Combat deployment at Tobruk

The Libyan port of Tobruk was crucial for supplying troops in North Africa. From October 21, 1941, the Czechoslovak Infantry Battalion 11 – East, under the command of Lt. Col. Karel Klapálek joined the defence of Tobruk, besieged by German and Italian troops. The Czechoslovaks reached Tobruk aboard three destroyers – HMS Hero, HMS Hasty and HMS Napier. The battalion was incorporated under the Polish Independent Carpathian Rifle Brigade and took over part of the perimeter for about 5 kilometres along the road to the port of Derna. On this stretch, the Czechoslovak soldiers also took 13 former Italian fortalices, the largest (and still the most famous) of which was Fort S-19, nicknamed "Honza". On this stretch, the Czechoslovaks were opposed by units of the Italian divisions of Trento and Brescia. The Czechoslovak Infantry Battalion remained in position at Tobruk until the end of March 1942 and returned to Tobruk in early April. Casualties amounted to 14 soldiers; 26 were wounded severely, 55 slightly.