1941 ⟶ Auchinleck Takes Command in North Africa

General Auchinleck takes over from General Wavell in North A...
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Year
1941
1942

🇬🇧 Auchinleck Takes Command in North Africa

General Auchinleck takes over from General Wavell in North Africa.⟶
North AfricaGeneral AuchinleckGeneral WavellBritish ArmyMilitary CommandCampaignWorld War IIWar in AfricaMiddle East

🇩🇪 Rommel Appointed Head of German Troops in Africa

Lieutenant-General Erwin Rommel is appointed head of "German Army troops in Africa." This unit is later to be officially designated as the "Afrika Korps".⟶
Rommel Appointed Head of German Troops in Africa (1941)
Erwin RommelAfrika KorpsGerman ArmyNorth AfricaMilitary CommandWorld War IIGeneralTank WarfareDesert FoxCampaign

⚔️ First Confrontation in North Africa: El Agheila

German and British troops confront each other for the first time in North Africa—at El Agheila in western Libya.⟶
North AfricaEl AgheilaCombatMilitary ConflictDesert WarBritish ArmyGerman Army

💂 Auchinleck Replaces Wavell in Libya/Egypt

British general in Libya/Egypt Wavell is replaced by General Auchinleck.⟶
British ArmyNorth AfricaMilitary LeadershipWavellAuchinleckWorld War IIDesert WarfareEgyptLibya

✍️ Churchill Pressures Auchinleck to Act in North Africa

Winston Churchill, concerned that the situation in Malta will cause the Axis forces in North Africa to be better supplied than British forces, sends a telegram to Sir Stafford Cripps in Cairo, asking him to pressure General Auchinleck to take offensive action before this can occur.⟶
Churchill Pressures Auchinleck to Act in North Africa (1942)
ChurchillNorth AfricaMilitary StrategySupply LinesBritish ArmyAxis ForcesTelegramAuchinleckCairo

📝 Churchill Pressures Auchinleck

Churchill, growing ever more frustrated with General Auchinleck's inactivity, finally sends him a telegram with a clear order; attack in time to cover for the Harpoon/Vigorous convoys to Malta during the dark of the moon in early June. This places Auchinleck in the position of complying or resigning. Auchinleck does not immediately reply, leaving Churchill, CIGS, and the War Cabinet in a state of suspense.⟶
Churchill Pressures Auchinleck (1942)
AuchinleckChurchillNorth AfricaMilitary CommandBritish ArmyWar Cabinet