Port Sudan in WW2 History | World War II Database

9 Jun 1940

Anglo-Egyptian Sudan

The Italian passenger-cargo ship SS Umbria with a secret cargo of 6,000 tons of bombs, 600 cases of detonators, 100 tons of various weapons, more than 2,000 tons of cement, and three Fiat 1100 cars aboard, was stopped by British warships HMS Grimsby and HMS Leander in the Red Sea. The captain of the Umbria, Muiesan Lorenzo, was unaware that war had been declared between the Allies and Italy until the ship had been stopped. The British ordered the ship to anchor off Silayet Reef outside of Port Sudan, Sudan. The captain then set scuttling charges without the British guards knowing and then asked if he could run an emergency training session for his crew to launch lifeboats. The British guard agreed, once the crews were clear explosions were heard and the Umbria started to sink, attempts were made to stop the ship taking on water but to no avail and the guards had to radio for help. ww2dbase [Port Sudan | HM]

14 Feb 1941

Anglo-Egyptian Sudan

The 14th Demi-Brigade de marche de la Légion Étrangère under the command of Colonel Raoul Magrin-Vernerey landed unopposed at Port Sudan, Sudan. ww2dbase [Invasion of Italian East Africa | Port Sudan | AC]

1 Mar 1941

Anglo-Egyptian Sudan

In Port Sudan, Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, as HMS Formidable waited for mine clearing operations to complete in the Suez Canal, she launched 5 Albacore aircraft to bomb Massawa, Eritrea, Italian East Africa, causing little damage. ww2dbase [Invasion of Italian East Africa | Port Sudan | CPC]

25 Mar 1941

Anglo-Egyptian Sudan

Two Swordfish aircraft squadrons of HMS Eagle were temporarily transferred to Port Sudan, Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. ww2dbase [Eagle | Port Sudan | CPC]

17 Jan 1942

Anglo-Egyptian Sudan

HMS Indomitable departed Port Sudan in British East Africa with 48 RAF Hurricane fighters for Singapore in Operation Opposition. ww2dbase [Indomitable | Port Sudan | CPC]

25 Feb 1942

Anglo-Egyptian Sudan

HMS Indomitable arrived at Port Sudan in British East Africa and received Hurricane fighters and personnel of No. 30 and No. 261 Squadrons. ww2dbase [Indomitable | Port Sudan | CPC]

27 Feb 1942

Anglo-Egyptian Sudan

HMS Indomitable departed Port Sudan, British East Africa, escorted by Australian destroyers Napier and Nestor. ww2dbase [Indomitable | Port Sudan | CPC]

Timeline Section Founder: Thomas Houlihan
Contributors: Alan Chanter, C. Peter Chen, Thomas Houlihan, Hugh Martyr, David Stubblebine
Special Thanks: Rory Curtis

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