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The Libyan Arab Force, also known as the known as the Sanusi Army, consisting of five infantry battalions made up of volunteers, was established to aid the British war effort. With the exception of one military engagement near to Benghazi, this force's role did not extend beyond support and gendarmerie duties.^[1] It was initially known as the British Arab Force and was renamed the Cyrenaica Defence Force in March 1943.

Background

Following the outbreak of World War II in 1939, 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.^[1] Vladimir Peniakoff was commissioned as a second lieutenant served in the Libyan Arab Force.^[2] 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. Five battalions, which were initially designed for guerrilla warfare in the Jabal al Akhdar region of Cyrenaica, were established under British command. 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. One battalion participated in the fighting at the Siege of Tobruk (April–November 1941).

After the British retreat from Cyrenaica during Operation Sonnenblume (6 February – 25 May 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 14 October, 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 Senussi Army, later called the Libyan Arab Force. The new establishment began on 19 December at the fall of Derna.^[3]

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. When Libya gained its independence in 1951, veterans of the original Sanusi Army formed the nucleus of the Royal Libyan Army.

The roots of the 1951–2011 Libyan armed forces can be traced to the Libyan Arab Force (popularly).^[4]

References

^ ^a ^b Vandewalle 2006, p. 36.
^ "No. 35063". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 January 1941. pp. 681–682.
^ Rodd 1970, pp. 243–244.
^ Metz 1989.

Bibliography

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.

External links

The Libyan Arab Force during the Second World War at The National Archives (United Kingdom)

[FOOTNOTEVandewalle200636-1] Vandewalle 2006, p. 36.

[2] "No. 35063". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 January 1941. pp. 681–682.

[FOOTNOTERodd1970243–244-3] Rodd 1970, pp. 243–244.

