Tobruk part three: The Desert Fox

"Be an example to your men, in your duty and in private life. Never spare yourself, and let the troops see that you don't in your endurance of fatigue and privation. Always be tactful and well mannered and teach your subordinates to do the same. Avoid excessive sharpness or harshness of voice, which usually indicates the man has shortcomings of his own to hide." - Irwin Rommel

I have posted a couple of blogs about the siege of Tobruk in WWII recently. My thought initially was that it would be a brief glimpse into the significant Australian involvement and an homage I suppose, considering my intense Australian-ness, respect for those who serve and Australian history. After doing two parts, the first of which introduced the siege at Tobruk and Desert War in general, and the second the initial capturing of Tobruk by the 6th Division, I realised it would not be as simple a task as just talking about the Australian aspect and involvement. (You can see links at the end of this post to those previous two posts).

The siege and Desert War as a whole was a conflagration that involved many players and elements and to impart to my reader the whole picture would be impossible. Well, not impossible, but difficult through lack of time. Having said that I have decided to write about some of the other components of the war in Africa to balance out my series. The first of which is not on the Australian or Allied side at all though, this post is on the German commander Erwin Rommel, one of Germany's most brilliant tacticians. Panzer IV image source

Erwin Rommel, (1891 –1944) Field Marshall

Rommel was a decorated officer from the First World War and even at that early stage his brilliance for military tactics shone though. He penned the book Infantry Attacks based on his actions on the Italian Front and in the early part of the second war was instrumental in the invasion of France in command of the 7th Panzer Division, or 'Ghost Division' as it came to be known. It consisted of over two hundred tanks, two rifle regiments, and three other battalions: Motorcycle, engineer and anti-tank. That's a lot of men and equipment to command. Tactics involved highly mobile infantry and armour (tanks) that would focus on, and punch through, the enemy's defences at one point and continue deep into the enemy zone whilst supporting tanks and infantry fanned out back at the breach to subdue enemy forces along their line. Rommel used this tactic in the Desert War to great effect also. Rommel arrived in Africa to bring order to a campaign that was not going well. The Australian's had just defeated the Italian's and taken Tobruk and the Germans wanted it back due to the strategic value of its port. He arrived in Tripoli on the 12th February 1941 (77 years and 1 day ago) Rommel image source

In Africa Rommel commanded the 15th and 21st Panzer Divisions and their associated units and at the time was a General, not Field Marshall. He went into action about a month after arriving with the 5th Light Division (later renamed the 21st Division) and a couple of Italian Divisions capturing El Brega, Benghazi and Cyrenaica. This first action highlighted what would become his ultimate downfall however; Supply. Hundreds of tanks and trucks required a lot of fuel and the men required food and ammunition, all of which was in short supply. Fuel, food and water all had to come from Europe and make its way to the front by road and keeping his army fed, fuelled and armed became a full-time job for Rommel and his officers.

Rommel eyes Tobruk

Considering his supply shortfalls and the fragility of a long supply-chain Rommel eyed Tobruk with eager intent. Its port would ensure supplies were kept up and the rest of his Desert War could proceed without fear of the lack of fuel, food or water supplies.

On the 14th of April he launched an attack on the town’s defences and the Aussie’s manning them that failed and from then Rommel and General Morshead attacked and counter-attacked until the end of the siege in November. Unfortunately for Rommel his favoured tactic of fast and mobile attacks combining men and armour were not possible, or that successful, as his tanks would move much faster than his fuel supply could resulting in his tanks being rendered useless by lack of fuel. Both sides fought hard and with brilliance in attack, counter attack and defence. One of Rommel’s great advantages though was his Panzer Tanks. Until his arrival in Africa the British Matilda tank had dominated but they were no match for the Panzer; Its superior firepower would open up a Matilda like a can of sardines and it’s armour was near on impenetrable! Added to their awesome firepower was Rommels’s 88mm anti-aircraft cannon which were also very effective tank killers. Their accuracy and range made short work of Allied armour; The 88 could accurately destroy a tank from two kilometers away.

During the campaign in Africa Rommel gained the nickname of Desert Fox given to him by the Allied commanders due to his outstanding tactics, ingenuity and ability to get the best from his men and equipment. It showed the respect the Allies had for their adversary. Rommel was universally liked by his troops and officers alike, and his reputation for chivalry throughout the campaign was wildly known and acclaimed. He treated prisoners with a great deal of respect and courtesy; Honourable adversaries. The war in Africa had become known as the war in without hate. Rommel inspecting troops image source

Rommel’s war continued in Africa and he won and lost depending on the day. He did so with the same intelligence, focus and professionalism he had applied to his entire career and he took those same principles to his next commend: Opposing the Allies in Normandy in June 1944. This was 5 months before his death, and the end, or beginning, of a legend.

Field Marshal Erwin Rommel was implicated in a July plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler and was captured. Due to his status as a national hero Hitler was keen to dispose of him quickly and quietly. After his arrest he was given the option of a trial ending in humiliation and execution or suicide with assurances his family would not be harmed. He chose the latter.

On the 14th of October 1944 Erwin Rommel crushed a cyanide pill in his mouth and died. It was announced he had died from complications over injuries sustained when his staff car was strafed in Normandy and was given a State Funeral so as not to raise questions.

Erwin Rommel was a fierce adversary on the battlefield, a superb battlefield commander, loving husband and father, a gentleman and a scholar. He had honour and was thought of with respect, even by opposing commanders. He will be remembered as good or bad depending upon who is doing the remembering and contention continues to this day on whether he was indeed a hero or villain. To the Aussie and Allied troops defending Tobruk against him, and in other actions throughout the desert war, he was regarded with mixed emotions however it was widely accepted that he was a chivalrous and respectful commander who fought with brilliant tactics and brutal efficiency but also one who would treat prisoners of war with extreme respect and care. Image source

I hope you have enjoyed this small piece on Erwin Rommel; No story about Tobruk or the Desert War in Africa could be told without mentioning him. I have given only a brief insight and over my next couple of posts may mention him again but for my next post the focus will shift back to the Aussies.

[- Design and create your ideal life, don’t live it by default - @galenkp -]

Ps. This post is not intended to be pro or anti anything or anyone. It is a story about a historical figure who played a part in one of Australia's military conflicts. There were heroes and villains on both sides of the conflict, there always is. I retell these stories as I believe it is important to remember the past and in the retelling I believe it is important to talk about both sides. Men fought and died no matter which uniform they wore, many against their will and they should be remembered. Lest we forget

Here's the links to the two previous posts.

Read part one here
Read part two here