Narrow Escapes of World War II episode 11: A Scottish soldier who hiked 200 miles through the Libyan desert without water or supplies recalls Ronald Moore, the leader of his party. With the Italians preparing to invade Egypt in the summer of 1940, the British armys Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) causes havoc far behind the front. But after an LRDG patrol is attacked, a tough New Zealander named Ron Moore leads the survivors barefoot through the desert, 300 miles from Allied lines. Pat Clayton, the model for the character played by Ralph Fiennes in The English Patient. Clayton’s unit targeted Kufra. But the Italians, listening in, sent out a superior force to meet and assault them.
Chaos, vehicles destroyed and captured troopers until hero Ronald Moore led one of the most extraordinary marches in military history. How desperate does have a man to be to suck the blood out of his own arm? That s just one of the astonishing pieces of personal testimony given by Alex Winchester, a Scottish soldier who survived walking over 200 miles through the Libyan desert. Moore s March occurred when a patrol of the Long Range Desert Group, was caught behind enemy lines. Trooper Ronald Moore, a tough New Zealander then led three men, including Winchester, back to safety through 50 degree heat, with almost no water or supplies. On the way, they entered Special Forces legend.
Narrow Escapes of World War II episode 11
Ronald Joseph Moore was a New Zealand soldier during World War II. He was the leader of ‘Moore’s March’, a forced march through the Western Desert by survivors of a Long Range Desert Group patrol following the Battle of Kufra.
During the Battle of Kufra at Gebel Sherif on 31 January 1941, Moore’s Long Range Desert Group patrol was ambushed by the Italian Auto-Saharan Company, and posted missing, believed killed. The patrol lost their rations, headgear and footwear when the trucks were destroyed in the initial attack. Moore then led a forced march with three other survivors through the Western Desert on an attempted 290 mi (470 km) trek to the nearest allied camp: the other soldiers were Guardsman John Easton, Guardsman Alexander Winchester, and RAOC fitter Alfred Tighe.
They had no other supplies, except a two-gallon tin of water and a 2 lb (0.91 kg) jar of jam. An Italian prisoner with them escaped. They found Sarra abandoned and headed for Kufra. Tighe, who had been left behind on the fifth day of their march, was picked up by a Free French patrol four days later, and was able to inform them of the survival and direction of the others. A French patrol plane was sent out and spotted the small groups, airdropping food and a bottle of lemonade: they survivor did not notice the food, and only 0.5 in (13 mm) of lemonade survived the drop.
A search party found the group on the 12th day. Easton was injured in the throat and later died, the first Scots Guardsman to die in North Africa. Winchester was semi-delirious. When the patrol found Moore he was clear-headed and uninjured, except for shrapnel in his foot from the Battle of Kufra. He was headed for Tekro 80 mi (130 km) away, barefooted, and slightly annoyed at being stopped as he calculated his was only two days march from his goal.
The Battle of Kufra: A Historic Confrontation in the Libyan Desert
The Battle of Kufra, fought in 1941, was a significant military confrontation between the British and the Italian forces during World War II. It took place in the eastern region of the Libyan Desert and was a crucial battle in the North African Campaign. This post will explore the background, events, and aftermath of the Battle of Kufra.
Background of the Battle of Kufra
The Italian occupation of Libya started in 1911 and lasted until 1943. During this period, Italy invested heavily in the development of Libya, particularly in the construction of roads, railways, and military bases. Kufra, a remote oasis town located in the southeast of Libya, became one of the crucial military bases established by Italy in the region. The Italians aimed to secure control of the trans-Saharan trade routes and protect their colonies in East Africa.
In 1940, Italy declared war on Britain, and the North African Campaign began. The British forces, under the command of General Archibald Wavell, launched an offensive against the Italian forces in North Africa. The campaign started with a series of defeats for the British, who were ill-prepared for the harsh desert conditions and the superior Italian military tactics.
The Events of the Battle of Kufra – Narrow Escapes of World War II episode 11
In March 1941, the British launched an offensive against Kufra, a key Italian stronghold in the Libyan Desert. The British forces, consisting of the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) and the Free French, were led by Major-General Richard O’Connor. The Italian forces, led by General Enrico Frattini, were heavily fortified and well-equipped with tanks, artillery, and aircraft.
The British forces adopted a new tactic, which involved crossing the desert and attacking the enemy from the rear. The LRDG, a specialized unit of the British Army, used their knowledge of the desert terrain to carry out a surprise attack on the Italian forces. The attack was successful, and the British forces managed to capture Kufra.
The Battle of Kufra was a significant victory for the British forces, who captured over 1,000 Italian soldiers and a vast amount of military equipment. The British also gained control of the trans-Saharan trade routes, which disrupted the Italian supply lines and weakened their military capabilities.
Aftermath of the Battle of Kufra
The Battle of Kufra had significant implications for the North African Campaign. The British forces’ victory at Kufra boosted their morale and provided them with the much-needed confidence to continue their offensive against the Italian forces. The British forces launched a series of successful attacks against the Italians, culminating in the Battle of El Alamein, which marked the turning point of the North African Campaign.
The Battle of Kufra also had political implications, as it demonstrated the potential of the Free French to play a significant role in the Allied war effort. The Free French, led by General Charles de Gaulle, had been marginalized by the British in the early stages of the North African Campaign. However, their participation in the Battle of Kufra helped them gain recognition and respect from the British.
The Battle of Kufra was a significant military confrontation that played a crucial role in the North African Campaign. The British forces’ victory at Kufra disrupted the Italian supply lines and weakened their military capabilities, providing the British with the confidence to continue their offensive against the Italian forces. The Battle of Kufra also demonstrated the potential of the Free French to play a significant role in the Allied war effort and helped them gain recognition and respect from the British.
