Combe Force

Combe Force, or Combeforce, was an ad hoc flying column formed by the British Army for a specific purpose during the latter stages of Operation Compass. Combe Force was formed to cut across the open desert of Cyrenaica and cut off the retreating Italian Army which was travelling along the coastal road, the Via Balbia. Combe Force was formed for this one purpose during the early stages of the North African Campaign in World War II.

Creation
Combe Force was created by Major General Michael O'Moore Creagh towards the end of Operation Compass.

In early December 1940, the British launched the Operation Compass counterattack against the Italian forces which had invaded Egypt in September. At that time, the Italians advanced only as far as Sidi Barrani and established defensive positions there in a series of fortified camps. These camps were overrun during the initial stages of Operation Compass. As Operation Compass progressed, Italian garrisons in Bardia and then Tobruk were isolated and captured. By February 1941, the remaining Italian forces in Cyrenaica were withdrawing down the Via Balbia with the British 7th Armored Division and the Australian 6th Infantry Division close behind.

Combe Force was created to cut across the open desert and block the escape route of the slow moving Italian columns as they traveled down the coastal highway from Benghazi. Combe Force was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel John Combe.

Composition
Because speed was of the essence and because the available British tanks needed more time for replenishment, Combe Force was to consist of formations which utilized wheeled vehicles. The composition of Combe Force was as follows:
 * 11th Hussars
 * 2nd Rifle Brigade - From the 7th Support Group
 * C Battery 4th Royal Horse Artillery (RHA) with 25-pounder guns - From the 7th Support Group
 * 106th (Lancashire Hussars) Regiment RHA with nine 37mm Bofors anti-tank guns portee mounted on trucks