Who helped Ethiopia fight off Italian imperialism and how did he do it?

1 Answer
Mar 7, 2016

In the Second World War, the United Kingdom finally had the opportunity and the need to end the Italian presence in Ethiopia, Eretria and Somalia

Explanation:

When Italy invaded and occupied Ethiopia in 1935-1936, neither the UK or France was prepared for a general war to prevent the conquest. However, Britain did offer a refuge for Haile Selassie.

In June 1940, Italy entered the Second World War by attacking France and it became a German ally. There were 350,000 Italian troops in Ethiopia, Eretria and Somaliland -- who then commenced offensive action against the British presence in Sudan, the Horn of Africa and Kenya. Italian aircraft and warships also attacked shipping in the Red Sea. Italy also invaded Egypt that September.

The British commander in the Middle East, General Wavell, had few resources and his first priority was to safeguard Egypt. Britain also had to frantically build-up its forces. Fortunately, the Italians were slow and had problems getting supplies from Italy.

By February 1941, the Italian invasion of Egypt was decisively defeated and Wavell had two divisions of troops from India, three of African troops, some Australian units and a force of Ethiopian patriots -- trained and equipped as guerrilla fighters. The Emperor Selassie came back from Britain and personally led the guerrillas.

The fighting wasn't easy. Some of the Australian and Indian troops that invaded Eretria later fought German troops in North Africa and Japanese in Burma... and yet thought the Italian soldiers they faced here were the toughest opponents they faced in the War. But the Italians couldn't replace the ammunition or fuel they expended, or the troops they lost, and so the end was inevitable.

The Emperor was back in Addis Abada on May 5th, and the last major Italian Army in their interior surrendered on May 19th (after more intense fighting). Some Italians -- and Ethiopians from tribes hostile to the Emperor -- continued a guerrilla campaign of their own until Italy surrendered to Allies in 1943; but Ethiopia was free once more.