[FOOTNOTEMetz1989-4] Metz 1989.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Short description|Volunteer army in Libya (1941–1951)}}
+The '''Libyan Arab Force''', also known as the known as the [[Senusiyya|Sanusi]] Army, consisting of five infantry battalions made up of volunteers, was established to aid the British war effort. With the exception of one military engagement near to [[Benghazi]], this force's role did not extend beyond support and gendarmerie duties.{{sfn|Vandewalle|2006|p=36}} It was initially known as the '''British Arab Force''' and was renamed the '''Cyrenaica Defence Force''' in March 1943.
-The '''Libyan Arab Force''' (LAF),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03086530903010392 |title=Covert Operations, British Views of Islam and Anglo-Sanusi Relations in North Africa, 1940–45 |website=www.tandfonline.com}}</ref> also known as the [[Senusiyya|Sanusi]] Army,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/03071844309419525 |title=The Cyrenaica Defence Force |author=Colonel W. H. Kingsberry M.B.E. |date=2009 |website=www.tandfonline.com}}</ref> was established in August 3-4, 1940,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvk8w129 |title=Operation Idris: Inside the British Administration of Cyrenaica and Libya, 1942-52 |website=www.jstor.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/83/6691.pdf |title=Memorial submitted by the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya |website=www.icj-cij.org |author=GREAT SOCIALIST PEOPLE'S LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA |date=26 August 1991 |volume=I}}</ref> ultimately reaching a formation of 30,000 personnel,<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265808789_Behind_the_Battle_Lines_Italian_Atrocities_and_the_Persecution_of_Arabs_Berbers_and_Jews_in_North_Africa_during_World_War_II |title=Behind the Battle Lines: Italian Atrocities and the Persecution of Arabs, Berbers, and Jews in North Africa during World War II |website=www.researchgate.net |author=Patrick Bernhard |date=December 2012 |doi=10.1093/hgs/dcs054}}</ref> while presumably starting of with a formation of 11,084 soldiers and 96 officers<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://jewlscholar.mtsu.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/da3e14d0-9d6f-441e-b28b-64dcb31a622c/content |title=LIBYAN-AMERICAN RELATIONS, 1951-1959 THE DECADE OF WEAKNESS |website=jewlscholar.mtsu.edu |author=Hasan Karayam |date=December 2018}}</ref> it's authorized strength reached five battalions<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://trepo.tuni.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/101507/GRADU-1497353590.pdf |title=“CYRENAICA IS PARAMOUNT” |website=trepo.tuni.fi |author=HONKONEN JOHANNA |date=May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=https://pure.manchester.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/220273248/FULL_TEXT.PDF |title=Masculinities, Heroic Self-Fashioning and Popular Culture |website=pure.manchester.ac.uk |author=Simon Browne |date=2020}}</ref> (most likely intended to operate as infantry) made up of volunteers, exiles<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://research.bangor.ac.uk/portal/files/20577813/null |title=The social, cultural, and political impact of the British Military Administration on Libya, 1943-1951 |website=research.bangor.ac.uk |author=Yousef Mohamed Ali Madi |date=April 2018}}</ref> and refugees (which resided in Egypt) it was established in order to aid the British war effort (presumably because of their expertise in desert navigation)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://coffeeordie.com/libyan-desert-taxi-service |title=HOW THE BRITISH ‘LIBYAN DESERT TAXI SERVICE’ COMMITTED DESERT PIRACY DURING WORLD WAR II |website=coffeeordie.com |author=Matt Fratus |date=22 July 2021}}</ref> as part of [[Eighth Army (United Kingdom)]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP01-00707R000200080014-2.pdf |title=Libya, February 1974, National Intelligence Survey |website=www.cia.gov}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/libyan-studies/article/abs/sls-and-the-modern-history-of-libya/968549868B5CE596DA11CC0A38FEFC41 |title=The SLS and the modern history of Libya |website=www.cambridge.org |date=22 October 2019 |author=Saul Kelly |doi=10.1017/lis.2019.10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/middleeast/725413/Libya-Brothers-in-arms.html |title=Libya: Brothers in arms |website=www.telegraph.co.uk |date=12 November 2002 |author=Paula Hardy}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=https://academiccommons.columbia.edu/doi/10.7916/D8QF910V/download |title=Italy and the Sanusiyya; Negotiating Authority in Colonial Libya, 1911-1931 |website=academiccommons.columbia.edu |author=Eileen Ryan |date=2012}}</ref>  With the exception of one military engagement near to [[Benghazi]], this force's role did not extend beyond support and gendarmerie duties.{{sfn|Vandewalle|2006|p=36}} It was initially known as the '''British Arab Force''' and was renamed the '''Cyrenaica Defence Force''' in March 26, 1943.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pipingpress.com/2023/01/23/history-p-m-speedy-scots-guards-and-a-libyan-band-he-trained-during-ww2/ |title=History: P/M Speedy, Scots Guards, and a Libyan Band he Trained During WW2}}</ref>
 ==Background==
-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.{{sfn|Vandewalle|2006|p=36}} [[Vladimir Peniakoff]] was commissioned as a [[second lieutenant]] served in the Libyan Arab Force.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=35063|supp=y|pages=681–682|date=31 January 1941}}</ref> before creating a unit known as [[Popski's Private Army]].
+Following the outbreak of [[World War II]] in 1939, [[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.{{sfn|Vandewalle|2006|p=36}} [[Vladimir Peniakoff]] was commissioned as a [[second lieutenant]] served in the Libyan Arab Force.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=35063|supp=y|pages=681–682|date=31 January 1941}}</ref> 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|date=May 2024}} Five battalions, which were initially designed for guerrilla warfare in the [[Jabal al Akhdar]] region of [[Cyrenaica]], were established under British command.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}} 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|date=May 2024}} At least three battalions participated in the fighting at the [[Siege of Tobruk]] until June of that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/the-libyan-arab-force-during-the-second-world-war/ |title=The Libyan Arab Force during the Second World War |website=blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk}}</ref>
+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. Five battalions, which were initially designed for guerrilla warfare in the [[Jabal al Akhdar]] region of [[Cyrenaica]], were established under British command. 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. One battalion participated in the fighting at the [[Siege of Tobruk]] (April–November 1941).
