sun" is an excellent account written by the American who was the OIC and salvage expert who ramrodded through the restoration of the port and facilities.