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The British had broken the Italian and German Naval codes used in the Mediterranean and this enabled the Royal Navy to intercept and destroy the supply convoys that Rommel depended on for reinforcements, weapons, amusement, food, and fuel. Without adequate logistical support, Rommels campaign ground to a halt.
Rommel was already worn down from 1941 Rats of Tobruk beating him. disgusting USA even claim they are the reson for his defeat when was defeated before this. USA known for waiting for other's to wear down a enemy before finishing it and claiming the win.
After the American fiasco in Tunisia in 1943, Rommel was inspecting the American POWs. One of them had a box, inside a cake his mother baked for him. Americans had the logistical power to send a cake from the US to North Africa. According to the legend, Rommel muttered that there was no way Germany could win the war
@idontthinkso2861 Average? With a German corp he drove an entire British Army across Africa and almost off the continent. The British were only able to defeat him with Ultra and American logistics and supply.
@@TDL-xg5nn almost? Rommel was very far away from total victory in Africa. Rommel would not be able to do anything without Italian logistics and merchant marine. Rommel was indeed average, as was shown in Normandy.
My Uncle was killed in action at the battle of El Guettar. 9th div, 47th regiment, company B. He was 19 years old. Thank you for your sacrifice Uncle Earl. May you rest in the arms of the Lord of all eternity.
The 2 pounder gun used in the Matilda *could* use both armor piercing and high explosive rounds. British quartermasters only issued them armor piercing, though. Because their job was to engage other tanks, so it was felt that giving them a round that couldn't penetrate tank armor was a waste. Matilda tank crews hated this, because their biggest threat was German antitank guns. Which couldn't be taken out using armor piercing rounds, but were fairly easy to destroy using high explosive rounds
..false , the only anti-tank gun that could penettrate the Matilda A12 was the Flak 88, which far out ranged the 2 pdr that it wouldn't have mattered . British tactical inferiority was due to poor tactics and failure to use combined arms and concentration of force. The British armor, infantry, and artillery would all do their own thing instead of working together. Don't charge anti-tank guns with armor use artillery to suppress it, 2 generations later, the Russians are still making the same mistakes with the same results..
OQF 2pdr guns fired only a solid shot round. A high explosive round was only developed in 1942, but by October 1942 most Matildas had been lost in action
No. Although a HE shell was available, the bursting charge was so small as to make it almost useless. Actually, the Matilda II was an infantry support, or 'I' tank, rather than a cruiser tank, and the primary role was to operate as part of an Army Tank Brigade in support of infantry, rather than as part of an Armoured Brigade. In fact, for the 'I' tank role, the Matilda II (CS) tank was better. CS standing for 'close support.' These were armed with three inch howitzers.
When I studied the African campaign some 40 years ago, I had constantly heard about how the Italian units were cowards and lackluster. However, I read one document of an analysis of the Ariete Division's nearly single stand against almost the entire British 8th Army after 2nd El Alamein in order to cover the PAK and XX Corps withdrawal, fighting down to the point where it was assumed the entire division was destroyed (about 4 vehicles, 2 of them tanks, survived and rejoined Rommel west of Benghazi). I had to think, if a single division armed mostly with Semoventi (self-propelled assault guns) and with just 2 companies of M14 tanks (roughly equivalent to the earlier British Cruiser tanks) stood off better than 20:1 odds for almost an entire day, THAT was courageous, not cowardly. My analyses since then have resulted in my view that the primary problem for the RE (Regio Esercito - Royal Army) was 3 fold: 1) Poor Equipment, 2) Poor Leadership, 3) Poor Logistics. There was nothing at all wrong with the Italian soldiers in the field.
Just take in consideration also the Folgore paratroopers division. A desperate resistance in el Qattara depression up to their almost total disappearance
Listen.. I've been a fan of Rommel since i was a teenager. I've spent 2 decades reading several books and watching countless videos about his life and military career. He was an above average commander, able to recognize when oders needed to be disobeyed in order to capitalize on changes happening in real time. His drive through France, his drives through North Africa.. they are undoubtedly impressive. Its important to note, however, that these impressive drives only occurred against commanders who, often, were unwilling or unable to adapt to a changing battlefield. When he was up against a prepared enemy with competent commanders his successes were greatly diminished. As others have pointed out, it was in the best interest of Allies (particularly the British) to exaggerate his prowess in order to downplay their own failings and elevate their own victories against him.
Rommel's biggest advantage in North Africa for the largest part of the North African campaign was the information gotten from the interception of the reports filed by US Army Col. Bonner Fellers, the military attache in Cairo. His reports to the US military command were read by Italian and German intelligence and gave them a wealth of tactical and strategic intelligence that greatly influenced Rommel's amazing success. That ended in June-July of 1942 after being discovered by Allied intelligence, with some erroneous information also being distributed. That caused the debacle at Alam el Halfa and led to the British Victory at 2nd Alamein, in spite of Montgomery. Rommel's prescience was more of a result of this information and signals intelligence interception by the organic unit of the Afrika Corps. That drastically was reduced when the unit was virtually wiped out in July of 1942.
Lol he was useless in 1941 and couldn't win against mainly Australian Rats of Tobruk and tried again after knowing those Australian's left to fight Japanese from invading their homeland and you would know this if read his diaries as you so claim. He was worn down from 1941 and lost a lot of men then and as always USA came in late thinking they did it all when as always someone wears the enemy down before that for them to claim all victory.
"When he was up against a prepared enemy with competent commanders his successes were greatly diminished." - The phrase I often use on this is "Rommel used dash to the wire, its super/not very effective" depending on which commander he was facing at the time. EG in France, super effective, vs the Auk in Operation Crusader, nope.
@@evananderson1455 Yeah, he is like a pokemon, he had like 2-4 actual tactics and that was it, the main 1 being dash the wire. Whenever he actually had to fight a battle at the level he got promoted to he really couldnt do much more. Very much promoted above his capability imo.
