WWII -1940 North African Campaign- The italian invasion of Aegypt, La Domenica del Corriere September 22nd 1940. Print A. Beltrame. The Italian Invasion of Egypt was an Italian offensive action against British, Commonwealth and Free French forces during the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War. Initially, the goal of the offensive was to seize the Suez Canal. To accomplish this, Italian forces from Libya would have to advance across northern Egypt to the canal. After numerous delays, the aim of the offensive was scaled back considerably. Ultimately, the goal was to advance into Egypt and attack any forces confronting the advance.