 Bardia did not become an important port as supply by sea continued to run through Sollum but became an important source of water , after the repair of the large pumping station that the Italians had installed to serve the township and Fort Capuzzo . Axis forces reoccupied the town in April 1941 , during Operation Sonnenblume Rommel 's first offensive in Cyrenaica . Further fighting occurred from 31 December 1941 – 2 January 1942 , before Bardia was re @-@ taken by the 2nd South African Division . Bardia changed hands again in June 1942 , being occupied by Axis forces for a third time and was re @-@ taken for the last time in November unopposed , following the Allied victory at the Second Battle of El Alamein . 
