Capture of Kufra

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (September 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Capture of Kufra
Part of Operation Compass, during the Second World War
UN map of Libya, Kufra (now Al Kufrah) to the south-east
Date 31 January – 1 March 1941 (1 month and 1 day) Location Kufra, Libya 24°11′N 23°17′E / 24.183°N 23.283°E / 24.183; 23.283 Result Allied victory
Belligerents
Free France  United Kingdom	Italy  Libya
Commanders and leaders
Philippe Leclerc Pat Clayton	Capt. Colonna
Strength
1 FFF Battalion (350 men) 1 LRDG (76 men) 60 trucks	2 Italian Askari Company (310 men) 1 Auto-Saharan Company (120 men) 20 trucks 4 aircraft
Casualties and losses
4 killed 21 wounded	3 killed 4 wounded 282 captured 3 aircraft destroyed

The Capture of Kufra (French: Prise de Koufra, Italian: Cufra) was part of the Allied Western Desert Campaign during the Second World War. Kufra is a group of oases in the Kufra District of south-eastern Cyrenaica in the Libyan Desert. In 1940, it was part of the colony of Italian Libya Libia Italiana, which was part of Africa Settentrionale Italiana (ASI), which had been established in 1934. With some early assistance from the British Long Range Desert Group, Kufra was besieged from 31 January to 1 March 1941 by Free French forces which forced the surrender of the Italian and Libyan garrison.