✦ History

Operation Compass

December 9, 1940 – February 9, 1941

Result British victory

First major Allied offensive of the Western Desert campaign. The British Western Desert Force destroyed the Italian 10th Army in Egypt and Cyrenaica.

View war on globe Full event page

Battles 4

December 9, 1940
Attack on Nibeiwa British victory Richard O'Connor
January 21–22, 1941
British capture of Tobruk Allied victory Tobruk Richard O'Connor, Rodolfo Graziani, Henry Maitland Wilson, 1st Baron Wilson
January 24, 1941
Action at Mechili British victory Mechili Richard O'Connor, Rodolfo Graziani, Giuseppe Tellera
February 6–7, 1941
Battle of Beda Fomm British victory Cyrenaica Archibald Wavell, Richard O'Connor, Rodolfo Graziani

Key commanders

Allies 3

Archibald Wavell General, Commander-in-chief, Middle East Richard O'Connor Lieutenant General, Field commander of the Western Desert Force Henry Maitland Wilson, 1st Baron Wilson military commander

Axis 4

Rodolfo Graziani Marshal, Commander of the Italian 10th Army Annibale Bergonzoli military commander Giuseppe Tellera military commander Sebastiano Gallina military commander