'Desert Fox' claimed victory through Operation Battleaxe | World War II
(June 11, 2021) This week, 80 years ago, Allied forces, commanded by Gen. Sir Noel Beresford-Peirse, reluctantly, and under pressure from London, launched âOperation Battleaxe.â The Allied forces, now designated XIII Corps, included the British 7th Armored Division, commanded by Maj.-Gen. Michael OâMoore Creagh; the 4th Indian Division, commanded by Maj.-Gen. Frank Messervy; and the 22nd Guards Brigade, commanded by Brig.-Gen. Ian D. Erskine. It was a feeble attempt at relieving the siege of Tobruk, which today has a population of 120,000, and is approximately 90 miles west of ...