Second Battle of Amba Alagi

From Warlike

Q1410792




The Battle of Amba Alagi was fought in May 1941, during World War II, part of the East African Campaign. After the Italian defeat at Keren in April 1941, Prince Amedeo, Duke of Aosta withdrew his forces to the mountain stronghold at Amba Alagi. The mountain had galleries carved into the rock to protect the defending troops and hold ample ammunition and stores and the Italian troops thought themselves to be impregnable. According to other sources, however, the fortress was easily defendable thanks to its position and the mountainous terrain, but lacked food and water, so that Marshal Enrico Caviglia later criticised the Duke for having chosen it for his last stand, calling the Amba Alagi "uno scoglio senz'acqua e senza viveri". The initial attacks on the approaches to Amba Alagi by British troops under Major-General Mayne from the north, commenced on 4 May with a pincer from the eastern and western sides.

1941  WikimediaWikidata
battleUnited Kingdom

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Location: 12.9833, 39.55, KML, Cluster Map, Maps,
4 places

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1941-05-04T00:00:00Z
1941-05-19T00:00:00Z
1941 Second Battle of Amba Alagi
1542-04-14T00:00:00Z
1542-04-26T00:00:00Z
1895-12-07T00:00:00Z
1895-12-07T00:00:00Z
1936-03-31T00:00:00Z
1936-03-31T00:00:00Z
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Italian vehicles abandoned in Amba AlagiItalian vehicles abandoned in Amba Alagi
Seyoum Mengesha addressing his troopsSeyoum Mengesha addressing his troops
SAF-East-Africa-79 colorizedSAF-East-Africa-79 colorized
Amba Alagi ridgeAmba Alagi ridge
SAF-East-Africa-79SAF-East-Africa-79
Indian troops in Amba AlagiIndian troops in Amba Alagi
25-pounder gun in Amba Alagi25-pounder gun in Amba Alagi
Map of Amba Alagi (1941)Map of Amba Alagi (1941)
Surrender of the Duke of AostaSurrender of the Duke of Aosta
    TypeSubtypeDateDescriptionNotesSource
    eventarmed conflict1542Battle of JarteOttoman Empire, battle, Ethiopian Empire, Portuguese Empire, Adal SultanateWikidata
    eventarmed conflict1895Battle of Amba AlagibattleWikidata
    eventarmed conflict1936Battle of MaychewbattleWikidata
    eventarmed conflict1941Second Battle of Amba AlagiUnited Kingdom, battleWikidata
    commonsimageItalian vehicles abandoned in Amba Alagi Commons
    commonsimageSeyoum Mengesha addressing his troops Commons
    commonsimageSAF-East-Africa-79 colorized Commons
    commonsimageAmba Alagi ridge Commons
    commonsimageSAF-East-Africa-79 Commons
    commonsimageIndian troops in Amba Alagi Commons
    commonsimage25-pounder gun in Amba Alagi Commons
    commonsimageMap of Amba Alagi (1941) Commons
    commonsimageSurrender of the Duke of Aosta Commons