Early in January 1941, Australians of the 6th Division led an assault against the Italian colonial fortress village of Bardia in Libya. The ensuing battle was the first battle of the Second World War planned and fought predominantly by Australians. The fortress fell to the attackers a little over two days after the attack began in a remarkable victory. Though the 6th Division lost 130 killed and 326 wounded, they captured around 40,000 Italian prisoners and very large quantities of military stores and equipment. The victory was heralded at the time in Australia as one of the greatest military achievements of that nation’s military history. Quite soon afterwards, however, overshadowed by Rommel’s subsequent desert advances, the tragedy in Greece, and the war in the Pacific, Bardia slipped from the public mind.

This book attempts to bring Bardia back into the light. Part of the Australian Army Campaign Series, this book is published by the Army History Unit. It is written for members of the Australian Army with a focus on leadership, command, strategy, tactics, lessons and personal experiences of war.

Part of the Australian Army Campaigns Series - 9.

Details: Non-fiction, published 2011.

Format: Soft cover, illustrations (photographs, maps), 196 pages.

Dimensions: 24.5 cm (h) x 17.0 cm (w) x 1.2 cm (d) / 478 grams.