Operation Compass

The first battle of the desert war, Operation Compass was originally envisaged as a spoiling attack, combined with a reconnaissance in force to disrupt the Italian forces that had advanced into Egypt in September 1940. Lt Gen. Richard O'Connor launched what amounted to a British 'Blitzkrieg'. In less than two months the British forces swept 500 miles along the coast of North Africa. 7th Armoured Division raced across the desert to cut off the retreating Italians, and O'Connor's men destroyed nine Italian divisions, and took 130,000 prisoners. This title guides the reader in full detail through the stages of the rapid advance, and the hard fighting in an unforgiving environment, as well as examining the consequences of the clash. This victory would lead to the arrival of General Rommel and his Afrikakorps at Tripoli in March 1941.