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Operation Compass 1940 - Wavell's Whirlwind Offensive

By: Osprey

Type: Softcover

Product Line: Campaign Series - World War II - Mediterranean, African & Middle East Theater

Last Stocked on 1/30/2017

Product Info

Title
Operation Compass 1940 - Wavell's Whirlwind Offensive
Publisher
Category
Author
Jon Latimer
Publish Year
2000
Pages
96
Dimensions
7x9.5x.33"
NKG Part #
2147474030
MFG. Part #
OSPCAM073
Type
Softcover
Series
CAM73

Description

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 Armored Division raced across the desert to cut off the retreating Italians, and O'Connor's men destroyed 9 Italian divisions, and took 130,000 prisoners. In March 1941 General Rommel and the Afrikakorps landed at Tripoli.