Bir Hakeim (or occasionally Bir Hacheim) is a remote oasis in the Libyan desert, and the former site of a Turkish fort. During the Battle of Gazala, the 1st Free French Division of General Marie Pierre Kœnig defended the site from 26 May-11 June 1942 against attacking German and Italian forces directed by Lieutenant-General Erwin Rommel. Italy would launch an attack on the morning of the 9th, but was quickly driven off due to the inferior quality of their tanks. Free French Foreign Legionnaires made a diversionary attack on an Italian strong point destroying a , 12 June 1942.