Raid on Bardia
| Raid on Bardia | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Siege of Tobruk, during the Second World War | |||||||
British commandos in landing craft | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
|
United Kingdom Australia |
Germany Italy | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Lieutenant Colonel Colvin | Erwin Rommel | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
|
A Battalion Layforce RTR Troop HMS Glengyle HMS Coventry HMAS Stuart HMAS Voyager HMAS Waterhen HMS Triumph | |||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
|
1 killed 70 captured |
1 artillery battery destroyed 1 supply dump destroyed | ||||||
The Raid on Bardia was an amphibious landing at the coastal town of Bardia in North Africa by British Commandos over the night of 19/20 April 1941 during the Second World War. The raid was carried out by No. 7 Commando, also known as A Battalion Layforce, together with a small detachment from the Royal Tank Regiment; the raiders were supported by five navy ships and a submarine. The raid destroyed an Italian artillery battery and a supply dump. It was deemed a success despite the loss of 71 men. The more lasting strategic effect of the raid was the diversion of a German armoured brigade from the front line to provide rear area security.