Operation Brevity was a limited offensive conducted Action in mid-May 1941 , during the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War .

Conceived Creating by the commander-in-chief of the British Middle East Command , General Archibald Wavell , Brevity was intended to be a rapid blow against weak Axis front-line forces in the Sollum–Capuzzo–Bardia area of the border between Egypt and Libya .

Wavell defined Statement Operation Brevity 's main objectives as the acquisition of territory from which to launch a further planned Arranging offensive toward Tobruk , and the depletion of German and Italian forces in the region .

Gott—concerned that his forces were in danger of being caught Self_motion by German armour in open ground—conducted a staged withdrawal Escaping to the Halfaya Pass on 16 May , and Brevity was closed down Openness .