65 Years Ago Italians Invade Egypt

[spidge]

Meant to post this yesterday on the 65th anniversary of the Italians move into Egypt 13/9/1940.

They initially moved 5 divisions and 200 odd tanks against a much smaller force and yet 3 months later there wasn't an Italian still on Egyptian soil except for prisoners

The 6th division, my Fathers outfit, belted them at Bardia and took 45,000 prisoners for the loss of 500 which was a low number as long as you weren't one of them.

Tobruk was next with another 25,000 prisoners for the loss of 450 British & Aussies.

Australians then capture Derna & Benghazi in quick succession then 25,000 retreating Italians surrender to 3,000 British.

Anthony Eden makes a speech parodying Winston Churchill's famous 'Battle of Britain' speech. He says "Never has so much been surrendered, by so many, to so few".

150,000+ prisoners / 400+ tanks / 700+ Artillery pieces.

Where did it all go wrong for the Italians?

Look forward to a few interesting posts.

[Kiwiwriter]

I wrote an article on this campaign for "Europa Magazine," which is put out by GR/D games with their wargames, and it's on MagWeb. That will give a lot of background. I can't recall the website URL. I'll try to find it.

[spidge]

Originally posted by Kiwiwriter@Sep 15 2005, 11:06 PM
I wrote an article on this campaign for "Europa Magazine," which is put out by GR/D games with their wargames, and it's on MagWeb. That will give a lot of background. I can't recall the website URL. I'll try to find it.

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Thanks David.

Found it at: http://www.magweb.com/sample/seuropa/seu55daw.htm

[Kiwiwriter]

Originally posted by spidge+Sep 15 2005, 09:22 AM-->

Thanks David.

Found it at: http://www.magweb.com/sample/seuropa/seu55daw.htm

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[/b]

Oh, great. I can't remember where the damn thing is...let me know what you think of it.

[spidge]

Originally posted by Kiwiwriter+Sep 15 2005, 11:56 PM-->

Oh, great. I can't remember where the damn thing is...let me know what you think of it.

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[/b]

Great descriptive and in depth narrative David.

I have printed it off for Mum to read.

Dad was 6th Div / 19th Brigade / 2/8th. What a baptism of fire for them with an historical victory. It was fate that he was hit by a mortar and didn't get to Greece.

Six months later after hospitalisation in Egypt, he was home to the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital in Victoria for another 3 months. He retired after 30 years at the Reserve Bank of Australia and passed away in 1982.

[Kiwiwriter]

Originally posted by spidge+Sep 15 2005, 10:59 AM-->

Great descriptive and in depth narrative David.

I have printed it off for Mum to read.

Dad was 6th Div / 19th Brigade / 2/8th. What a baptism of fire for them with an historical victory. It was fate that he was hit by a mortar and didn't get to Greece.

Six months later after hospitalisation in Egypt, he was home to the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital in Victoria for another 3 months. He retired after 30 years at the Reserve Bank of Australia and passed away in 1982.

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[/b]

Thanks for that note.

And thank you for your father's service to Crown and Country. He was lucky in the long run...6th Division took a pounding in Greece and Crete, and he might have been killed. I'm glad he got to live a long and happy life in peace.

[Gnomey]

Yes, very good read, a good in depth and informative account of the campaign, I enjoyed reading it. It has increased my knowledge of the campaign a lot.

[Dac]

Excellent article David, I think Gen. Richard O'Connor is one of the most underrated generals in history. If not for his capture in North Africa in 1941, it's possible he would have been the one to lead the British in Western Europe 1944-45.

An account I have of the Nibeiwa battle has General Malleti taking a main cannon round in the chest, don't know if that's true or not.

The Australians gave great service in the deserts of North Africa spidge, the Allies were lucky to have such fine soldiers. One of my moms' uncles was in the U.S. Army on New Guinea during WW II and I imagine he served alongside Australians.

[Kiwiwriter]

Originally posted by Dac@Sep 15 2005, 02:55 PM
Excellent article David, I think Gen. Richard O'Connor is one of the most underrated generals in history. If not for his capture in North Africa in 1941, it's possible he would have been the one to lead the British in Western Europe 1944-45.

An account I have of the Nibeiwa battle has General Malleti taking a main cannon round in the chest, don't know if that's true or not.

The Australians gave great service in the deserts of North Africa spidge, the Allies were lucky to have such fine soldiers. One of my moms' uncles was in the U.S. Army on New Guinea during WW II and I imagine he served alongside Australians.

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Thanks for the note...I agree about O'Connor...he should not have been sent to relieve Neame in mid-battle. His loss was devastating to the British. I think if he had not been captured, Crusader would not have misfired, and Gazala would not have been such an appalling mess.

Maletti was killed at Nibeiwa, alongside his son, but whether from a cannon shot or a bullet, I don't recall. I have it in my article.

The Australians were an elite force. I am glad that the British recently unveiled a memorial to them in London. And I know ANZAC Day is pretty big in London, with a parade.

[angie999]

Originally posted by Dac@Sep 15 2005, 06:55 PM
Excellent article David, I think Gen. Richard O'Connor is one of the most underrated generals in history. If not for his capture in North Africa in 1941, it's possible he would have been the one to lead the British in Western Europe 1944-45.

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But he did manage to escape and was well enough regarded to be given command of VIII Corps.