A Senussi column near the site of an attack on the British in Egypt. The Senussi first rebelled against Italian forces in Libya after Italy seized the territory from the Ottoman Empire. Supported by Turkey in Libya and later by Germany, the Senussi began a guerrilla campaign against the British in Egypt in late 1915, tying down 20,000 troops for over a year.

Balkan Kriegsschauplatz: Zu den erfolgreichen Angriffen der Senussi auf die Engländer in Agypten.

Serie 31/3



Balkan theater of war: At the successful attacks of the Senussi on the British in Egypt.

Series 31/3



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Ausgabe des Kriegsfürsorgeamtes Wien IX.

Zum Gloria-Viktoria Album

Sammel. u. Nachschlagewerk des Völkerkrieges



War Office Assistance Edition, Vienna IX

For Gloria Victoria album

Collection and reference book of international war

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The Senussi (or Sanusi) was a political and religious movement, primarily in present-day Libya, that sought a religious revival and battled the colonial powers, France, Italy, and Great Britain. Supported by the Turks, Senussi tribesmen revolted, warring against Italy and its seizure of Libya from the Ottoman Empire in the Italo-Turkish war of 1912-13.

Besides threatening Italy both before and after its entry into the World War I on the side of the Entente Allies in May 1915, the Senussi threatened the British in neighboring Egypt.

A Senussi offensive begun in November 1915 was substantially defeated in February 1916, though elements remained active till 1917. For over a year, the Senussi tied down 20,000 troops.

The Senussi were armed and resupplied by the Turks and by German and Austro-Hungarian submarines, including that of Georg von Trapp who made at least one mission to the Libyan coast.

One of the wall plaques (by Mike Edwards) at the Delville Wood South African Memorial includes a panel on the Senussi which South African troops battled from January to March 1916.