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Battle of Mechli 1941
The First Battle 24 January 1941
The Beginning of the
End For Il Duce’s African Dream
Background
• In June 1940, just before the Fall of France, Mussolini declared war on France
and her Allies.
• In September 1940 the Italian Army invaded Egypt from its North African Colony
of Libya.
• After advancing to Sidi Barani, the Italians halted - partly because the only
paved road in the region ran out there and partly for fear of the qualitative
superiority of British forces and equipment.
• Following the arrival of reinforcements, including new heavier tanks and under
pressure from Rome, preparations were put in hand to resume the Italian advance.
• However the British struck first shattering the Italian forward troops at Sidi
Barani and the fortresses of Bardia and Tobruk fell to British and Commonwealth
forces.
• The remnants of the Italian 10th Army fell back to the more defensible line
from Derna on the Mediterranean coast to Mechili in the desert.
• While the Australians attacked in the north, leading units of the British 7th
Armoured Division struck at Mechili.
Italian Forces
Initial
Elements of 60th Sabratha Infantry Division
3rd Battalion 42nd Sabratha Artillery Regiment reinforced by elements of 60th
Anti-tank Company, 85th Verona Infantry Regiment and an Anti-aircraft Battery.
Advanced Guard, Special Armoured Brigade
3rd Medium Tank Battalion equipped with M-13/40 Tanks.
60th Light Tank Battalion equipped with L3/35 Tanks.
Reinforcements
Main Body, Special Armoured Brigade
With 116th Anti-tank Company attached.
5th Medium Tank Battalion equipped with M-13/40 Tanks.
Nucleus of 60th Bersaglieri Motorcycle Battalion.
2nd Battalion 12th Sila Artillery Regiment (attached from 55th Savona Division)
British Forces
Initial
Advanced Guard 4th Armoured Brigade
7th Hussars equipped mainly with Mk VIb Light Tanks.
Elements of 3rd Royal Horse Artillery.
Reinforcements
Main Body 4th Armoured Brigade
2nd Royal Tank Regiment equipped with Mk VIb Light Tanks, A-9, A-10 and A-13
Cruiser Tanks.
B Squadron 11th Hussars equipped with Rolls Royce and Morris Armoured Cars.
This Western Desert battle was the display
game at Claymore in 2009. The games uses 15mm figures and Command Decision
rules.
This display will also appear at Targe 2009 in
Kirriemuir
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