[5] The VII Eritrean battalion consisted of 400 rifles, a company of cavalry, and a group of armored vehicles led by Captain Telger.

[8] It was determined for Major Melli's forces to march from Ajdabiya to Qurain and Brega, while Captain Telger made a wide detour to avoid the sandy areas passing through Al-Qatifya to Bir Bilal.

[9] As the armored Italian vehicles were reaching Bir Bilal on June 10, they found themselves surrounded by a force of Libyans.

[16] In the month of July, the Italians conducted 57 air operations to bombard Libyan residences and their cattle.

On August 25, a large force reached Bir Bilal and began collecting the Italian corpses to bury them; a total of 189 bodies were found, including Major Melli and other officers.