Operation Compass - North Africa
The Italians prove that they are in fact lovers and not fighters as 250,000 Italian soldiers bend to the will of some 36,000 Allied troops.
In September of 1940, Italian forces had laid a foothold in Libya and pass on into Egypt. Occupying several key positions, they set up defensive camps and await the might of the British Army and friends. The Allied force consists of British, Indian and New Zealand troops numbering just 36,000 men.
Operation Compass is enacted on December 9th after several days of offshore bombing from Royal Navy aircraft. The Allied army units move about with relative ease and engage the Italians in battle. The Italian Army - whose quality of training had always been called into question - either surrender, retreat or die. The British made substantial headway throughout the campaign and eventually secure the key port city of Tobruk, ensuring any future North African operations will be fully stocked.
In the end, a better-trained 36,000 strong coalition force took on at least 130,000 prisoners of war, dealing an embarrassing defeat to the Italian psyche while delivering an astounding shot in the arm to the Allies.
Total Events: 16
1940
Sunday
September 1st - September 30th |
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Italian forces, led by Marshal Graziani invade Egypt. During the month, the Italian army sets up a series of six defensive positions south of occupied Sidi Barrani known simply as Nibeiwa, Tummar East, Tummar West, North Sofafi, East Sofafi and West Sofafi. |
1940
Friday
December 6th - December 8th |
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The Western Desert Force in Egypt, under the command of Major-General Richard O'Connor, set up pre-assault positions. The force includes 36,000 total men from the 7th Armored Division, 4th Indian Division and the New Zealand Division. They set up their initial position southeast of the Italian fort at Nibeiwa. |
1940
Sunday
December 8th - December 9th |
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Aircraft of the Royal Navy are put into action against Italian forces dug in at Maktila and Barrani. Bombers are sent in to soften targets for the initial ground assault. |
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Operation Compass is officially launched. |
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The British 7th Armored Division launches attacks on the Italian camps positioned near Sofafi and Rabia and makes its way toward the critical ocean-side road near Buqbug. |
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The British 7th Tank Regiment, along with the 4th Indian Division, attack Italian positions at Tummar West and Nibeiwa. |
1940
Tuesday
December 10th |
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Selby Force has removed the Italian 1st Libyan Division out of Maktila. |
1940
Tuesday
December 10th |
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Italian forces stationed at Sidi Barrani are all but surrounded by the Allies. |
1940
Tuesday
December 10th |
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Selby Force sets its eyes on Sidi Barrani. |
1940
Tuesday
December 10th |
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The Italian XXI Corps is in full retreat. |
1940
Tuesday
December 10th |
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Some 38,000 Italian soldiers are taken prisoner by the Allies. |
1940
Tuesday
December 10th |
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The Italian camps at Tummar East fall to the Allies. |
1940
Wednesday
December 11th |
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Royal Navy bombers begin attacks on Italian-held Sollum. |
1940
Wednesday
December 11th |
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The Italian Catanzaro Division is captured, delivering another 30,000 Italian prisoners of war. |
1941
Wednesday
January 22nd |
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Operation Compass is effectively over, netting some 130,000 total Italian prisoners. |
1941
Wednesday
January 22nd |
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The Allies take Tobruk, a key port city vital to North Africa operations. |
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