Dive into the history of World War II in Tunisia at the “Campaign of Tunisia” museum. Explore the relics and hear the stories of a past that shaped the nation.
In the serene rural area of “Oulad Yahya,” just 4 kilometers from the heart of Bir Lahmar in the governorate of Tataouine, southeastern Tunisia, lies a hidden cultural gem.
While most of the residents in “Oulad Yahya” are engaged in agriculture, a special museum emerges from this quiet setting, telling a tale of Tunisia’s WWII history. Zeineb Yahyaoui, a passionate young woman with a degree in heritage and antiquities from a Tunisian University, established the “Campaign of Tunisia” museum in late 2022.
Spanning an area of 120 square meters, the museum showcases over a thousand pieces of wartime relics and military equipment. These artifacts are remnants from the fierce battles that took place on Tunisian soil during 1942 and 1943 of WWII, where thousands of soldiers and even Tunisian civilians lost their lives.
Inside the Museum
At a glance, the museum resembles a vast garage. Within its walls, it holds a collection of war artifacts, which Zeineb gathered over three years from various regions of the country. As per the German historian Peter Lieb, specializing in Nazi Germany’s history, from November 1942 to April 1943, about 137,000 German soldiers, 40,000 Italian soldiers, 495 tanks, and nearly 975 artillery pieces were transported to Tunisia.
Many of these relics, including buried bombs, are scattered throughout rural areas, often unearthed by farmers or used in agricultural activities.
Zeineb’s passion for heritage drove her to study and explore a historical phase that previously lacked extensive research by historians. For her, this museum has been a dream come true.
Among the museum’s displayed items are gas mask carriers, pilot oxygen containers, plastic water bottles – some of German origin and others French. Antique eating utensils, vintage radios still in working condition, and rust-covered “Raqan” devices can be seen. Moreover, there are shells, ammunition from the wartime era, barrels, ammunition boxes, fuel containers, lanterns, and traditional portable flints. A notable item is a well-preserved 1941 American soldier’s shoe, which Zeineb considers a “very precious” artifact.
The museum walls are adorned with archival photographs showcasing battlefronts, field leaders, and Tunisian casualties, including victims of the “Henchir Sefsafa” massacre in the Bajah province of northwestern Tunisia. Two striking photos show Tunisian volunteers with the German forces. Additionally, pictures of the damage to residential areas from military bombardment and forced labor of Tunisian Jews by Nazi forces during the occupation are also on display.
This unique museum stands as a testament to Tunisia’s complex history during World War II and Zeineb Yahyaoui’s dedication to preserving it.
