Italian Conquest of British Somaliland - British Evacuation From Berbera

British Evacuation From Berbera

While the British made their retreat to Berbera, the Royal Navy had constructed an all-tide jetty and had commenced evacuating civilian and administrative officials. On 16 August, the British started to embark troops onto the waiting ships.

On 17 August, an Italian column was reported at Bulhar, some 40 mi (64 km) west of Berbera. HMS Ceres—patrolling off the coast—engaged the column and halted it. De Simone's forces advancing from Tug Argan were very cautious and did not attack the Barkasan rearguard until late morning on 17 August when they were held by determined resistance including a fierce bayonet charge by the Black Watch. After dark, the rearguard was withdrawn to Berbera. The entire British and Commonwealth contingent withdrew to Berbera with minimal losses and loading of the ships was completed in the early hours of 18 August, although HMAS Hobart—with the force headquarters aboard—remained at Berbera to collect stragglers and continue the destruction of vehicles, fuel and stores until the morning of 19 August before sailing for Aden. Three Australians from HMAS Hobart missing feared dead were to become the first Australian WW2 POWs. In total, 7,000 people, including civilians, were evacuated. The local Somalis of the Somaliland Camel Corps had been given the choice of evacuation or disbandment and the large majority chose to remain and were allowed to retain their arms.

The British defenders had little interference in this operation. It is possible that this was because on 15 August, the Duke of Aosta had ordered Gen. Nasi to allow the British to evacuate without too much fighting. He did this in the hope of a possible future peace agreement, that was being promoted through the Vatican mediation, between Italy and Great Britain.

On 19 August, the Italians took control of Berbera and then moved down the coast to complete their conquest of British Somaliland. The British colony was annexed by Mussolini to the "Italian Empire" as a part of Italian East Africa.