I would just like to say, this is one of the most informative TH-cam channels for history. I was first introduced to this channel watching the 6 hour long franco-prussian war documentary and it's been a rabbit hole ever since. Between the presentation, the host, and the level of knowledge displayed within this channel without a doubt make it the definitive historical TH-cam channel. I cannot thank this channel enough for their unyielding knowledge, and masterful presentation. As a history enthusiast; to watch and be apart of this channel is nothing short of an honor. Thank you for all you do and I always look forward to the next video!
@@realtimehistorythank you for continuing this project. I’ll never fully understand why Indy decided to leave but frankly the team has improved the content since his departure.
Of course the opposite is also true. Allied success against Rommel was dependant on Ultra. If you add to the mix all the supplies that Ultra was responsible for sinking in the Mediterranean, Rommel might very well have taken Egypt.
As an Australian I want to add that the stopping at Tobruk for such a long time basically exhausted the Germans and caused their inevitable defeat from their. We call those troops the Rats of Tobruk, outnumbered and outmanned. They dug in and gave it everything for as long as they could. Edit: they pulled out eventually, they didn’t lose. Then they went to Australia to stop the Japanese invasion with the rest of our troops, and won there as well.
Don't forget, brother, only America won the war. The fact that everyone was suffering from exhaustion means nothing. When you show up fresh and a limitless military supply of men and equipment. Our men did fantastic I too am a very proud Aussie.
His Afrika Corps was completely abandoned by Hitler and OKH when Operation Barbarossa began. I don't think anyone in Berlin realized how crucial the war in North Africa was to the eventual defeat of Italy in 1943, but they certainly would after Sicily when it was far too late.
Absolutely, and they could have won it quickly if they had sent much more much sooner... also, the Italians could have easily taken Malta in June 1940 and completely dropped the ball amd that would have made it all moot and the campaign would have been much easier.
Late to the party, but spot on. The loss of Africa gave Churchill the edge he needed to convince the Allies to attack the "soft underbelly" (Italy) of the Axis powers. The whole war was a clusterfuck. Generals with the heads up their arses and the politicians 'grandstanding'. The only person who knew what he was doing was Stalin.
Well it isn't so much that Rommel was abandoned as it was that the British were consistently braking the German codes and dispatching the Royal Navy to sink his supply ships. The ULTRA code braking remained a secret until 1974, so historians had to find other explanations for Rommel's poor supply situation.
I feel you need to acknowledge the strong correlation between Rommel's success and his access to British intelligence. The German's had broken the American codes and were able to monitor reports from the US liaison about British plans. On top of this, Rommel had developed effective signals intelligence and was able to monitor British communication to British units and action the reports faster than the British were themselves. Once these leaks were plugged, denying Rommel access to British intentions, he was far less effective.
ULTRA was reading the Wehrmacht's mail on the front in real time. The British weren't comprimised - excuses for Monty not moving. The GIs at the time were not operating anywhere around the 8th Army and didn't know Monty's directives .Look at the massive advantages in men an material. The Afrika Korp had no answer for Complete air supremecy or their own lack of resupply because ULTRA kept the Royal navy and RAF posted on any of their movements and time
Rommel was fortunate in the timing of his attacks. When he arrived in Africa in early 1941, a number of British divisions had been withdrawn and sent to shore up Greece. A year later in early 42, troops had been withdrawn and sent to the far east to counter the Japanese advances. Notably a lot of the Australians.. The British also had to deal with other threats in the middle east. Italians in Etheopia, Vichy French in Syria, and pro axis rebels in Iraq. These distractions don't get a lot of attention, but they were all successfully dealt with by the British middle east command.
I would argue the Germans were more distracted than the British, they did have this small country to the east called Russia... Jokes aside, Rommel's only real objective in Africa was to buy time which he did a phenomenal job of, nobody should think of him getting pushed out of Africa as a defeat, he did exactly what he was there to do probably better than any other German officer could have done with the same resources. German command fumbled the Eastern front but Rommel's stalling gave them at least the time to try and win it.
not luck but brilliance of command justify humiliated defeats for just lucky timing is not appropriate and underestimate great effort of afrika corp remember that German forces were out gunned and numbered even Italian forces fighting at its backyard supported German forces in soviet union more than it supported its own troops in Africa or as Mussolini stated " to show fascist solidarity beside even if Rommel attacks were when his enemies were most vulnerable in timing as you allege initative
@mohamedelghoul4198T here is plenty of luck involved in war, and Churchill stripping Wavell of his strength in 1941 was very lucky for Rommel indeed. Acknowledging that is not a slight against Rommel or the Afrika Korps.
@@mohamedelghoul4198Rommel wasn’t so much brilliant as his opponents were incompetent. Once Montgomery rolled in Rommel had to pack up and call it quits since Monty didn’t fall for the same tricks his predecessor had.
There is an interesting article (2010) from the BBC's programme From Our Own Correspondent titled "Lethal landmine legacy from battle of El Alamein." As the title states, even today the effects of the battle are still present. Even today people are maimed and killed by land mines in and around the area of the battlefield called "The Devil's Garden."
Before the war, the local men always walked in front, leading the way. Once the minefields were laid and killed a few men, they made the women walk in front.
