27th January 1942 – The Fall of BENGHAZI

On 27th August 2023 I ordered two books from the Naval & Military Press which I had posted to my brother Graham’s address in Sussex and, on my arrival there a month or two later, he was able to present me with a remarkable find.

In January 1942, during World War II, Benghazi in Libya changed hands twice. It was initially captured by Axis forces led by General Rommel on January 29th, having previously been taken by the British in December 1941. This recapture was part of a larger offensive by Rommel’s Afrika Korps, pushing back the British forces.

• December 24, 1941: Benghazi was captured by the British during Operation Crusader.
• January 23, 1942: Axis forces captured Agedabia.
• January 29, 1942: Benghazi was retaken by Axis forces, marking a significant early victory for Rommel in his advance towards Egypt.
• February 4, 1942: The front line stabilized between Gazala and Bir Hakeim.
• May 26 – June 21, 1942: The Battle of Gazala took place, with Axis forces eventually capturing Tobruk.
• June 28, 1942: Mersa Matruh, Egypt, fell to the Axis.
• June 30, 1942: The Axis forces reached El Alamein and initiated the First Battle of El Alamein.

So, in January 1942, from pages 100 to 104 of the above book about The Sikh Regiment written by Colonel F.T. Birdwood, it appears that “B” Echelon of the 4th Battalion, comprising the undermentioned men, was overtaken by General Rommel and the Afrika Corps after the fall of Benghazi. This recapture of Benghazi occurred on January 29, 1942, after the British had initially taken it on December 24, 1941. The city’s strategic location made it a key objective in the back-and-forth struggle for control of North Africa during World War II. 

On page 102 of the book under diary entry 28 Jan. – “Meanwhile, the “B” echelon transport, consisting of some 600 vehicles, was to move off back through Benghazi ahead of the troops to its new area behind the divisional line. Command of this column fell to Maj. C. Nash, Second-in-Command of the Battalion.” Later that night it was reported – “…..the fate of “B” echelon unknown.“
Then, on page 104 the diary entry of 1 Feb. reads – “The troops now had some breathing space for running repairs, and checking up. With “B” echelon, the Battalion had lost….“ (the following)

CAMP No.	NAME	INITIALS	RANK	ARMY No.	BOOK
35	Kealy	P.C.B.	2/Lt.	EC. 752	Page 104
29	Nash	C.S.	Maj.	284. IA	Page 102, 104
35	Price	R.F.	Capt.	EC. 282	Page 104
49	Willis	A.G.R.	2/Lt.	EC. 1357	Page 104

The final paragraph of p.104 brings welcome relief…. “Of the missing, confirmation of their safety was later received – except for Willis, who, after covering 250 miles on foot, made his way to the XXXth Corps headquarters at Gazala.“
My Dad had walked from Benghazi to Gazala!