Fort Capuzzo

Fort Capuzzo was a fort in the Italian colony of Libya, near the Libyan-Egyptian border. It is famous for its role during World War II.

Within a week of Italy's June 10, 1940 declaration of war upon the United Kingdom, the British Army's 11th Hussars (assisted by elements of the 1st Royal Tank Regiment) captured Fort Capuzzo. Later, the Italian 1st Blackshirt Division recaptured it during an attack which reached Sidi Barrani, Egypt. In December, the Western Desert Force regained the fort during Operation Compass. It was then re-captured by General Rommel during his first offensive, falling on April 12, 1941. [http://www.ian.a.paterson.btinternet.co.uk/battles1941.htm "History of the 7th Armored, List of Battles, 1941] ] . During Operation Brevity the fort changed hands briefly between May 15 and May 16, but ultimately remained in German-Italian possession when the operation failed and the attacking British Brigade group withdrew.Playfair, V.II pg. 162] The fort was retaken by the New Zealand Division on November 22 during Operation Crusader [Playfair, V.III Pg 48] . Axis forces once again took possession following the Battle of Gazala before the fort was returned to allied control for the final time following the Second Battle of El Alamein.

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* [http://warart.archives.govt.nz/node/331 1943 Drawing by Jack Crippen]

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