The air component of Operation Compass

Operation Compass, the attack on Italian forces, had a strong air contingent, given the remoteness of the region. They had 48 fighters and 116 bombers. They included two Hurricane squadrons and one Gladiator squadron. Of the bombers, there were three Blenheim squadrons, three Wellington, and one Bombay squadron. Air Commodore Collishaw commanded the force from his headquarters at Maaten Baggush. This is based on the account in Vol.I of the Official History.