Can't we just use those mine proof APV To drive over the mines blowing up the mines or did they forget were they put them all ..... Ok just get 600 pedos and force them to run around areas there could be mines can't use anyone useful for that job 😊
One of the most crucial moments in the North African campaign was the rout and regroup of the British 8th Army. Routed by Rommel and having him on their rears, they were given two weeks to regroup and fortify thanks to the 1st Free French Brigade of General Koenig, which held back 35000 Italians and Germans personally led by Rommel, at Bir Hakeim. The respite the British got allowed them to build effective defenses and it'd allow them to eventually win the Second Battle of El Alamein.
exactly, he could have annihilated the 8th british army if the 1st free french brigade didn't held so long, allowing them to refrom the front. And most impressive is that the first free french brigade escape despite being surrounded and heavy outnumbered. this is one of the most impressive battle of this north african campaing;
If %100 of the german troops,fighting on the eastern front, had been in north africa,the glorious german army would have scattered the allied troops to million pieces
My great grandfather (who was also half german/half british and born in germany but emigrated to the UK before the war) served as a tank driver in the desert rats! There's a video of him marching in front of Churchill after El-Alamein! Can't believe my great-nan threw away his beret after he passed
That's a killer. I was given a genuine German Pazershrek bazooka, model 1943 with face shield, by a neighbor, when I was 11 years old. My mother hated it, and started her own campaign to get rid of it. She finally cooked up a phony tag sale, with a couple of other things...and my bazooka, for sale. 5 minutes after we opened, a guy driving by slammed on his brakes, jumped out, and rushed over, buying my precious bazooka for $5.00. My mom has passed away, and I am still mad at her for doing that!
The Free French of General Marie-Pierre Koenig were also able to give respite to the allies at El-Alamein, by holding the Axis forces for two weeks at Bir-Hakeim.
that's Not True After The Germans Overran The Free French At Bir Hakeim they Inflicted a Heavy Defeat Of the British 8th Army At Gazala and Captured Tobruk within 24hours Capturing Tons Of supplies, Ammunition,Trucks and Fuel, and 33k British POWS, El Alamein Didn't Happen Until Like 5 months after Bir Hakeim and Gazala
@@enalb5085 After the siege of Lille in 1940, the Germans gave the "Honours of War" to the French defenders who held out for multiples days at 1 against 10. This was one of the reasons Operation Dynamo was a strategic success.
I am seriously impressed by your language feel. Perfect beyond belief. You are not like all the others who have only a concept of English, one of 7000 languages in the world. Your German, Italian, french and Japanese is just a joy to listen to. Thank you so much for that.
@@thomasdoubting I was in the US Army from private to colonel and heard, "company-grade officers talk tactics, field-grade officers talk strategy, and generals talk logistics." I do not know where that came from, but it seems to confirm the time honored tradition.
A local fellow here in Northern Ontario served with the 8th. His only kit was shorts and a great-coat for the cold nights. You might consider doing a thing on Poopski's Private Army.
I've read a few books on this topic. Its absolutely insane what his corps accomplished with what little he had, and the tl;dr of the eventual defeat was just getting out manned and out produced.
Another phenomenal video. I really hope you will cover some more of the early-mid war campaigns! Would love some more in-depth coverage of the invasions of Norway and France especially.
Logistics, logistics and logistics. The army that had the supplies and reinforcements generally had the advantage. Great episode Jessie and company. IDK if I'd want to intern for you given that outtro. LOL.
My dad was a rat of Tobruk with the Australian 2/2 machine gun battalion ,he mowed down hundreds of them ,he had survived 1003 days in combat during the war he was in it from start to finish
1942: "The entire battle of Gazala and siege of Tobruk cost the Germans around 3,360 casualties (at least according to their records), but this did include 300 officers."
I observe that the (ground) distance between Tripoli (the main supply port) and Tobruk is almost the same distance as between Warsaw and Moscow. The invasion of Soviet Union was accompanied by repair and re-gauge of Soviet railroads over which supplies, reinforcements and replacements could assist further advances. There was no viable railroad from Tripoli so all supplies, etc., had to be moved forward by truck which expended petrol otherwise needed by the front line troops. The invasion of Soviet Union had its share of logistical problems despite the repair and utilization of railroads so I am not surprised that the Axis in North Africa would also have such problems.
Don't forget those supplies had to cross the Mediterranean first before being trucked anywhere. A goodly number still sit on the bottom of the Med today.
@@toms9864 not necesarily. if they had the port facilities (since the Allies had naval superiority, not total control), the Allies could be supplied easier. Not by all that much, but still easier.
I think the myth of the 'Gespenster' Division has been debunked many times in recent years. The 'Ghost Division' nickname was given not by the Allies, but by German high command, namely the headquarters of the 4th German Army to which Rommel's 7th Panzer Division was initially subordinated to. The division earned this nickname because Rommel failed to communicate his intentions and position as the operation progressed through its early stages. The corps and army HQ did not know where the 7th Panzer was for a considerable time, and because it was stretched along a very long axis of advance, couldn't pin-point its exact location, because even the staff of 7th Panzer divisional HQ did not know where Rommel was located, nor where some of its subordinate units were located.
Enigma code breaking is why Rommel lost. The British were able to intercept Rommel's supplies and reinforcements. However the British used Enigma information sparingly so as not to alert Germany their Enigma code had been cracked.
the enigma enabled the British to condect 3 operations that denied Rommel resupply, one a bridge destroyed, another the shooting down of the Giant (pronounced gee ahnt) aircraft full of supplies and the sinking of several transport ships. Explained well in Anthony Brown's book " Bodyguard of Lies". It looks to me that you are very familiar with it.
It was actually Rommel’s intelligence breaking that had brought him so much previous success. In this conflict Rommel lost his signals intelligence capability and wasn’t as effective when he didn’t know what the enemy was doing. Just goes to show how important intelligence gathering is to both sides. However, in this instance Rommel overstretched his logistics too.
From what I learned the British use Enigma information against Rommel only after making a visual sighting. So that the Germans knew they had been spotted and not due to breaking the Enigma code.
Rommel himself said that if he had been given the same number of troops and materials the allies had in Africa he could have taken the entire north African coast in a matter of months. Perhaps the Allies in Africa lucked out that the vast majority of German troops and materials were busy invading the soviet union. While Rommel had to contend himself with 3 divisions in Africa, over 150 German divisions were used to invade the Soviet Union.
The Africa Korps was pretty much the limit of what could be supplied in North Africa. More Tanks for the DAK is beyond the logistical support base the Axis had.
