Libyan Arab Force

[Eddie Parks]

Libyan Arab Force

Three battalions of Senussi Arabs were raised under British Army control to engage in guerrilla operations in the mountains of Cyrenaica against Italian forces occupying the area. There was an SOE involvement in the shape of Military Mission 102.

In the event most LAF troops were used on Lines of Communications duties. But a considerable number were involved in secret operations while attached to both the Long Range Desert Group and Popski’s Private Army.

Popski’s first MC was gazetteed to him while a member of the LAF.

Other awards included:

Name Saad Ali Rahouma
Rank: Mulazim Awal (Lt)
Service No: 37
Regiment: 3 Battalion Libyan Arab Force
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Middle East (Egypt and Libya)
Award: Military Cross
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 23 April 1942

SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE; 16 APRIL, 1942
The Military Medal.

8969 Nafar Abdulla Hamed Gadour El Seneini, 2 Battalion Libyan Arab Force,

SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 24 JUNE, 1943
Mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East during the period 1st May, 1942, to 22nd October, 1942: —

Libyan Arab Force.
Mulazim Awal Abul Gassem Ahmed El Sheri (64).
Mulazim Awal Muftah Soliman Hassan (36).
Mulazim Awal Tawati Abdel Gelil (11).
9977 Bashshawish Muftah Abdullah Hammad. (S/Sgt)
8835 Onbashi All Mohamed Hussein. (Sgt)
8083 Nafar Ali Muftah El Atrash. (Cpl)

After the war the LAF became the Cyrenaica Defence Force which in turn was the ancestor of the modern Libyan army.

Cap badge is a 44mm black disk with a crescent and star attached. Construction is highly unusual as seen in the picture. The star and crescent are attached to the brass back plate by wires which pass through the black disk, which is made of an unknown metallic material. The use of the badge is confirmed by the CWGC headstone.