1941 ⟶ Rommel Defeats 'Brevity' Counter-Attack
Rommel defeats a counter-attack, "Brevity", at Halfaya Pass....
Year
1941
1942
1943
🏜️ Rommel Defeats 'Brevity' Counter-Attack
Rommel defeats a counter-attack, "Brevity", at Halfaya Pass. The two sides trade alternating control of Fort Capuzzo and Halfaya Pass.⟶
North AfricaRommelMilitary OperationsBattle of Halfaya PassDesert WarfareWorld War II
🛡️ Rommel's Attack on Tobruk Fails
Rommel attacks Tobruk, but is forced to turn back. Other attacks, also failures, occur on the 16th and 30th.⟶
North AfricaTobrukRommelAfrika KorpsBattleMilitary FailureDesert Warfare
⬆️ Commonwealth Troops Push Rommel Back at Gazala Line
Commonwealth troops push Rommel back at the Gazala line.⟶
North AfricaGazala LineRommelMilitary OperationsCommonwealthAxis PowersDesert WarfareBattle
⚔️ Battle of Gazala: British Counter-Attack Fails
At Gazala, British forces of the Eighth Army commanded by General Ritchie launch a major counter-attack against Rommel's forces in the Cauldron. The attack fails, partly because Rommel has already recovered his critical logistics situation and has established an excellent defensive position, but also in large part due to German anti-tank tactics; 32nd Army Tank Brigade, for example, loses 50 of 70 tanks. By early afternoon Rommel is clearly in control of the situation and attacks the British position known as "Knightsbridge" with the Ariete and 21st Panzer divisions. Several British tactical headquarters positions are overrun and command and control of the British forces becomes problematic; as a result, several brigades are stranded in the Cauldron when the British retirement begins. In addition, the British suffer further heavy tank losses.⟶
North AfricaBattle of GazalaEighth ArmyRommelTank BattleGerman ArmyBritish ArmyDesert WarfareMilitary Strategy
🇫🇷 Free French Brigade at Bir Hakeim Withdraws
At Bir Hakeim, Rommel renews his attacks on the 1st Free French Brigade's "box". Although the Free French continue to hold out, their perimeter, never the largest, is dangerously reduced in size, and their position becomes untenable. General Ritchie orders 1st Free French Brigade to withdraw the following day.⟶
Bir HakeimNorth AfricaFree FrenchRommelDesert WarfareWorld War IIMilitary OperationsAfrica
⚔️ Rommel's Counter-Attack in Tunisia Begins
Rommel launches a counter-attack against the Americans in western Tunisia; he takes Sidi Bouzid and Gafsa. The Battle of the Kasserine Pass begins⟶
RommelNorth AfricaTunisiaBattle of Kasserine Passmilitary campaignAxis forcesWWII