GIARABUB 1942
This is an Italian flag-waver made in 1942 about the Dec 1940 to March 1941 defence of Giarabub oasis. The oasis is located 200 odd miles south of Tobruk. The garrison consisted of around 1,300 Italian and 600 plus Libyan soldiers.
The Italian garrison is caught behind Commonwealth lines after the collapse of the main Italian front at Tobruk. Australian mechanized troops are soon encircling the garrison. The Aussies prevent re-supply by ground.
The Aussies expecting the Italians to cave quickly try a quick assault attempting to overrun the garrison. A brisk counter-attack by the Italians takes back the lost ground. The Commonwealth forces pull back and stick to aggressive patrolling. They also whistle up the Desert Airforce to deliver a few bombs. The Airforce boys also prevent the Italians from flying in any supplies.
The Australians build up their forces before trying a few more probing attacks. The Italian officer in charge, played by Carlo Nichi, keeps a tight hand on his troops. The Italians are keeping Commonwealth troops needed on the coast busy by their stubborn resistance.
Finally the Aussies bring up a battery of 25 pounder howitzers. They slowly destroy one Italian position after another and occupy each in order. The Italian garrison is suffering from a lack of food. The Libyan troops have also deserted. The garrison finally surrenders and is bundled off to the Suez.
The Australians occupy Giarabub but evacuate after only 2 days. Rommel has launched his March counter-offensive and is rolling up the British forces. The Australians end up as part of the troops defending Tobruk during the upcoming siege by the Africa Korps.
The garrison officers and men were all hailed as heroes in Italy. (They were one of the few units at the time that held their own)The rest of the cast includes, Mario Ferrari, Doris Duranti, Carlo Romano, Elio Steiner, Ermino Spalla and Guido Notari.
The film was directed by Goffredo Alessandrini.
For a propaganda piece, this one is pretty good. There are plenty of real Italian weapons, including several Fiat Cr 42 biplane fighters on screen. The battle scenes are well handled with plenty of pyrotechnics on display. Worth hunting up if you are a WW2 war film fan.
This is an Italian flag-waver made in 1942 about the Dec 1940 to March 1941 defence of Giarabub oasis. The oasis is located 200 odd miles south of Tobruk. The garrison consisted of around 1,300 Italian and 600 plus Libyan soldiers.
The Italian garrison is caught behind Commonwealth lines after the collapse of the main Italian front at Tobruk. Australian mechanized troops are soon encircling the garrison. The Aussies prevent re-supply by ground.
The Aussies expecting the Italians to cave quickly try a quick assault attempting to overrun the garrison. A brisk counter-attack by the Italians takes back the lost ground. The Commonwealth forces pull back and stick to aggressive patrolling. They also whistle up the Desert Airforce to deliver a few bombs. The Airforce boys also prevent the Italians from flying in any supplies.
The Australians build up their forces before trying a few more probing attacks. The Italian officer in charge, played by Carlo Nichi, keeps a tight hand on his troops. The Italians are keeping Commonwealth troops needed on the coast busy by their stubborn resistance.
Finally the Aussies bring up a battery of 25 pounder howitzers. They slowly destroy one Italian position after another and occupy each in order. The Italian garrison is suffering from a lack of food. The Libyan troops have also deserted. The garrison finally surrenders and is bundled off to the Suez.
The Australians occupy Giarabub but evacuate after only 2 days. Rommel has launched his March counter-offensive and is rolling up the British forces. The Australians end up as part of the troops defending Tobruk during the upcoming siege by the Africa Korps.
The garrison officers and men were all hailed as heroes in Italy. (They were one of the few units at the time that held their own)The rest of the cast includes, Mario Ferrari, Doris Duranti, Carlo Romano, Elio Steiner, Ermino Spalla and Guido Notari.
The film was directed by Goffredo Alessandrini.
For a propaganda piece, this one is pretty good. There are plenty of real Italian weapons, including several Fiat Cr 42 biplane fighters on screen. The battle scenes are well handled with plenty of pyrotechnics on display. Worth hunting up if you are a WW2 war film fan.