The Battle of Bir Hakeim, scenes from the desert outpost which Free French Forces gallantly held for 9 critical days. Free French machine gunners in a sand bagged shallow dugout, they resisted the continuous onslaught with the utmost gallantry July 1942 ?004 Topfoto The Battle of Bir Hakeim (May 26, 1942 - June 11, 1942) was fought, during World War II, between the German/Italian Afrika Korps and the 1st Free French Brigade, with support from the British 7th Armoured Division.