15 June 1941 – Operation BATTLEAXE launched

The plan for Operation BATTLEAXE had the 11th Indian Brigade advancing along the coastal plain to the Halfaya Pass from the east whilst the Guards and the 4th Armoured Brigades moved along the top of the escarpment to attack Sollum and Halfaya from the west. The intended destruction of the Axis forces between these two forces would open the way to Tobruk. Meanwhile the 7th Armoured Brigade was to cover the flank from attackers coming from Sidi Omar.

Unfortunately for the Allies, Rommel had received intelligence about the attack as early as the 6 June, and on the evening of the 14th warned his troops that it would happen the next day.