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Operation Compass 1940 book cover
Operation Compass 1940
Wavell's Whirlwind Offensive
2000
First Published
3.60
Average Rating
96
Number of Pages

Part of Series

Osprey's Campaign title for the first battle of the desert war, Operation Compass, which 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 9 Italian divisions, and took 130,000 prisoners. In March 1941 General Rommel and the Afrikakorps landed at Tripoli.
Avg Rating
3.60
Number of Ratings
30
5 STARS
23%
4 STARS
23%
3 STARS
43%
2 STARS
10%
1 STARS
0%
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Author

Jon Latimer
Author · 8 books
Educated at Christleton County High School in Chester, Jon Latimer studied for a geography degree at University College, Swansea but switched course to graduate in oceanography. He worked as an oceanographer until becoming a full-time writer in 1997.
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