@@Bullet-Tooth-Tony- Exactly. The ports available to the Germans, Tripoli and Benghazi were utterly inadequate at handling large supplies being offloaded. Not that it mattered since the RN was excellent at sending much of the Italian merchant marine to the bottom of the Med. Oddly enough much of the Italian merchant marine losses were due to Ultra decrypts. Even the hapless Italians correctly deduced the German Enigma system was compromised since all too often when Italian merchant ship routes and schedules were transmitted over Enigma the RN intervened. The Italians warned the Germans but a combination of German arrogance regarding their vaunted Enigma machine and their belief that Italian treachery was the cause for the merchant losses made them not investigate the matter further.
My grandfather was part of the British force in North Africa. I never met him as he died when my mum was 17. After my grandmother died we found a box full of grandads letters and mementos from the war. There was a crudely drawn map showing the German line and the minefields (he had written “Jerry’s” with a pencil). When I opened the folded paper map it fell apart in my hands. I guess my grandad was the last person who had looked at that map until his grandson 80 years later
This documentary is awesome . I love these videos. Brilliant doc. Real time history is one of my fav channels also jesse . Love from Sri Lanka ❤️.🇱🇰🤝🏴🔥
1:25 - pretty sure the Gespensterdivision name came from OKH, because Rommel led the 7th like it was a Company and he was 40km from his divisional radio for around 24hrs after breaching the Maginot Line, without orders or update. Sure the French couldn’t find him, but neither could von Rundstedt’s staff. Hence why when Rommell was assigned to Africa it was “impossible” for him to take 7th due to their importance in Barbarossa, despite this Division originally being given to Rommel in the Battle for France because they were understrength. Once more Rommel had understrength units in Africa and less popular officers under his command, who earned some outstanding victories.
My 8th Army Veteran Grandfather told me he didn’t know why he bothered fighting away for 6yrs When looking at the country in the late 80s I’m just glad he’s not here now ! Rip Grandad
My grandfather fought under Rommel in El Alamein as an Italian soldier. He says Rommel gave them the order to fight to the last man and retreated to Tunisia. So if Rommel disobeyed orders to fight to the last man, he sure did give that order to at least some of the Italians. My grandfather was captured and put in a POW camp for the rest of the war where he said he ate better than under the Italian army. So here we can see some ethnic bias from Rommel and severe logistical problems.
Actually the Italian part of Rommel's army was ordered to stood their ground and allow the germans to retreat since there weren't enough trucks to carry both and the british forces were pressing hard on the axis lines. That's why majority of the german troops mamage to escape but only few italian units were able to retreat usually woth great losses.
Rommel was sent there too bail Italy out, it only makes sense the Italians would be the last to pull back. Just like the french did for the Brits at Dunkirk.
Obviously a Wehraboo. By the time Rommel set to work the British Army in North Africa had driven hundreds of miles, had worn out equipment and tired troops. Then Churchill intervened and bled off troops sent to Greece. Rommel did what any competent General would do, he harried a hapless enemy and nearly succeeded. I'm guessing you play video games and don't believe "off-board" play such as destroying supplies is fair. Only big tanks and big guns count.
The same is true for the whole axis powers once the giant of the West entered into war mode the axis had little hope of winning the war with the limited resources at their disposal
@@photoisca7386 Rommel did exactly what he was told NOT TO DO, go on the offensive. It takes enormous resources, and almost nothing to just defend against an eviscerated British Army with worn-out equipment and exhausted troops. All the supplies that went to his glorious advance and heroic retreat, and heroic advance, did not go to the important front, the East. "It is magnificent, but it is not war".
The British focus on North Africa was about more than just Churchill's political survival. At the time, and until the Americans arrived in Operation Torch, the region was the only theatre of war where Britain and the Commonwealth & Empire troops and allies were in direct conflict with German & Italian forces. Also, it was imperative to keep the Suez Canal open as a route to India and the Far East and to keep the Germans out of the Middle East and its oil fields.
@@dovetonsturdee7033 You're correct in part. But after coming round the Cape, or from Australia, NZ or India, they came through the canal to get to Alexandria. That's how my Dad got from the UK to join the 8th Army.
Not exactly true. The Bruits got their first Lanks in 1942 and were widening the air war. This is much more important than commonly recognized. The air war is a major reason that over half of German war output was committed to the Western Front, denying the Ostheer the supplies they needed.
There is a book titled "A man called Intrepid" which accurately details much about the clandestine warfare of the Second World War and the part a single individual played in them. Among other things detailed are the German involvement in Stalin's purges which greatly disadvantaged the Soviets in Operation Barbarossa, but also the North African campaign. It turns out that Rommel became aware of and intercepted clear transmissions by an American diplomat in Cairo that gave him enormous intelligence information about allied plans and dispositions. If I recall correctly, this was exposed through Ultra intercepts (but can't be sure) and once the leak was plugged, Rommel suffered defeat after defeat and ultimately the Germans and Italians were pushed out of the North African theatre. It could well be inferred that Rommel's successes and reputation are built on simply having an intelligence advantage. The book was written by William Stevenson and is a fascinating read.
One of my uncles was fighting in Rommels troops. He told me, when he was shipped over to North-Africa, there where three ships in the convoy. The first two ships were downed by the british bombers ... only the third ship - on which he was - came through.
A British Prisoner of War Desmond Young wrote Rommel's biography in the early 1950's. He interviewed a range of people including officers who served with Rommel in Africa, his wife, son and those who tried to get him involved in the plot against Hitler. Samuel Mitchum wrote another book called Rommel's Desert War which goes into great detail about the material strength of the German and Italian forces in Africa and includes excerpts from his clashes with Goering and Hitler over strategy in North Africa. No disrespect intended here, but this is ground well covered.
