Meeting the Challenge - The Matrix Games version of West Front

Nibeiwa, 20km S of Sidi Barrani, W of Mersa Matruh, Egypt: [Best played as Allied] When the Italian 10th Army under General Graziani began its advance into Egypt from Libya in September 1940, the British Western Desert Force was in no position to stop it. Major-General O'Connor's only choice was to withdraw and it appeared there would be little chance of holding Graziani short of Alexandria. Unexpectedly the Italians stopped near Sidi Barrani and began to establish a string of forts stretching into the desert after advancing only 100km. It was an opportunity O'Connor did not waste. Planning was immediately set in motion to meet the Italian challenge and after weeks of reconnaissance and secret training "Operation Compass" was ready to strike back. The first objective of O'Connor's response was Raggruppamento Maletti and its well fortified position at Nibeiwa. In a sweeping night march through the open desert south of the Italian position, the 11th/4 Indian Brigade, supported by the 7th Royal Tank Regiment's Matilda tanks, slipped undetected through the Rabia-Nibeiwa Gap. As the sun began to rise on December 9th, the Italians' morning routine was interrupted by drenching artillery fire as Brigadier Savory's assault force began its attack.