East African Campaign

The East African Campaign refers to the battles fought between British Empire and Commonwealth forces and Italy in Italian East Africa during World War II. This campaign is often seen as part of the North African Campaign. The vast majority of the Allied forces were from India, South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana.

The Italian Invasion of British Somaliland

On August 3 1940, approximately 175,000 Italian troops — about 70% of them African — under the Duke of Aosta (a Field Marshal) and General Guglielmo Nasi invaded British Somaliland. The defending force was a small contingent of only four battalions. The Italians advanced in three columns, with the western towards Zeila, the central towards Hargeisa, and the eastern towards Odweina in the south.

Related Topics:
August 3 - Duke of Aosta - Field Marshal - Guglielmo Nasi - British Somaliland - Zeila - Hargeisa - Odweina

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Within two days both Zeila and Hargeisa were taken. The occupation of Zeila effectively sealed British Somaliland off from French Somaliland and Hargeisa is on the main road towards the capital of Berbera. Odweina fell the following day and the Italians central and eastern columns combined to launch an attack against the main Commonwealth positions at Tug Argan.

Related Topics:
French Somaliland - Berbera - Tug Argan

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The Commonwealth forces had received minor reinforcements and a new commander, General Alfred Godwin-Austen, but it was not enough. Within a few days the Allies were forced to withdraw from Tug Argan to Berbera, from where they were successfully evacuated to Aden, leaving the Italians to take control of Berbera on August 19 and then full control of all of British Somaliland.

Related Topics:
Alfred Godwin-Austen - Aden - August 19

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Commonwealth losses in the short campaign are estimated at 260: 38 killed in action (KIA), 102 wounded and 120 missing. The Italians lost about 2,050: 465 KIA, 1,530 wounded and 34 missing. Winston Churchill criticized General Archibald Wavell, whose Middle East Command was responsible for the campaign, for the rapid defeat of the Commonwealth forces. Churchill in particular was worried that the territory had been abandoned without a fight, because of the low casualty rate. To this Wavell pointed out that this was a textbook withdrawal in the face of superior numbers and said to Churchill ?A bloody butcher?s bill is not the sign of a good tactician?.

Related Topics:
Winston Churchill - Archibald Wavell - Middle East Command

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After this victory, the Italians soon began a series of minor raids in to Sudan and Kenya, including the capture of Buna and small territorial advances.

Related Topics:
Sudan - Kenya - Buna

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Insights from the campaign

1. This campaign shows Italian forces were capable of co-ordinating columns separated by many miles of desert.

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2. British forces showed good discipline in the retreat and were able to salvage most of their forces.

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3. This is the only campaign the Italians won unaided in World War II.

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Sources Used

Major Sources

?The Italian Invasion of British Somaliland 1st-18th August 1940?, by Lt Col JEB Barton. Section 5 Chapter M

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Other Sources

?Italian invasion of British Somaliland?, UK PRO Ref WO106/2336.

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War Diary HQ Somaliforce Jul-Aug 1940, UK PRO file WO169/2870. This file contains many reports, photographs of defensive positions and maps.

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?History of the Second World War: The Mediterranean and the Middle East Volume 1?, by ISO Playfair. HMSO London 1954. This is the official history

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?Revised Notes on the Italian Army (with amendments 1-3 incorporated)?, The War Office

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