It's a super wonderful historical coverage episode about Africa Corp.. and famous General Rommel existed in North Africa... introduced the majority of reasons that defeated African Corp for reaching Alexandra's by this remarkable episode...thank you ( Real Time history) channel for sharing .I appreciate your work hard 👍🏻
Quick summary for you: Rommel wasn't properly supplied. Barbarossa took priority and eventually the German forces were just out-manned and out-gunned. The excellent Stuart and (arguably less excellent, but still superior to all other tanks on the field) M3 medium tanks were more than the battered German tanks could handle. Combine all that with the infrastructure damage caused by the Desert Rat raids, and you have a failing German/Italian army.
It shows how important training your troops well is, yes they need to be tough etc. but they also need to report medical problems so they can be treated/helped before it goes wrong.
I didn't think crusader tanks were used in operation compass against the Italians in the early days of the north African campaign. I thought it was mostly Matilda's and earlier cruiser tank models.
Correct. The British used Matilda II infantry tanks, and A9, A10, A13 cruisers, together with Light tankis, Mk VIs. Crusaders first appeared during Operation Battleaxe.
Curiously the video fails to mention among the reasons to help Italy in North Africa was that occupation of the British held territories would have put Germany much closer to the oil reserves in the Middle East at a time when they /really/ needed fuel. Regarding the logistic issue, quoted from my MA dissertation: 'It might be assumed that having been ably assisted in their Libyan endeavours by the Germans that the Italians would have done all they could to assist their ally, however despite suffering little in lost capacity to Allied bombing they failed to supply their German allies adequately in North Africa.[1] Evans noted that in October 1942 Rommel remonstrated with Mussolini regarding supplies, warning that failure to meet minimum requirements would lose the campaign; Harvey's figures indicate this requirement was never met.[2] Therefore endemic organisational failures in the Fascist regime failing to supply the Afrika Korps were as much to blame for their defeat as any failure in distribution of such supplies as did arrive.[3] [1] Stephen Harvey, ‘The Italian War Effort And The Strategic Bombing Of Italy’, History, 70, no. 228 (February 1985), p. 35, pp. 34-36. [2] Bryn Evans, The Decisive Campaigns of the Desert Air Force 1942-1945, Kindle locs. 1060-1061; cf. Harvey, ‘Italian War Effort’, p. 35 At the end of 1942 the Italian merchant fleet cargo capacity was 1,794,963 tonnes, capacity of Libyan ports was over 120,000 tonnes a month. Yet in July only 97,794 tonnes had been despatched and in August 77,134 tonnes. [3] Harvey, ‘The Italian War Effort’, p. 36. ' Therefore Italian military performance was /not/ matched by their merchant marine performance, so while it might be said the Italian /army/ supported the Afrika Korps, the merchant navy certainly did not.
My great-great uncle, Captain Benjamin "Benny" F. Riggs, was shot down over Tunisia on January 19th, 1943. Only 2 members of his crew survived. He flew with the 328th Bomb Squadron, 93rd Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force.
Rommel was sent to North Africa to support the Italians who were performing miserably. They were on the verge of losing and Rommel's marching orders were to support the defense of North Africa. Defense needs to be highlighted because Germany was also actively engaged in Russia and supplies were limited, they estimated not having the resources for to sustain an offensive war in Africa. But once Rommel arrived he saw the true condition of the British and realized he could defeat them even with limited resources. After initial successes the British needed to up-their game, with better discipline and supplies but they also had the German Codes and were able to bomb their lines of supplies before they arrived. The essence of Rommel's genius was his ability to correctly perceptive and assess conditions on the ground, the state of his adversary, and stuck decisively when the opportunity presented itself. Germany lost when they began to order him to achieve goals much further beyond their ability to materially support.
Australians were the first to stop the German tanks at Tobruk. The tanks advanced on the 2/48 lines they were in their foxholes with sheets of tin over the top, as the tanks passed over they flipped the tin off and machine gunned their supporting infantry . Then some of the soldiers that would jump out of their foxhole with a sticky bomb and shove it onto the back of the tanks, disabling them. The Aussies are withdrawn from Tobruk and sent back to El Alamien. Trobruk fell not long after that, though the Germans and Italians were given a mauling. At the second battle for Alamein the 2/48 were given the right flank, Montgomery said if that position fell the battle was lost, so he gave it to the best troops. after three days of fighting the battalion was reduced to only 41 men left standing.
German high command: Don't attack, just do some recon Rommel: *Actually attacks French frontlines in France* *A couple of years later* German high command: Don't attack, just do some recon Rommel: *Actually attacks British frontlines in North Africa*
I think one correction is that when he original came to Africa he didn't push the British back with a small force the italian drops had a corp of 50,000 troops added to their forces that were already larger than the British and a division was removed to Greece from the British side. Keep in mind this British force had already had one of the most impressive victories in modern warfare when their force 5 times smaller than the Italians defeated them, but the fact is they were still smaller than the italian forces in Africa plus a 55,000 troops and of course the push back would occur.
The Afrika Korps and the Italian Fourth Shore armies lost because of logistics. Even in 1940, both Balbo and Graziani told Mussolini that the Italian Libyan army, which vastly outnumbered the British Egyptian army, was neither equipped nor supplied to conquer Egypt. Mussolini didn't care. Putting a huge army in Libya and not equipping or supplying it for action was a complete waste and the eventual arrival of Afrika Korps did not remedy this waste. The Axis logistical chain was brutal: (1) Axis European resource priority, (2) Italian home rail, (3) Italian shipping, (4) British interference, (5) Libyan port bandwidth, (6) Libyan ground transport bandwidth (partly consuming scarce fuel). So even if Rommel went to Hitler to complain about (1), or even if some sort of Malta success operation (never attempted) had eliminated (4), it would not have made a key difference. Air could supplement but air also consumed fuel. Compare Britain in Egypt: (1) Control of the seas, (2) Ample Egyptian port capacity, (3) Developed enough transport network (Egypt is more developed than Libya), (4) Plentiful fuel nearby (in the British Gulf), (5) Better tropical warfare practices by experience including better food and medicine. Plus (6) Fewer competing fronts, indeed the opposite in that Britain had extra troop resources in New Zealand, Australia, India, and Africa available for expeditionary use. No way were the Axis going to overcome that and conquer Egypt particularly past the easily defensible El Alamein pinch point where British supply was efficient and Axis supply painfully stretched. On a map, an advance to El Alamein looks threatening, but the Axis chance to continue to Alexandria was nil. To conquer Egypt the Axis would need to have waged a different war altogether, with a completely different set of priorities, probably including not attacking the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, or Greece and greatly upgraded German and Italian coordination.
