The opening engagement of Operation Compass, it destroyed the Maletti Group's armour and initiated the collapse of Italy's position in Egypt.
Key Facts
- Italian/Libyan casualties
- 4,157
- British killed
- 56 men
- Italian tanks destroyed
- 28 tanks
- British tanks disabled/broken down
- 27 tanks
- Distance from Sidi Barrani
- 12 miles (19 km) south
- Garrison attacked
- Maletti Group, 10th Army
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
After Italy declared war on Britain in June 1940 and advanced into Egypt in September, the Italian 10th Army halted at Sidi Barrani, building fortified camps in an arc while awaiting road construction. British forces, outnumbered and holding back at Mersa Matruh, probed Italian defences and planned a five-day raid to strike the isolated, gap-separated camps.
On 9 December 1940, British and Indian troops, supported by infantry tanks of the 7th Royal Tank Regiment, attacked the Nibeiwa camp from the west, surprising the Italians before tank crews could man their vehicles. The 28 Italian tanks were destroyed at the outset; the garrison resisted fiercely but was overrun by combined tank, artillery, and infantry assault. The 7th Armoured Division screened the western flank throughout.
The Maletti Group was destroyed and 4,157 Italian and Libyan casualties were inflicted at a cost of only 56 British killed. The success enabled follow-on attacks against Tummar West and Tummar East, unravelling the entire Italian defensive arc and beginning the collapse of Italy's military position in Egypt under Operation Compass.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent