Bardia, Libya

Bardia, also El Burdi or Bardiyah ( or ) is a Mediterranean seaport in the Butnan District of eastern Libya, located near the border with Egypt. It is also occasionally called ''Bórdi Slemán''.

The name Bardia is deeply rooted in the ancient history of the early ancestors of the Tebu (Goran), an Indigenous people—namely, the Tehenu and Temehu, ancient Libyan tribes who were the original inhabitants of the Mediterranean basin at the end of the Old Stone Age (circa 10,000 B.C.). The continuous presence of the region's Indigenous populations extended into the early periods of ancient Egypt and persisted throughout its history, long before the arrival of later groups and the external invasions that reached the Mediterranean coastlines in search of fertile lands. The historical footprint of these populations predates any significant foreign influence on the Mediterranean regions of North Africa, reflecting their deep-rooted connection to the land. Wahli, S. H. (2022, October 7). ''الواحات التباوية السوداء.. جنوب برقة الليبية- إقليم توزر'' he Black Toubou Oases: Southern Barqa of Libya – The Tozeur Region ''Studies and Research in History, Heritage, and Languages''.https://m.ahewar.org/s.asp?aid=770715&r=0&cid=0&u=&i=10076&q=

The correct pronunciation of the name is "Bardai" (also rendered as "Burdu"). In the Tebu language, "Bar" (or "Bur") means "the marked" or "the distinctive mark," and "Dai" (or "Du") means "self," making the full meaning "the marked one" or "the one with the distinctive mark". Leo Africanus (Hassan al-Wazzan), during his travels in the early 16th century (1520s), referred to the Tebu—also known as Goran—as the people of "Bardoa," reflecting this nomenclature.

History

In Roman times the town was known as Petras Maior.

During World War I, German U-boats made several landings in the port of Bardia in support of the Senussi order during the Senussi Campaign.

During World War II, it was the site of a major Italian fortification, invested by the XXIII Corps under the command of General Annibale Bergonzoli. On 21 June 1940, the town was bombarded by the 7th Cruiser Squadron of the Mediterranean Fleet. The bombardment force consisted of the , British cruisers and , the Australian cruiser , and the destroyers HMS '' Dainty'', ''Decoy'', '' Hasty'', and . The bombardment caused minimal damage. The town was taken during Operation Compass by Commonwealth forces consisting mainly of the Australian 6th Division in fighting over 3–5 January 1941 at the Battle of Bardia.

The Axis later reoccupied the town and set up a prisoner of war camp there. On 2 January 1942, Bardia was re-taken by the South African 2nd Infantry Division, led by 1st Battalion, Royal Durban Light Infantry, supported by the New Zealand Divisional Cavalry Regiment and also the South African 2nd Anti-Aircraft Brigade (Light Anti-Aircraft). The South Africans lost approximately 160 men, and the operation freed about 1,150 Allied prisoners of war (including 650 New Zealanders) and took some 8,500 Axis prisoners (German and Italian).

Bardia again changed hands in June 1942, being re-occupied by Axis forces for a third time, but was abandoned without contest in November following the Allied victory at El Alamein.

Bardia is the location of the Bardia Mural, finished in 1942.Simmonds, Donal
"Bardiyah (Bardia) Masterpiece"

References

Further reading

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* - history of New Zealand troops in North Africa in World War II

External links

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{{Al Butnan

Cyrenaica
Populated places in Butnan District
Port cities and towns in Libya