![]() Light tanks and a handful of M13/39 tanks were haphazardly deployed. ![]() Their very immobile invasion force consisted mainly of infantry and motorized units. During Italy’s failed invasion into Egypt the previous year, the Italian Army did not have a true Armored division fighting in the desert. That November, the Italians for the first time had a fully equipped Armored Division in the theater, the 132 Ariete. The Italians had been assigned a support role for in this operation. This Axis operation was to take place on November 24th, with the 15th and 21st Panzer Divisions leading the attack. The Axis were also making plans of their own for an offensive to finally take Tobruk from the Allied forces holding it. Bir el Gubi hardly received a second thought. Allied expectations ran high for a decisive victory. The date for the attack was set for November 18th. British planners felt that the time was right for the annihilation of the Axis forces in Africa. The key for the British for the operation, however, was the firepower of the tanks in 7th Armored. The British could then advance on to Sidi Rezegh to face the Germans, the main target of their offensive.Ĭrusader also called for British XIII Corps, with 4th Armoured, to circle in from the west, and the 70th Division to join the fight as they broke out of the siege at Tobruk. Alternatively, the Italians might simply retreat when confronted with direct engagement. The British believed they could ‘fence’ the Italians in with their forces. But the planned operation hardly seemed to pay much concern to them. British Lieutenant-General Alan CunninghamĪs they formulated their attack for the upcoming battle, the British became aware of the Italians situated on the Germans flank near Bir el Gubi.
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