1942 ⟶ Rommel Attacks Bir Hachim
Rommel turns his troops to Bir Hachim on the south edge of t...
Year
1941
1942
🇩🇪 Rommel's Victory at Halfaya Pass
Rommel wins an important victory at Halfaya Pass, close to the Egyptian border.⟶
North AfricaDesert WarRommelAxisBritishEgyptMilitary VictoryTank WarfareAfrika Korps
🇩🇪 Rommel Attacks Gazala Line, Tobruk Holds
Rommel attacks the Gazala defence line and crosses into Egypt; Tobruk continues to hold however.⟶
North AfricaDesert WarRommelGazala LineTobrukAxisBritishEgyptMilitary CampaignAfrika Korps
⬆️ Commonwealth Troops Push Rommel Back at Gazala Line
Commonwealth troops push Rommel back at the Gazala line.⟶
North AfricaGazala LineRommelMilitary OperationsCommonwealthAxis PowersDesert WarfareBattle
🪖 Rommel Attacks Bir Hachim
Rommel turns his troops to Bir Hachim on the south edge of the Gazala line; once it is taken, he can move north and destroy the Allied emplacements in the line.⟶
North AfricaDesert WarAfrika KorpsMilitary OffensiveBattleTank WarfareBir HakeimRommelGazala Line
⚔️ Rommel's Spring Offensive Begins at Gazala Line
Rommel begins a Spring offensive at the Gazala line (west of Tobruk). It opens with "Rommel's Moonlight Ride," a dramatic mechanized dash around 1st Free French Brigade Group positions at Bir Hakeim on the British left (desertward) flank, conducted by moonlight during the night of 26/27 May. In the process Rommel disperses 3rd Indian Motorized Brigade, some six hundred of whom are taken prisoner and then released in the desert, and who will make their way to Bir Hakeim. The offensive lasts well into June and ends with a total victory for Rommel.⟶
North AfricaDesert WarAfrika KorpsMilitary OffensiveBattleTank WarfareBir HakeimRommelGazala Line
⚔️ Rommel Drives Out Free French at Bir Hakeim
Rommel pushes the Free French forces out of Bir Hakeim, a fortress south-west of Tobruk. Although the 1st Free French brigade is largely surrounded, their commander, General Koenig, is able to find and fight his way through gaps in Rommel's widely dispersed forces.⟶
North AfricaDesert WarFree FrenchRommelBir Hakeimbattlesmilitary tactics