Initial Offensive
In the early hours of 3 August 1940, the Italian Army crossed the border between Italian East Africa (called by the Italians Africa Orientale Italiana, AOI) and British Somaliland.
Because of the rugged hills (rising to over 4,500 ft (1,400 m)) which run parallel to the coast some 50 mi (80 km) inland there were three approaches to Berbera, the capital of British Somaliland and the only port of consequence, which would support the passage of wheeled and tracked vehicles. The most direct route with the widest pass was via Hargeisa.
As a consequence, the Italians advanced with three columns along these three routes. The western column advanced toward the small port of Zeila near the border with French Somaliland, the centre column toward Hargeisa and Adadlek and the eastern column toward Odweina and Burao.
The Italian plan was for the western column to seal off French Somaliland and then send light forces eastwards. The central column would establish a base at Hargeisa and then carry the main weight of the attack through the Mirgo Pass towards Berbera. The eastern column would move to Odweina to cover the central column's flank and be prepared to link up with it if necessary.
On 5 August, the port of Zeila was occupied by the Italian western column commanded by Lieutenant-General Bertoldi. Any possibility of help from French Somaliland for the British was eliminated. As planned small forces then proceeded southeast along the coast and occupied the village of Bulhar.
The Italian central column—commanded by Lt-Gen Carlo De Simone—faced more difficulties because of the mountainous terrain through which it advanced. The column was held up at Hargeisa by the Camel Corps assisted by a company of the Northern Rhodesia Regiment, but De Simone brought up some light tanks, and by 5 August the opposing troops had fallen back. De Simone took two days to reorganise his supply position at Hargeisa and then resumed his advance through the Karrim Pass toward the Tug Argan, a dry sandy river bed, in the Assa Hills.
The eastern column, under Brigadier General Bertello and comprising mainly irregular troops, reached Odweina on 6 August and then headed north west toward Adadle a village on the Tug Argan.
Brig. Chater used his Camel Corps supplemented by small patrols of the Illalos (a small force of tribal levies normally employed on police duties) to skirmish with and screen against the advancing Italians as the other British and Commonwealth forces pulled back towards Tug Argan.
Read more about this topic: Italian Conquest Of British Somaliland
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