Except not attacking Soviet was not an option. Soviets attack on Germans was iminent in July (Marc Solonin). Soviets greatly surpassed in armor ~5x, and in personell ~2…3x. Stalin was absolutely shure of soviet superiority. I believe it was main reason why Stalin "was shure that Germans would not attack".
@@antasosam8486 It was just a hypothetical. My point is that the logistics commitment to invading Egypt was serious in reality, but the Axis did not take it seriously and expected victory in a deprioritized Egypt while expending resources on other priorities.
I agree with everything here except for “British control of the seas” and “Italian shipping”. Italian convoys had a massive success rate into North Africa (over 90% made it), their shipping was not the issue, it was the lack of logistics when they actually arrived to North Africa. The ports were too small and then even when supplies were unloaded they heavily relied on trucks to get things to the front over long distances(as you mentioned.) As for British control of the sea, that heavily undersells the Regia Marina, which, while mostly a fleet in being, was something the British were absolutely wary about and often had to contend with. The central Mediterranean, other than Malta, was firmly in Italian hands from 41-43, and after the Raid on Alexandria, even the Eastern Mediterranean was considered to be under Italian control for several months of the war. Everything else you said I believe is spot on and absolutely correct, just wanted to throw my two cents in though.
After the Brits virtually annihilated the Italian fleet, the Med became a British lake. German supplies were heavily intercepted; the Brits got what they needed, often from India through Egypt.
Rommel only lost the North African Campaign simply because neither Hitler or the OKH had payed nearly any attention to this theatre. To them , the campaign was a sideshow of a sideshow (Balkans Campaign) and only continued it to keep Mussolini happy. Initially Rommel requested three panzer divisions in hopes of conquering Egypt but was told by Hitler that he could only spare one. It also doesn’t help that the division was poorly supplied due to the German supply lines to Africa ran close to Malta, which was a British Royal Navy base. If the German high command chose to focus more on taking Malta that Crete (Which had no strategic value) during the Greece Campaign, the campaign in North Africa would have went a lot smoother.
Rommel lost Africa because after he took Trobuk, Malta was suppose to be conquered but because he was a glory hound he convinced both Hitler and Mussolini to support his drive into Egypt. Later he had the nerve to complain about the lack of supplies that was being interdicted by bases in Malta.
North Africa “A Tactician Dream. A Quartermaster’s Nightmare”. The Allies got the most troops, the most supplies and the most Weapons and Ammunition than Rommel could get there.
Germany: Rommel. Just defend this area. Rommel: How about I defend this area by driving the Brit Bongers all the way out? HR McMaster: Hmmm… I think I will do some of that at 73 Easting but America-style
Sie sind ein wunderbar informativer und unterhaltsamer Lehrer. Neben der wunderbaren Art und Weise, in der Sie Ihre Einsichten erzählen, ist Ihre Exposition strahlend. Ich finde Ihre deutsche Aussprache besonders ansprechend, da Sie sprechen, als wären Sie ein versierter deutscher Bühnenschauspieler.
@@realtimehistory Mein bester Freund war Bayer und sprach mir oft auf seinen Dialekt, besonders wenn er über Berliner sprach! Ich bin mit den Nuancen und Unterschieden im deutschsprachigen Europa bestens vertraut! Sie machen einen tollen Job mit Jesse. Er fühlt sich auch wie jemand, der in der Vergangenheit im Theater aufgetreten ist.
In my youth I paid attention, like most, to weapons, tactics, big battles, and leaders; now in my 60s, I see that strategy and logistics were far more important.
Really interesting episode, although having heard the story of the Desert Fox several times, this still manages to bring some new perspectives and angles to the African campaign. Really another great example of a commander who were limited by the circumstances, imagine if Rommel got all the supplies he needed and more, one man can definitely change history!
The British were very careful not to stretch their supply lines, preferring to sacrifice the tactical gains from moving forward fast in favour of the strategic gains from shoring up solid logistics. The brilliant tactician (Rommel) lost to the brilliant logistician (Montgomery). As the saying goes, “the pen is mightier than the sword”.
Not really the daft troll Bernard ignored opening up Antwerp 1st.Then later bitched he couldn't get all he wanted - all after it failed and he never showed up of course
Big wooden! We're have you been ? But Montgomery did take Antwerp! He also took the Sheldt with British commandos and Canadians! Once Montgomery had supplies there was no stopping him ! Odd that they blame Montgomery for not taking Antwerp earlier ? But completely ignore Patton's failure to take 2 French deep water ports? Odd
The British contributed little to the allied successes in North Africa. The Australian’s tenacious defense of Tobruk and the arrival of the U.S. doomed Germany.
@@CncrndCtzn And they came out of a sense of duty to help Britain, their mother country, who by far contributed the most in terms of logistics, materials, men as well as a sustained campaign between 1940 and end of 1942, not just in individual battles. You can Britbash all you like, but it won’t change the facts.
