Auto-Saharan Companies



Auto-Saharan Companies (in Italian Compagnie Auto-Avio Sahariane (sometimes referred to as "La Compagnia") were special Italian units of desert warfare operating in Libya and Sahara desert during Second World War. Their military operations took place in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia, until the surrender of Italo-German forces in May 1943.

History
The Compagnie were instituted in the late 1930s, after a conversion of dromedary mounted troops, called Meharisti, with the task to conduct long range patrols in desertic territories. These units were formed with mixed Italian and Libyan personnel.

During North African Campaign these units were tasked for reconnaissance roles, often in contrast to similar British units like LRDG.

The number of active companies varied from 3 and 5 during the whole war, and every company was equipped with 20 to 30 vehicles and 3 light planes Caproni Ca.309 "Ghibli" for reconnaissance.

In 1940, at beginning of war, these companies were part of Maletti Group, but located in the Kufra oasis. In that part of Italian Libya took place a clash with British forces at the end of January 1941 at Jebel Sharif.

"The enemy who were forty-four strong in two armoured fighting vehicles and five trucks had the advantage of close co-operation with aircraft and of being armed with Breda guns (Auto-avio sahariana). Ambush at Jebel Sherif. The Official History of the New Zealand Army at WWII."

In this victorious skirmish that took place in the Jebel Sherif valley, British members of LRDG (Long Range Desert Group) suffered a man killed and two prisoners, included major Clayton, and lose three desert vehicles. Italians had three killed and three injured Remaining four British soldiers fled in the Libyan desert until the Nile. Major Clayton was conferred a Distinguished Service Order.

The Compagnie Auto-avio sahariane continued their confrontation with LRDG in 1941 and 1942, and a raid in Egypt was accomplished under guide of commander Del Pozzo.

At the end of North Africa campaign, in 1943, surviving vehicles of different companies were reorganized in the Saharian Group ("Raggruppamento Sahariano") of Mannerini (also known as "Gruppo Mannerini"), and used for patrol duties in Tunisia, but they also had part in some skirmishes in the Mareth area (Operation Pugilist), until the final surrender of Axis forces in Africa.

Equipment
Companies were formed around expert soldiers (called "Arditi Camionettisti"), operating on board of armored cars AB41 and light trucks FIAT and Lancia customized to operate in desertic contexts; heavily armed with heavy machine guns, light 47 mm and 65 mm guns, and AA 20 mm Breda 35 guns.

The light trucks used by these companies include: AS stands for Africa Settentrionale (Northern Africa).
 * FIAT-SPA AS37
 * FIAT-SPA AS43
 * SPA-Viberti AS42
 * FIAT 634