 After the disaster at Sidi Barrani and the withdrawal from Egypt , Lieutenant General Annibale Bergonzoli 's XXIII Corps faced the British from within the strong defences of Bardia . Mussolini wrote to Bergonzoli : " I have given you a difficult task but one suited to your courage and experience as an old and intrepid soldier — the task of defending the fortress of Bardia to the last . I am certain that ' Electric Beard ' and his brave soldiers will stand at whatever cost , faithful to the last . " Bergonzoli replied : " I am aware of the honour and I have today repeated to my troops your message — simple and unequivocal . In Bardia we are and here we stay . " 