I can summarize. Because he chased glory through victory not victory itself. Because he wouldn't attack unless victory was absolutely certain. His entire life was one big press conference
Only reason Rommel lost wasn't his tactics it was his lack of logistics. His supply convoys lost too much to allow him to use his tactics and have enough men and material to be effective. Barbarossa sapped any chance of the Africa corps being able to win in Africa
Logistics was a big reason but it wasn't the only reason. As about the 3/4 of all supplies were meant to go to Axis forces in Africa got there. Rommel had a major advantage early on due to intelligence failures on the part of the Allies, as a result he was able to know exactly where enemy positions were so he could employ tactics to outflank and outmanoeuvre; something any competent commander would do. Tactical blunders on the part of the Allies didn't help either. Whenever Rommel was forced into a fight where he couldn't outflank or outmanoeuvre, his forces would suffer heavy casualties and/or outright defeat. This happened as early as 1941 with the Siege of Tobruk and Operation Crusader.
The soldiers that really gave Rommel the defeat were Australians, New Zealanders, South Africans, Free French, Greeks, Indian and Africans yet the selfish Brits claimed the Victory, Note how little mention is made of those allies. It was only after the USA entered the war that the tide turned, Also bear in mind the Brits contributed less than 10% to the defeat of Germany, yet make the biggest noise about it
It was only after the USA entered the war that the tide turned, Also bear in mind the Brits contributed less than 10% to the defeat of Germany, yet make the biggest noise about it...HAHAHA absolute drivel.
As a teen in the 1990s, I got to talk to an American veteran who fought in North Africa against Rommel's forces. He had an extremely high opinion of Rommel and thought he was Germany's best commander in the war.
The imposal of the Orient Plan on Rommel after the first battle of El Alamein, was the downfall, also, the third rate tanks who the Germans sent to Africa, (until after the defeat at 2nd El Alamein), the broading of the war by Hitler, Italian bad quality, few resources invested by the Axis, etc resulted in an unwinnable war in africa.
Logistics, plain and simple. So many ships were lost trying to resupply him that his loss in the end, was inevitable. Everyone believes that the battles of North Africa were a land war, but in reality it was a naval one.
My dad has always told me that Rommel is the only general he has ever respected. My dad tells me he respects Rommel's ability to fight the war in North Africa with few supplies being able to manage and survive that long in the desert.
Rommel was well supplied from nearby Italy. The British in North Africa, and the British armies in the Middle East, were supplied via the Cape which is the equivalent of sailing half way around the world.
General Patton had a very high respect of rommel... in desert storm in iraq ,ALL American tanks was issued a picture of rommel in their tanks... in west point,field marshall rommel is a required study! RESPECT!!
Let us not forget the contribution of Indian soldiers, which the British 8th army was largely composed of. They would fight from 1939 to 1945, in both North Africa and Italy.
Indeed, let us not forget the Important contribution of India. But let us not exaggerate. Of eleven divisions at 2nd Alamein, seven were British (four of them Armoured) one each were Australian, New Zealand & South African, and one was Indian. Moreover, 4th Indian consisted of apprximately two thirds Indian & Gurkha troops, and one third British.
Due to lack of weapons and ammunition. The Allied blockade in the Mediterranean deprived Rommel of the means to resist. He only had around fifty tanks left to oppose the hundreds of allies!
In North Africa one commander routinely outstripped his supplies driving his troops to exhaustion, often squandering any positive gains that he had made leaving himself open to counterattack. He also kept pushing his forces beyond the operational range of his air power. That commander was Rommel. Strangely a commander many regard as a brilliant general. Then we have one that joined later in North Africa that build up his forces, stock supplies and increased the level of inter-service co-operation. He absorbed an attack in his first encounter with Rommel that he had correctly anticipated and planned for, then winning the battle. He then launched an effective counterattack that kicked off the drive that ended in victory, all the while adjusting his strategy on the fly to maximum effectiveness. That commander was Montgomery.
@@bigwoody4704 Rambo, a quiz. Name the British field marshal who had to take command of two shambolic US armies in the German Bulge attack? 20 points for the correct answer.
if the US was bad, then the British should have stayed home and saved a bunch of Englishmen - after having already using the colonials as sandbags that is. Monty lost a lot. What he won he won with overwhelming superiority in men, materials, and air support. Then barely.. and poorly. Johnnie perhaps when your ankle monitor is removed the staff at the home will take you to a library
@@bigwoody4704 *BZZZZZT!* Wrong answer. Rambo, the name the British field marshal who had to take command of two shambolic US armies in the German Bulge attack, was.... 🍾🍸🎊 *Field Marshal Montgomery* 🍾🍸🎊 Zero points Rambo. Zero. Better luck next time.
Alt History: "Rommel wins in North Africa" November 11, 1942- the Second Battle of El Alamein- General Bernard Montgomery launches a large scale attack on General Erwin Rommel near the coastal city of El Alamein. The attack results in total failure and thousands of British soldiers die. November 15, 1942- the loss at El Alamein forces the USA to postpone Operation Torch and the landings in North Africa. The British people begin considering surrender and Rommel is promoted to Field Marshal. December 27, 1942- Rommel pushes the British and takes over Cairo and the port of Alexandria. Montgomery flees to the Middle East. January 5,1943- Rommel capture the Suez Canal.
If Hitler had allocated 10% of the forces that invaded Russia to Africa then it would have been all over for the British/ SA/ Indian/Free French forces and Egypt would have been lost Huge strategic error from Adolf
and if he allocated all the forces in Africa to the Eastern Front they could have captured Leningrad or Moscow in 1941. Had Mussolini allocated all his forces to Egypt in 1940 then he could have prevented the whole North African theatre. Many such mistakes in hindsight.
If Hitler allocated 10% of the forces of the eastern front to Africa. Germany would have lost more men transiting the Mediterranean than they did in the entire Africa campaign 😂
Don’t forget British had big part of world under them and they used Indian regiments all over the world from Eastern Asia to Northern Africa and as well in Europe for counter offensive along with USA.
