Ettangi is a town near Derna (in Cyrenaica) known for the battle fought between Italian soldiers and Libyan guerrillas on from 18 — 19 June 1913. The battle ended in a disastrous Libyan defeat.

This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2024)

Quick Facts Date, Location ...

Battle of Ettangi
Part of the First Italo-Senussi War
Date 18 — 19 June 1913 Location Ettangi, 15 kilometers south-west of Derna, Libya Result Italian victory Breaking of the encirclement of the Italian garrison in Derna Territorial changes Destruction of the rebel camp in Ettangi and capture by the Italians
Belligerents
Kingdom of Italy	Senussi Order
Commanders and leaders
Tommaso Salsa [it]	Unknown
Casualties and losses
26 dead and 236 wounded[1]	500 dead, wounded and captured[1]

Close

A first attempt to expel the Libyan guerrillas from Ettangi, in order to begin the occupation of the Libyan hinterland, took place on 16 May 1913, which however failed, causing unfavorable political repercussions.

On 18 June 1913, General Tommaso Salsa [it] decided to try the action again by advancing from Cyrene, together with the general Tassoni's division. Three Italian columns, commanded by General Salsa, moved towards the rebel camp of Ettangi with the precise aim of destroying it. The columns were made up of the following departments: the one on the right (General Cavaciocchi: 4 Alpine battalions, 2 Eritrean, 4 mountain batteries), on the left (General Mambretti: 4 infantry battalions, 2 mountain batteries and one field battery, another 3 infantry battalions in reserve); central, connecting the other two (Colonel Arista, with 2 infantry battalions and a company of Libyan askari).

On 19 June the Italian troops conquered the enemy outposts. The battle ended the following day with the capture of Sidi Garbàa and Ettangi. The enemy camp was found abandoned and before leaving it the Libyan guerrillas destroyed the powder magazines and the food stores.