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Even so, Graziani followed Mussolini's orders and the Tenth Army attacked on 13 September 1940. The Italian and Libyan supporting troops advanced over the Libyan/Egyptian border into Egypt. In addition to the Maletti Group, the five attacking infantry divisions included the ''Cirene'', ''Marmarica'', and ''23 Marzo'' Divisions. Elite Arditi troops advanced ahead of the spearhead, which comprised the two participating Libyan Divisions.

Even so, Graziani followed Mussolini's orders and the Tenth Army attacked on 13 September 1940. The Italian and Libyan supporting troops advanced over the Libyan/Egyptian border into Egypt. In addition to the Maletti Group, the five attacking infantry divisions included the ''Cirene'', ''Marmarica'', and ''23 Marzo'' Divisions. Elite Arditi troops advanced ahead of the spearhead, which comprised the two participating Libyan Divisions.

After recapturing Fort Capuzzo and Halfaya Pass from a determined British rearguard, the Italian and Libyan diviions were bombed and strafed by Royal Air Force (RAF) Wellington and Blenheim bombers from Nos 30, 70, 84 and 211 Squadrons and Gladiators.<ref>"...only a few days after the start of their offensive, the Italian pilots were confronted by the R.A.F. which had sent Nos 30, 211 and 84 Squadrons with Bristol Blenheim bombers, No 80 Sqn with Gloster Gladiator biplane fighters and No 70 Squadron with Vickers Wellington bombers." In the Skies of Europe: Air Forces Allied to the Luftwaffe 1939-1945, Hans Werner Neulen, p. 38, Crowood, 2000</ref>In the meantime, aircraft from the aircraft-carrier HMS ''Illustrious'' bombed and torpedoed ships Italian shipping and destroyers closed in and shelled towns,  port facilities and columns travelling along the Libyan coast.

After recapturing Fort Capuzzo and Halfaya Pass from a determined British rearguard, the Italian and Libyan diviions were bombed and strafed by Royal Air Force (RAF) Wellington and Blenheim bombers from Nos 30, 70, 84 and 211 Squadrons and Gladiators.<ref>"...only a few days after the start of their offensive, the Italian pilots were confronted by the R.A.F. which had sent Nos 30, 211 and 84 Squadrons with Bristol Blenheim bombers, No 80 Sqn with Gloster Gladiator biplane fighters and No 70 Squadron with Vickers Wellington bombers." In the Skies of Europe: Air Forces Allied to the Luftwaffe 1939-1945, Hans Werner Neulen, p. 38, Crowood, 2000</ref>In the meantime, aircraft from the aircraft-carrier HMS ''Illustrious'' bombed and torpedoed ships Italian shipping and destroyers from the Mediterranean Fleet closed in and shelled towns,  port facilities and columns travelling along the Libyan coast.

On 16 September, the two Libyan divisions recaptured Sidi Barrani under the cover of a sandstorm. That same day, the invaders stopped at the town of Maktila. The invaders advanced approximately 95 kilometers in three days. The Italians then dug in, fortified their positions, and awaited reinforcements and supplies.

On 16 September, the two Libyan divisions recaptured Sidi Barrani under the cover of a sandstorm. That same day, the invaders stopped at the town of Maktila. The invaders advanced approximately 95 kilometers in three days. The Italians then dug in, fortified their positions, and awaited reinforcements and supplies. The next day, Italian torpedo-bombers from 278a Squadriglia attacked the Mediterranean Fleet, putting out of action the cruiser HMS Kent.  

 

According to Virginio Gayda, Italian newspaper editor and mouthpiece for Mussolini's fascist regime: ''"Nothing can save Britain now."''

 

However, the British Navy had reinforced the Mediterranean Fleet with the aircraft carrier HMS ''Illustrious'', making provisioning of North Africa problematic for the Italian Navy.

==Battle of the Camps==

==Battle of the Camps==