Post by Diarist on Mar 14, 2016 10:19:56 GMT 1
During the night forward elements of both divisions have entered the outskirts of western and southern Tripoli while the Recon battalions advanced south of the city in attempt to stop Italian units from retreating further east. There was no determined defence and in some cases entire platoons, even companies were surrendering. By daybreak the Italians had asked for a ceasefire so that a surrender could be arranged. The entire garrison of Tripoli surrendered during the morning and the news was radioed to higher headquarters.
Most of the troops were Libyans but with Italian officers. Amusing is that the senior Italian negotiator spoke impeccable English but not a word of French. The French retaliated by sending an Arabian-speaking officer who negotiated with a senior Libyan sergeant in Arabic.
It was also agreed that the Libyan Division not be disbanded but would be reorganized as a French Libyan Division with French instead of Italian officers. They would be unarmed except for truncheons but could remain in their barracks after they had been cleared of all weapons. They would form joint patrols with French colonial troops, mainly from Algeria, to maintain order in Tripoli and surrounding areas.
The two Recon battalions reorganized then continued to advance eastwards hoping to link up with British in or near Cyrenaica. They have air and naval support. Although not entirely true they are telling the Italians they encounter that Italian forces in Libya have surrendered. They also have documents supporting the claim.