Fuka: Beach and War History

Fuka combines a historical perspective on the Second World War with a beach used for sunbathing, surfing, and swimming. If you are looking for a hotel in Fuka, you can choose where to focus based on whether you are mainly interested in the coast or in the historical events and their various locations. An archaeological wine press is nearby and adds to the area's points of interest.

Fuka's War History and Its Locations

An aircraft from RAF No. 148 Squadron crashed during takeoff at Fuka on September 14, 1941. On November 3, 1942, B-25 bombers struck the town. On the same date, B-25 bombers also attacked targets on the road between Fuka and El Daba. Two days later, a rearguard action took place near Fuka during the advance westward.

A war photograph dated November 13, 1942, documents Fuka airfield, showing a German Messerschmitt Me 110 fighter aircraft and other destroyed Axis aircraft. When Allied troops occupied the airfield, they also found a destroyed Italian Macchi C.202 fighter aircraft there. The details refer to different aircraft: the photograph shows a German Me 110 and other Axis wrecks, while the aircraft found was an Italian Macchi C.202.

Fuka railway station also appears in a war photograph dated November 13, 1942: the tracks were flooded after a storm. Other photographs dated the same day show prisoners waiting to be transported to Fuka railway station, as well as Italian prisoners on their way to a prisoner-of-war camp in Fuka. A prisoner transport vehicle had to be freed from a muddy pool. Another photograph from that date shows a convoy on the road between Fuka and Mersa Matruh.

Beach and Archaeological Wine Press

Fuka's beach is used for sunbathing, surfing, and swimming. If these activities are important to your trip, check the local conditions before making firm plans.

The archaeological wine press of Fuka is located at kilometer 77 on the coastal road between Matruh and Alexandria, about one kilometer beyond the entrance to Fuka and at the beginning of Vienna Beach. It is therefore in the immediate vicinity of the destination.

Matruh as the Broader Context

The broader destination of Matruh offers further cultural and landscape-related attractions. The village of Shali in Siwa was built from salt-rich mud using a unique construction method and dates from the sixth century of the Hijra, or the twelfth century CE. Restoration of the village has been completed, and its ruins are suitable for a visit.

The exhibitions at the Marsa Matrouh Museum cover fishing, trade, astronomy, science, and philosophy. On a broader landscape scale, the sandy coastline of Matruh Governorate extends for about 450 kilometers and is shaped by bays. These examples relate to Matruh as the broader destination; they are distinct regional topics and should not be equated with Fuka's local beach and war history.

Discover more destinations: Sidi Abd El-Rahman, Zawyet El-Auwwama, Marsa Matrouh, Zawyet Eilet Nuh, El-Alamein, Zawyet Sidi Musa, Al Qasabah ash Sharqiyah, Siwa Oasis.

View the broader travel overview: Matruh.