Camp Nibeiwa

Operation Compass, the codename for Wavell’s offensive against Italian-held Libya, was kicked off with several assaults on Italian frontier camps. These camps were built to cover the approaches to the coastal road between Sidi Barrani and Bardia, and would seriously …

1940-12-09

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Operation Compass, the codename for Wavell’s offensive against Italian-held Libya, was kicked off with several assaults on Italian frontier camps. These camps were built to cover the approaches to the coastal road between Sidi Barrani and Bardia, and would seriously hinder any British advance into Libya. Camp Nibeiwa was the object of one of these assaults. On December 9th, Matildas from the 7th RTR spearheaded the attack and quickly destroyed 25 Italian medium and light tanks parked outside the main perimeter. The Matildas then engaged the Italian artillery and infantry at close range. British and Indian infantry following the Matildas mopped up the more stubborn pockets of resistance. After two hours of hard fighting they had the entire camp well in hand and had captured over 4,000 prisoners.

Bir Enba, Egypt

The Attack on Nibeiwa took place on 9 December 1940 near Nibeiwa, Egypt, when the Italian fortified camp held by the Maletti Group, the armoured force of the 10th Army, was overrun by British and Indian troops. The attack was the opening engagement of Operation Compass a British raid which, if successful, would be followed up to try to expel the Italians from Egypt. Italy had declared war on France and Britain on 10 June and in the Italian invasion of Egypt (Operazione E) from 9–16 September 1940, the Italian 10th Army had reached Sidi Barrani and dug in to await the completion of the Via della Vittoria, an extension of the Via Balbia, being built from the frontier; the Maletti Group garrisoned a camp at Nibeiwa,12 mi (19 km) south of the port of Sidi Barrani.

Wikipedia: Attack on Nibeiwa

British

Italian