dec 8, 1940 - Operation Compass
Description:
As the conflict between the Italians and the British in Egypt began to end, the British wanted to start pushing back Italian forces in Libya. At first, Operation Compass was a planned raid, but as the British gained more victories over the Italians, they grew more confident and Lieutenant General Henry Wilson was given leeway in the plan if he felt he could gain a better victory. The British and Indian troops would be working together--the British 7th Armoured Division would go to Sofafi, Egypt and the remainder of the 7th Armoured Division and the Indian 4th Division were to advance between Sofafi to the south and Nibeiwa to the north. After the advancement, the British 7th Armoured Division planned to attack northwest while the Indian 4th Division would attack northeast. The British Royal Navy would also be bombarding Sidi Barrani. The operation began in on December 8 and lasted until February 9, 1941. Overall, the British captured 130,000 Italians (including 22 officers of general rank), 400 tanks, and 1,290 artillery pieces. The Allies suffered 494 killed and 1,225 wounded. The result was a clear British victory, and the Italians lost even more land (especially after the Western Desert Campaign).
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World War II
Orange: Western Hemisphere and the Pacific War with Japan
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