Battle of Ettangi explained

Conflict:Battle of Ettangi
Partof:the First Italo-Senussi War
Place:Ettangi, 15 kilometers south-west of Derna, Libya
Date:18 — 19 June 1913
Result:Italian victory
  • Breaking of the encirclement of the Italian garrison in Derna
Combatant2: Senussi Order
Commander2:Unknown
Casualties1: 26 dead and 236 wounded[1]
Casualties2: 500 dead, wounded and captured
Territory:Destruction of the rebel camp in Ettangi and capture by the Italians

Ettangi is a town near Derna (in Cyrenaica) known for the battle fought between Italian soldiers and Libyan guerrillas on from 18 — 19 June 1913. The battle ended in a disastrous Libyan defeat.

Background

A first attempt to expel the Libyan guerrillas from Ettangi, in order to begin the occupation of the Libyan hinterland, took place on 16 May 1913, which however failed, causing unfavorable political repercussions.

Preparations and Battle

On 18 June 1913, General decided to try the action again by advancing from Cyrene, together with the general Tassoni's division. Three Italian columns, commanded by General Salsa, moved towards the rebel camp of Ettangi with the precise aim of destroying it. The columns were made up of the following departments: the one on the right (General Cavaciocchi: 4 Alpine battalions, 2 Eritrean, 4 mountain batteries), on the left (General Mambretti: 4 infantry battalions, 2 mountain batteries and one field battery, another 3 infantry battalions in reserve); central, connecting the other two (Colonel Arista, with 2 infantry battalions and a company of Libyan askari).

On 19 June the Italian troops conquered the enemy outposts. The battle ended the following day with the capture of Sidi Garbàa and Ettangi. The enemy camp was found abandoned and before leaving it the Libyan guerrillas destroyed the powder magazines and the food stores.

Notes and References

  1. Bollati, Ambrogio. Enciclopedia dei nostri combattimenti coloniali: fino al 2 ottobre 1935-XIII. Italia, G. Einaudi, 1936. Page 308-310.