THE SIEGE

Lieutenant General Erwin Rommel was to become one of the war’s most celebrated commanders.  He was highly respected even by the allies.  Rommel was a brave and inspiring leader whose reputation as a master of desert warfare was well founded.  He was given the nick name The Desert Fox.  He had outstanding success as a leader and an uncompromising belief that all prisoners of war should be well looked after and not abused.

Early in 1941, Rommel was given control of the Afrika Korps, the principal units of which were two armoured (tank ) divisions.  The Germans were marvellously equipped and superbly trained.  After arriving in Libya, Rommel swung his attention to Tobruk.  On 10 April 1941, Rommel surrounded Tobruk with tanks and foot soldiers.  The ensuing 242 day siege catapulted Tobruk from obscurity to headline around the world.  On 7 December 1941, Rommel was forced to abandon the siege.  This was the first defeat of the German army in World War 2.

Back in Germany, Rommel was suspected of being involved in the plot against Hitler.  He ended his own life on 14 October 1944 and was buried with full military honours.