Battle of Amba Alagi (1941)

This article is about the Second Battle of Amba Alagi (World War II). It is not to be confused with the First Battle of Amba Alagi (First Italo-Ethiopian War).
Second Battle of Amba Alagi
Part of the East African Campaign of World War II

The battlefield
Date4–19 May 1941
LocationAmba Alagi, Ethiopia
Result Anglo-Ethiopian victory
Belligerents
 Italy  United Kingdom
 South Africa
Ethiopia Ethiopian irregulars
Commanders and leaders
Italy Prince Amedeo, Duke of Aosta  (POW) United Kingdom Sir Alan Cunningham
United Kingdom William Platt[1]
United Kingdom Mosley Mayne
Strength
7,000 (4,000 Italians and 3,000 colonials) 41,000 (regulars & irregulars)
Casualties and losses
3,500 killed or wounded, all survivors captured[2] Unknown

The Battle of Amba Alagi was fought in May 1941, during World War II, part of the East African Campaign. After the Italian defeat at Keren in April 1941, Prince Amedeo, Duke of Aosta withdrew his forces to the mountain stronghold at Amba Alagi. The mountain had galleries carved into the rock to protect the defending troops and hold ample ammunition and stores and the Italian troops thought themselves to be impregnable. According to other sources, however, the fortress was easily defendable thanks to its position and the mountainous terrain, but lacked food and water, so that Marshal Enrico Caviglia later criticised the Duke for having chosen it for his last stand, calling the Amba Alagi "uno scoglio senz'acqua e senza viveri" ("a rock with neither water nor food").[3][4] The initial attacks on the approaches to Amba Alagi by British troops under Major-General Mayne from the north, commenced on 4 May with a pincer from the eastern and western sides.

There was hard fighting in the jagged mountainous terrain but Mayne's troops were joined on 12 May by Brigadier Dan Pienaar's 1st South African Brigade, which had captured the Italian garrison of Dessie (20 April) located 200 miles south of Amba Alagi, and by 14 May Amba Alagi was completely surrounded. A final assault was planned for the next day but a lucky strike by an artillery shell hit an Italian fuel dump, sending a stream of oil into their last remaining drinking water forcing the Italians to end any resistance.[5]

The Italian commander began ceasefire negotiations on 16 May 1941. The Duke of Aosta and his garrison surrendered to the British commander, Lieutenant-General Sir Alan Cunningham, on 19 May 1941.[6] The Duke and the garrison were accorded the honours of war.[7][8][9] This capitulation marked the end of any significant Italian resistance in East Africa, although some garrisons would continue to fight until November.[10]

The film La Pattuglia dell'Amba Alagi, shot in 1953 by Flavio Calzavara, glorifies the Italian defence against the British.

References

  1. ↑ Jaques, 2007, p. 1796.
  2. ↑ Italia d'oltremare: storie dei territori italiani dalla conquista alla caduta
  3. ↑ Italia d'oltremare: storie dei territori italiani dalla conquista alla caduta
  4. ↑ Gli italiani in Africa Orientale – 3. La caduta dell'Impero
  5. ↑ Compton Mackenzie, Eastern Epic, pp. 67–70
  6. ↑ Shinn et al., 2004, p. 109.
  7. ↑ Fuller, J.F.C. (1993). The Second World War, 1939-45 : a strategical and tactical history. New York: Da Capo Press. p. 102. ISBN 9780306805066.
  8. ↑ Military Operations in the Italian East Africa, 1935-1941: Conquest and Defeat
  9. ↑ The Capture of Amba Alagi
  10. ↑ Diamond, 2012.

Sources

Coordinates: 12°59′N 39°33′E / 12.983°N 39.550°E / 12.983; 39.550

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