Operation Compass 1940A highly illustrated, absorbing account of the first battle of the desert war: the British against the Italians. Operation Compass 1940 was originally envisaged as a spoiling attack, combined with a reconnaissance in force to disrupt the Italian forces that had advanced into Egypt in September 1940. Lieutenant General Richard O'Connor launched what amounted to a British 'Blitzkrieg'. In less than two months, the British forces swept 500 miles along