On January 3, 1941, the Desert Rats assault on Bardia was launched, with 22 Matilda II tanks leading the way. The Italian defence quickly collapsed, and by the third day, January 6, the whole garrison had surrendered, with 45,000 prisoners, 462 artillery pieces, and 129 tanks falling into British hands. Stanley was one of the last to die in this battle. The 7th Armoured Division then drove westward to isolate Tobruk until the Australians could mount an assault on that coastal fortress