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WWII On This Day: February 6

What happened on February 6 during World War II? This date brings together 2 events from 1941 and 1944, with period photographs and links to the full operations documented across WW2 Theatres.

1941
Italian M13/40 medium tanks captured by British forces at Beda Fomm in February 1941.
Italian M13/40 medium tanks captured by British forces at Beda Fomm in February 1941. Australian armed forces / Australian War Memorial 128415 · public domain Source
Operation Compass

The roadblock becomes the decisive battle

Italian medium tanks repeatedly attacked south while the 4th Armoured Brigade struck the column from the east. By noon British accounts recorded roughly forty Italian medium tanks destroyed, but the brigade's own serviceable cruiser strength had fallen to about fifteen. The battle became a close armoured contest around the blocked road. Italian armour still had enough strength to threaten the southern exit, while British fuel and serviceable tank numbers were close to exhaustion. Holding the road until the retreating columns lost room to manoeuvre became the immediate requirement.

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1944
Sikh soldiers of the 7th Indian Division at an observation post in the Ngakyedauk Pass area during fighting after the Japanese offensive of 6 February 1944.
Sikh soldiers of the 7th Indian Division at an observation post in the Ngakyedauk Pass area during fighting after the Japanese offensive of 6 February 1944. Imperial War Museums, IND 2994 · UK Government public domain Source
The Arakan and the Chindits

The 7th Indian Division is cut off and forms the Admin Box

Japanese columns overran the 7th Indian Division headquarters area and cut the road through the Ngakyedauk Pass. Divisional and administrative troops concentrated around Sinzweya, where supply dumps, hospitals and workshops were organised into a defensive perimeter. Infantry units outside the box continued fighting while tanks and artillery inside it covered approaches through the jungle. The position contained many troops whose normal duties were administrative, but the perimeter required every available unit to take part in its defence. The photograph attached to this marker is dated 6 February and shows soldiers…

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