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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 formed part 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 formed part of the spearhead, which comprised the two participating Libyan Divisions.

After recapturing Fort Capuzzo under the cover of a desert storm, the invaders 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>The Italian and Libyan divisions advanced approximately 95 kilometers in three days. The advance stopped at the town of Sidi Barrani on 16 September. The Italians then dug in, fortified their positions, and awaited reinforcements and supplies.

After recapturing Fort Capuzzo and Halfaya Pass, the invaders 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>The Italian and Libyan divisions advanced approximately 95 kilometers in three days. The advance stopped at the town of Sidi Barrani on 16 September. The Italians then dug in, fortified their positions, and awaited reinforcements and supplies.

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

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