Operation Venezia
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Operation Venezia was a World War II 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 8:30pm,[1] May 26th, 1942 after his reconnaissance confirmed the presence of strong British armoured formations north-east of Bir Hakeim.[2] His encircling force consisted of 10,000 vehicles[3] from the 15th Panzer Division, 21st Panzer Division, the Ariete Armoured Division and the motorized elements of the 90th Light Division.[4]
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. [5]
