First I doubted my senses (and the GPS) but when we found small parts of the truck, then we knew that the wreck which was sitting there in the sand since 1942 has definitely been removed from its 'restplace'. I real big disapointment. A year ago I was there for the last time and had even placed a tag on it, asking not to remove it since it is a 'monument' of the Libyan history. I could not explain, who would have removed it. There was not enough metal to make it worth to load it and bring it to the scrap-oven at the steel factory of Misuratha up at the coast. An tourists? For sure not - how should they bring such big part out of the country? Sad thing but we could do nothing and continued our journey... Some pics of the last time I had seen the wreck:
What a shame; I would imagine as you say that the value in say scrap would not recompense the effort involved in removing it.
There've been several desert recoveries over the years, I'd certainly have rather it was left there, but hopefully it at least still survives. Wonder if it'll turn up on Milweb.
Not on Milweb.... About 300kms further on I was very surprised to see the wreck again: It is dumped now at the memorial of 'Hawari'. Here around the Libyan Freedom Fighters (or rebels as per the Italian point of vew) gave their last stand on 19 January 1931. The place is about 25 kms north of Kufra. Nice to have such memorial in principle. But the truck has nothing to do with the Italian attack and is more than 10 years younger.... similar error as the M3 tank which is located there and said to be one of Graziani's tanks. You don't have to be very knowledgeable in tanks. But if "1942" is stamped into the gun-barell, then you should be able to exclude that Graziani used it in 1931. Pity as well that the transport and the dumping did not do any good to the wreck of the truck.
Hi, I'm heading to Tobruk for a month or so. After some info on sights to see there. Tank wreaks, planes etc. Kiwi interest as well. Thanks in advance, Heff3
