Political pressure produced an advance that stopped at separated camps

Mussolini pressed Graziani to attack Egypt despite the commander's reluctance and doubts about his preparations. Wavell planned to withdraw toward Mersa Matruh, so the Italian force initially crossed the frontier without opposition. Graziani then stopped around Sidi Barrani and dispersed his troops among camps too far apart to support one another. The pause allowed British reinforcements to arrive and gave Wavell time to plan an attack. Churchill pressed for an earlier start, but Wavell retained a December timetable and described the operation as a raid because his force was outnumbered and had to cross a long stretch of desert.