Hello everybody, I'm trying to find a reasonable figure for the number of Axis troops garrisoning the twin stronghold of Sidi Omar on the eve of the 7th Indian Brigade attack of 22 November 1941. I know the OOB - just trying to figure out the actual numbers. A report published in the April 1942 issue of the US Information Bulletin, and surely drawing on Commonwealth sources (it's online on the Lone Sentry website) mentions a tally of Axis prisoners taken during the action (3,600) which looks substantially inflated. Perhaps Andreas has got any information about that? Thanks in advance.
Sandbox and why not 3800 as 8th Army captured more than a quarter of a million of them in MAY '43 - at Tunis Cheers
Sources indicate total Italian losses in that sector (Bardia not included) 18 November 41 to 8 January 42 amounted to roughly 200 dead, 400 wounded and 2000 missing of whom 600 presumably dead or wounded. By far the heaviest losses were incurred at Sidi Omar, the only stronghold actually fallen to Indian action. The other strongpoints either repulsed any attacks or were never seriously taken on. The Germans were just a few hundred men strewn along the line. The bulk of them, an infantry battalion, was at Halfaya where casualties were minimal until the final surrender about mid-January 42. At Sidi Omar they lost one Oasis company and a limited number of artillerymen and other technical troops. 3600 seems to be more than all casualties combined over a nearly 2 months period along the entire stretch Halfaya to Sidi Omar. It just doesn't add up, like the figures given for the Axis dead (25) and wounded (150). Thank you
The area was garrisoned by the 55th Infantry Division " Savona ", later surrended in Bardia. I think that 5.800 POW could be a reasonnable number for a single division. We lost nearly 23.000 men during Crusader. As the 8000 POW of Empire forces captured in the same actions knows, is difficult to flee by foot in the desert. I will search for details about Sidi Omar http://www.regioesercito.it/reparti/fanteria/rediv55.htm
The initial estimate in 7 Indian Brigades WD is 3,400-3,500. The garrison was 16 Infantry Regiment, with some sprinkling from the Germans and of course supporting artillery and other units. I would agree however that 3,600 is probably an overstatement, that would be about half the Savona division. Interestingly, on the 24th 8 Army reported to London it had taken over 3,000 POW (including 1,000 Germans) at Sidi Omar and Tobruk. Given that Tobruk POW were well over 1,000 by that stage, it would put the Sidi Omar number at maybe about 2,500, which seems far more reasonable. All the best Andreas
Looking through 8 Army reports now, the initial report from Sidi Omar and Sidi Omar Nuovo from 13 Corps was for 2,000 POW. From Tobruk it was for 1,300 POW. Add in a few hundred for the operations of the New Zealanders, and you get to 3,600. So I would presume that this was the total of POW taken for operations up to the 24th November. All the best Andreas
