Show VA WINES north african conflict recalls war the recent conflict between brit tall lah and italian troops in north africa has thrust the little town of ierna derna int into 0 the limelight normally Y the fortified libyan stronghold to la rarely mentioned in the news yet the same dorna derna or dera derne as it to Is sometimes called was a focal point in the struggle between americans and Tripoli tans at the beginning of the last century the capture of that city in april 1805 1806 was a noteworthy triumph for the american navy america balked at paying tribute to the barbary pirates as the price of our freedom on the seas william eaton baton naval agent to the barbary baitary states planned to depose the governor of derne derna and to place in power a ruler more friendly to the united states his military leader was presley N Ol obannon lannon of the IN marine corps with tho the handful of american forces at their disposal they knew that this could not be accomplished at alexandria egypt they organized an expedition composed of greeks turks arabians and the ho polyglot dwellers of northern africa headed by afew marines and they set out for the stronghold on their march of at nearly miles across the desert the americans met with revolt dissension and open mutiny among their followers tollo while the tack lack ot of food and water added to their heir woes boes only the firm attitude of eaton supported by obannon OD annon and his marines brought tho the expedition to 0 a successful climax at derno derne the overland party was reinforced by tho the crews of three american 1 gunboat gunboats gun boats ta the surrender aur rendor of the town awn was demanded it was refused the American sand their allies swept forward captured the fortress and ana turned its guns upon the enemy while lieutenant OI Bannon annon of the marine corps and midshipman mann of f the navy tore down the standard and flung ti old glory to the breeze 1 this athis was the first time the stars and stripes had bad over ever flown over a tor fortress in the old world 0 ol 01 |