Thursday, December 19, 1940 - The Italian base at Bardia besieged

[Louis]

Operation Compass was progressing in North Africa. Launched on the 9th December the Italian base at Sidi Barrani had been captured quickly and now other italian bases along the coast were in the sights of the British. Captain Rea Leakey was with the 7th Armoured Brigade as it pursued the Italian army into Libya. They found themselves slowed down by the number of prisoners wanting to surrender to them. Then on the outskirts of Bardia they encountered some Italian tanks and went in pursuit of them.

Matilda tank of the 7th Royal Tank Regiment in North Africa, 19 Dec 1940