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How did General Archibald Wavell respond to the Italian forces in Egypt?

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Map showing the British and Axis military campaigns in North Africa during World War II, with labeled troop movements, key battles, and shifting front lines from Egypt across Libya to Tunisia along the Mediterranean coast. The map includes arrows and dates marking advances and retreats by both sides, and highlights major turning points and defensive lines. — North Africa campaigns Military drives, defensive lines, and key battles during the North Africa campaigns of World War II, 1940–43.

General Archibald Wavell, commander in chief for the Middle East, responded to the Italian presence in Egypt with a proactive strategy rather than remaining passive. Despite being significantly outnumbered, Wavell utilized part of his limited armored forces to conduct a series of raids across the frontier to harass Italian positions.1

When the Italians advanced into the Western Desert in September 1940 and established a chain of fortified camps, Wavell seized the initiative. He launched a large-scale offensive—commanded by Maj. Gen. Richard Nugent O’Connor—that successfully destroyed the forces of Marshal Rodolfo Graziani. This campaign resulted in the capture of tens of thousands of prisoners and the near collapse of the Italian hold on North Africa.12

However, this momentum was halted when Winston Churchill redeployed British forces to Greece. This depletion left the British vulnerable to the subsequent arrival of Erwin Rommel and his German mechanized forces, eventually leading to Wavell's removal from command.12