#410103_01v The Battle of Bardia - North Africa 1941

Bardia, Libya: January 3rd, 1941. (Scenario Size: Division. Head to Head but recommended for Allied Human vs Axis AI. This scenario uses variable objective victory points) After the initial actions in Operation Compass, the Italians were expelled from Egypt and pushed back into Libya. General Annibale Bergonzoli, decided to hold at Bardia, one of two fortified locations in Cyrenaica. With 4th Indian Division recalled to East Africa, the trained but untested 6th Australian Division took the Bardia Fort under siege. After over a week of planning and preparation, the Australians launched their attack on the morning of January 3rd, 1941. The Italian defenses, though well prepared, were defended by a mix of units that had been routed from Egypt and a resident Blackshirt Division. The Australian's only attacked with two of the available three Infantry Brigades, the 19th Brigade being held back to attack Tobruk after Bardia fell. The Australians attacked using the 16th & 17th Brigades and ran into significant initial resistance, particularly from the Italian artillery. Once through the initial defenses, the Australians rolled up the defensive bunkers from both the flank and rear. The Allies had estimated that 23,000 men were defending Bardia and were shocked when close to 40,000 Italians surrendered.