Libyan Arab Force
The Libyan Arab Force (LAF)[1], also known as the Sanusi Army,[2] was established in 1940,[3] reaching it's maximum strength of five battalions (most likely intended to operate as infantry) made up of volunteers, exiles and refugees (which resided in Egypt) it was established in order to aid the British war effort.[4] With the exception of one military engagement near to Benghazi, this force's role did not extend beyond support and gendarmerie duties.[5] It was initially known as the British Arab Force and was renamed the Cyrenaica Defence Force in March 26, 1943.[6]
Background[edit]
Following the outbreak of World War II in August 31, 1939 (Gleiwitz incident), Idris of Libya supported the United Kingdom—which was now at war with Italy—in the hope of ridding his country of Italian occupation. He argued that even if the Italians were victorious, the situation for the Libyan people would be no different than it had been before the war. Delegates from both the Cyrenaicans and Tripolitanians agreed that Idris should conclude agreements with the British that they would gain independence in return for support during the war.[5] Vladimir Peniakoff was commissioned as a second lieutenant served in the Libyan Arab Force.[7] before creating a unit known as Popski's Private Army.
Shortly after Italy entered the war, a number of Libyan leaders living in exile in Egypt called on their compatriots to organise themselves into military units and join the British in the war against the Axis powers.[citation needed] Five battalions, which were initially designed for guerrilla warfare in the Jabal al Akhdar region of Cyrenaica, were established under British command.[citation needed] Because the high mobility of the desert campaigns required a considerable degree of technical and mechanical expertise, the Libyan forces were used primarily as auxiliaries, guarding military installations and prisoners.[citation needed] At least three battalions participated in the fighting at the Siege of Tobruk until June of that year.[8]
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After the British retreat from Cyrenaica during Operation Sonnenblume (February 6 – May 25 1941) the military administration of Cyrenaica lapsed. In the autumn preparations were made for the administration of Cyrenaica again once it had been reoccupied. On October 14th, GHQ Middle East revived a small military administration for Cyrenaica commanded by Brigadier Stephen Longrigg. A small number of people were transferred to 102 Military Mission which had trained the British Sanusi Army, later called the Libyan Arab Force. The new establishment began on December 19th at the fall of Derna.[9]
The force did partake in the Second Battle of El Alamein as 3rd Libyan Arab Force under Eighth Army (United Kingdom) and was assigned guard duties.[10] Later on the Western Desert campaign in 1943, at least one battalion was stationed in Egypt as 2nd Libyan Arab Force.[11]
After Britain occupied Cyrenaica, the need for the British-trained and equipped Sanusi troops appeared to be over. The Sanusi Army was reluctant to disband and the majority of its members arranged to be transferred to the local police force in Cyrenaica under the British military administration. It was finally disbanded in August and September 1943.[citation needed] When Libya gained its independence in December 24, 1951, veterans of the original Sanusi Army formed the nucleus of the Royal Libyan Army.[citation needed]
The roots of the 1951–2011 Libyan armed forces can be traced to the Libyan Arab Force (popularly).[12]
References[edit]
- ^ "Covert Operations, British Views of Islam and Anglo-Sanusi Relations in North Africa, 1940–45". www.tandfonline.com.
- ^ Colonel W. H. Kingsberry M.B.E. (2009). "The Cyrenaica Defence Force". www.tandfonline.com.
- ^ "Operation Idris: Inside the British Administration of Cyrenaica and Libya, 1942-52". www.jstor.org.
- ^ "Libya, Febuary 1974, National Intelligence Survey" (PDF). www.cia.gov.
- ^ a b Vandewalle 2006, p. 36.
- ^ "History: P/M Speedy, Scots Guards, and a Libyan Band he Trained During WW2".
- ^ "No. 35063". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 January 1941. pp. 681–682.
- ^ "The Libyan Arab Force during the Second World War". blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk.
- ^ Rodd 1970, pp. 243–244.
- ^ "British Forces Battle of El Alamein 23 October 1942" (PDF). usacac.army.mil.
- ^ "British Troops in Egypt (1943)" (PDF). www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk.
- ^ Metz 1989.
Bibliography[edit]
- Metz, Helen Chapin, ed. (1989). Libya: A Country Study. Area Handbook. Library of Congress. Federal Research Division.
- Rodd, F. (1970) [1948]. British Military Administration of Occupied Territories in Africa during the Years 1941–1947 (repr. Greenwood Press, CT ed.). London: HMSO. OCLC 1056143039.
- Vandewalle, Dirk (2006). A History of Modern Libya. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0521615549.
Further reading[edit]
- Baldinetti, Anna (2010). The Origins of the Libyan Nation: Colonial Legacy, Exile and the Emergence of a New Nation-State. London: Routledge. ISBN 9781135245023.
- Kelly, Saul (2010). War & Politics in the Desert: Britain and Libya during the Second World War. London: Silphium Press. ISBN 9781900971096.