+After the British retreat from Cyrenaica during [[Operation Sonnenblume]] (6 February – 25 May 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 14 October, GHQ Middle East revived a small military administration for Cyrenaica commanded by Brigadier [[Stephen Hemsley Longrigg|Stephen Longrigg]]. A small number of people were transferred to 102 Military Mission which had trained the British Senussi Army, later called the Libyan Arab Force. The new establishment began on 19 December at the fall of Derna.{{sfn|Rodd|1970|pp=243–244}}
-In {{circa|1941}} during the events in the Levant area [[Syria–Lebanon campaign]] and namely Britan's recognition of then Emperor Haile Selassie as the ruler of Ethopia, had spurred [[Idris of Libya]] to refuse a British military request of transferring two LAF battalions as a guard force in the recently captured Syrian territory.<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00263206.2014.933424 |title=Desert Conquests; Early British Planning on the future of the Italian Colonies, June 1940 – September 1943. |website=www.tandfonline.com |author=Saul Kelly |date=6 October 2014 |doi=10.1080/00263206.2014.933424}}</ref> Around the same time period at least two Senussi officers (part of the LAF) served as guides in [[Operation Flipper]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.combinedops.com/Black%20Hackle.htm |title=11 (Scottish) Commando. |website=www.combinedops.com}}</ref>
+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. When Libya gained its independence in 1951, veterans of the original Sanusi Army formed the nucleus of the [[Royal Libyan Army]].
-In {{circa|September 1942}} at least two Senussi "spies" (which were part of the LAF) participated in [[Operation Caravan]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://the-bay-museum.co.uk/2022/09/13/operation-agreement/ |title=OPERATION AGREEMENT |website=the-bay-museum.co.uk}}</ref> Around the same time period at least 25 commandos from LAF were part of the [[Long Range Desert Group]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Special Operations in World War II |author=Andrew L. Hargreaves |date=2013 |isbn=978-0-8061-4396-5 |volume=XXXIX |series=Campaigns and Commanders}}</ref>
-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 Hemsley Longrigg|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.{{sfn|Rodd|1970|pp=243–244}}
-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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://usacac.army.mil/sites/default/files/documents/carl/nafziger/942BJOC.pdf |title=British Forces Battle of El Alamein 23 October 1942 |website=usacac.army.mil}}</ref> Later on the [[Western Desert campaign]] in 1943, at least one battalion was stationed in Egypt as 2nd Libyan Arab Force.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/124/2020/07/British-Troops-Egypt-1943.pdf |title=British Troops in Egypt (1943) |website=www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk}}</ref>
-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|date=May 2024}} 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|date=May 2024}}
 The roots of the 1951–2011 Libyan armed forces can be traced to the Libyan Arab Force (popularly).{{sfn|Metz|1989}}
-== Notable personnel ==
-[[Vladimir Peniakoff]]<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/2929338/521594.pdf |title=An Analysis of the Rise, Use, Evolution and value of anglo-american commando and special forces formations 1939-1945 |website=kclpure.kcl.ac.uk |author=ANDREW LENNOX HARGREAVES |date=August 2008}}</ref>
-Major Ian Selby Nevill (2nd I/C of 4th Battalion Libyan Arab Force)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://soeinburma.com/the-men-of-soe-burma/ |title=The Men of SOE Burma |website=soeinburma.com |author=Dr. Richard Duckett}}</ref>
-[[Norman Dalrymple Anderson]]<ref>{{cite book|title=SOURCES IN BRITISH POLITICAL HISTORY 1900-1951 |author=CHRIS COOK |date=1985 |isbn=978-1-349-17827-8 |doi=10.1007/978-1-349-17825-4 |volume=VI}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/Delivery.cfm/SSRN_ID1992143_code1323756.pdf?abstractid=1992143&mirid=1 |title=Northern Nigeria’s Settlement of 1960: Who Was Who |website=papers.ssrn.com |author=Sati Fwatshak Philip Ostien |date=27 January 2012}}</ref>
-Company Sergeant Major William Arthur Doncaster (presumably was a part of 2nd Battalion [[Palestine Regiment]])<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/QRWS_Personal_D_E.pdf |title=SURREY HISTORY SERVICE; SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL |website=www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk}}</ref>
-Staff Sergeant Christopher Fraser (previously part of [[No. 11 (Scottish) Commando]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.commandoveterans.org/Christopher_Fraser_11Commando |title=FRASER, Christopher |website=www.commandoveterans.org }}</ref>
-nd/Lieutenant L. J. P. Watts (originally from 8th Battalion [[Worcestershire Regiment]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worcestershireregiment.com/h_tobruk_1942.php |title=1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment 1941 - 1942 |website=www.worcestershireregiment.com |author=Louis Scully}}</ref>
-nd/Lieutenant Yunnie, Robert Park "Bob" (later joined [[Popski's Private Army]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.unithistories.com/officers/Army_officers_Y01.html |title=British Army Officers 1939-1945 |website=www.unithistories.com |author=Hans Houterman Jeroen Koppes}}</ref>
-Lieutenant Colonel John Haselden Edward "Jock" (later commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Intelligence Corps)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hambo.org/kingscanterbury/view_man.php?id=273 |title=Lieutenant Colonel John HASELDEN MC and Bar |website=www.hambo.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/45647/Haselden-John-Edward-Jock.htm |title=Haselden, John Edward "Jock" |website=www.tracesofwar.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lrdg.org/trooper-biographies.html |title=The Men of the LRDG |website=www.lrdg.org |author=Jack Valenti}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=GHOST PATROL; A History of the Long Range Desert Group, 1940-1945 |author=John Sadler |date=2015 |isbn=978-1-61200-842-4}}</ref>
-L. P. Mosdell (as of June 2024, unknown rank)<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.abingdon.org.uk/uploads/school/files/abingdonian/1946_Christmas_V008_N014.pdf |title=The ABINGDONIAN |website=www.abingdon.org.uk |date=1946 |volume=VIII}}</ref>
-(.doc file list of some KIA personnel that were part of LAF,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cwgc.org/ExportCasualtySearch?Cemetery=ALAMEIN+MEMORIAL&Page=1&Tab=exact |title=Casualty Search}}</ref> and another webpage of some Allied merchant personnel that were part of LAF)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/listing.html?letter=S |title=Ships hit by U-boats |website=uboat.net |author=Guðmundur Helgason}}</ref>
 ==References==
@@ Line 54: / Line 26: @@
 ==External links==
-* [https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/the-libyan-arab-force-during-the-second-world-war/ The Libyan Arab Force during the Second World War] at [[The National Archives (United Kingdom)]]
+* [https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/the-libyan-arab-force-during-the-second-world-war/? The Libyan Arab Force during the Second World War] at [[The National Archives (United Kingdom)]]
 [[Category:Libya in World War II]]

Revision as of 06:23, 14 June 2024

Background

References

Bibliography

Further reading

External links