February 10-12, 1941

On February 10, 1941, part of the 132nd Armoured Division (Ariete) was located in a blocking position west of El Agheila. They faced the 7th Armoured Division Support Group to the east. 7th Armoured Division HQ was south of Beda Fomm, perhaps at Agedabia. At Beda Fomm were the 4th and 7th Armoured Brigades. In the Benghazi area were the XIII Corp HQ and the 17th and 19th Australian Brigades. Cyrenaica Command was near Barce, with the 6th Australian Division HQ. The main Italian force was located in the Tripoli area. This included the rest of the Ariete Division, and the 25th, 27th, and 55th Divisions. On February 12th, General Rommel arrived at Tripoli. He suggested to General Garibaldi that he move the bulk of his forces forward to the Sirte-Buerat area as a blocking force to fight a defensive battle. The German reconnaissance unit was also sent forward. The 5th Light Division and Air Force units would not be in place until about March 20th. This is based on the account in To Benghazi.