Operation Compass

Operation Compass (December 8, 1940 - ?), during World War II, was a British military operation, under the command of Major-General O'Connor, which consisted of an attack against the Italian lines. Many of the troops involved were initially of the understanding that this was merely an exercise. The attack was supported by 25-pounder artillery and Blenheim bombers and was centered around the advance of Mark-Two Matilda tanks. Within an hour of the onset of combat, Italian General Maletti would be dead and 4,000 Italian soldiers would surrender. Within three days, 237 artillery, 73 tanks, and 38,300 soldiers would be captured. The attacking forces would move west along the Via della Vittoria, through Halfaya Pass, and capture Fort Capuzzo.

Quotes

• Bonner Fellers
  • "General Wavell told me they were going to do manoeuvres, so I went up as an observer, and God dammit - it was the works."
• Anonymous Coldstream Guards officer
  • "We have about 5 acres of officers and 200 acres of other ranks." (1 - p.46)

References

• 1 -- The Battle of Alamein: Turning Point, World War II by Bierman and Smith (2002)