Operation Venezia
Encyclopedia
Operation Venezia was a Second World War
operation in which Erwin Rommel
moved a large portion of his forces around Bir Hakeim, the southern most part of the British Gazala Line, soon after the start of the Battle of Gazala
.
Rommel activated the operation at 20:30 on 26 May 1942, after his reconnaissance confirmed the presence of strong British armoured formations north-east of Bir Hakeim. His encircling force consisted of 10,000 vehicles from the 15. and 21. Panzerdivisions, the Italian Ariete Armoured Division
and the motorized elements of the German 90th Light Infantry Division.
The British forces were expecting Rommel to make an attack and, on intercepting a signal which contained the codeword "Venezia", assumed, incorrectly, that it was the name of the full operation. This mistake is often repeated in historical literature.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
operation in which Erwin Rommel
Erwin Rommel
Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel , popularly known as the Desert Fox , was a German Field Marshal of World War II. He won the respect of both his own troops and the enemies he fought....
moved a large portion of his forces around Bir Hakeim, the southern most part of the British Gazala Line, soon after the start of the Battle of Gazala
Battle of Gazala
The Battle of Gazala was an important battle of the Second World War Western Desert Campaign, fought around the port of Tobruk in Libya from 26 May-21 June 1942...
.
Rommel activated the operation at 20:30 on 26 May 1942, after his reconnaissance confirmed the presence of strong British armoured formations north-east of Bir Hakeim. His encircling force consisted of 10,000 vehicles from the 15. and 21. Panzerdivisions, the Italian Ariete Armoured Division
Italian 132nd Armored Division Ariete
The Ariete Armoured Division was an armoured division of the Italian Army during World War II. It was formed in 1939 as the second armoured division in the Italian Army after the 131 Armoured Division Centauro. The division fought in the North African Campaign until being destroyed during the...
and the motorized elements of the German 90th Light Infantry Division.
The British forces were expecting Rommel to make an attack and, on intercepting a signal which contained the codeword "Venezia", assumed, incorrectly, that it was the name of the full operation. This mistake is often repeated in historical literature.