@@sangramsinghsamra1812 The wonderful contribution of the Indian armed forces is criminally overlooked. My father, who served with them later in the war, had the highest regard for their fighting qualities. Some English folk remember the wonderful contribution of Indian (and Pakistani) troops. Best wishes
Romel lost because the Allies had deciphered the Enigma code and knew precisely what the Axis plans were, the number of tanks, positions, etc... Without it, the allies would have won the battle in the end (due to more enormous industry, oil supplies, etc). Still, it would take them at least one more year due to Romel using his skills to win a lot of the battles he had lost. It was simply not a fair fight (luckily for us all)
You say that as if Rommel wasn't also getting intelligence on British tactical movements from his signals intercepts and, at least in 1943, on the operational level from decrypted reports to Washington by the American attaché in Cairo.
With the loss of his intelligence means in 1942 of Bonner Fellers and his own signals interception unit, Rommel was then in the dark and had to revert to normal military oversights. He had no more success as he did not know the disposition of British forces in the western desert on the eve of the second battle of El Alemain. Which resulted in a full retreat to Tunisia after heavy fighting and losses for the Africa Korp and eventually to Tunisgrad.
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The British had broken the Italian and German Naval codes used in the Mediterranean and this enabled the Royal Navy to intercept and destroy the supply convoys that Rommel depended on for reinforcements, weapons, amusement, food, and fuel.
Without adequate logistical support, Rommels campaign ground to a halt.
Rommel was already worn down from 1941 Rats of Tobruk beating him. disgusting USA even claim they are the reson for his defeat when was defeated before this.
USA known for waiting for other's to wear down a enemy before finishing it and claiming the win.
That war
WE ARE THE PANZER ELITE
ALWAYS COMPETE
NEVER RETREAT
GHOST DIVISION
LIVING OR DEAD
ALWAYS AHEAD
FED BY YOUR DREAD
GHOST DIVISION
- Sabaton.
After the American fiasco in Tunisia in 1943, Rommel was inspecting the American POWs. One of them had a box, inside a cake his mother baked for him. Americans had the logistical power to send a cake from the US to North Africa. According to the legend, Rommel muttered that there was no way Germany could win the war
@idontthinkso2861 well spottet sherlocke 😄
@idontthinkso2861 okay?😆
@idontthinkso2861The true facts. It’s incredible how much of what people think of the war is just regurgitation from the British press of the 1940s.
@idontthinkso2861 Average? With a German corp he drove an entire British Army across Africa and almost off the continent. The British were only able to defeat him with Ultra and American logistics and supply.
@@TDL-xg5nn almost? Rommel was very far away from total victory in Africa.
Rommel would not be able to do anything without Italian logistics and merchant marine.
Rommel was indeed average, as was shown in Normandy.
My Uncle was killed in action at the battle of El Guettar. 9th div, 47th regiment, company B. He was 19 years old. Thank you for your sacrifice Uncle Earl. May you rest in the arms of the Lord of all eternity.
@@gutewasser5900 Patton was right
What Lord?
He died stopping evil scum. May his magnificent soul rest in peace.
He died for our freedoms. It was not in vain
@@TheKeule33 Edgy
The 2 pounder gun used in the Matilda *could* use both armor piercing and high explosive rounds. British quartermasters only issued them armor piercing, though. Because their job was to engage other tanks, so it was felt that giving them a round that couldn't penetrate tank armor was a waste.
Matilda tank crews hated this, because their biggest threat was German antitank guns. Which couldn't be taken out using armor piercing rounds, but were fairly easy to destroy using high explosive rounds
..false , the only anti-tank gun that could penettrate the Matilda A12 was the Flak 88, which far out ranged the 2 pdr that it wouldn't have mattered . British tactical inferiority was due to poor tactics and failure to use combined arms and concentration of force. The British armor, infantry, and artillery would all do their own thing instead of working together. Don't charge anti-tank guns with armor use artillery to suppress it, 2 generations later, the Russians are still making the same mistakes with the same results..
OQF 2pdr guns fired only a solid shot round.
A high explosive round was only developed in 1942, but by October 1942 most Matildas had been lost in action
@@chrisg3517I think there an H E round but it was so bad as to be useless.
2pdr HE would have anemic performance at best anyway. There simply isn't enough volume for sufficient explosive filament.
No. Although a HE shell was available, the bursting charge was so small as to make it almost useless. Actually, the Matilda II was an infantry support, or 'I' tank, rather than a cruiser tank, and the primary role was to operate as part of an Army Tank Brigade in support of infantry, rather than as part of an Armoured Brigade.
In fact, for the 'I' tank role, the Matilda II (CS) tank was better. CS standing for 'close support.' These were armed with three inch howitzers.
When I studied the African campaign some 40 years ago, I had constantly heard about how the Italian units were cowards and lackluster. However, I read one document of an analysis of the Ariete Division's nearly single stand against almost the entire British 8th Army after 2nd El Alamein in order to cover the PAK and XX Corps withdrawal, fighting down to the point where it was assumed the entire division was destroyed (about 4 vehicles, 2 of them tanks, survived and rejoined Rommel west of Benghazi). I had to think, if a single division armed mostly with Semoventi (self-propelled assault guns) and with just 2 companies of M14 tanks (roughly equivalent to the earlier British Cruiser tanks) stood off better than 20:1 odds for almost an entire day, THAT was courageous, not cowardly. My analyses since then have resulted in my view that the primary problem for the RE (Regio Esercito - Royal Army) was 3 fold: 1) Poor Equipment, 2) Poor Leadership, 3) Poor Logistics. There was nothing at all wrong with the Italian soldiers in the field.
Just take in consideration also the Folgore paratroopers division. A desperate resistance in el Qattara depression up to their almost total disappearance
My grandfather said the same thing. The Italians were brave, strong fighters with the command and support lacking.
@@paulmryglod4802 There is a story that says: the italian soldiers were happy to be commanded by Rommel instead of the italian commanders
@@claudiograssi1037 cool to know. Thanks!
one elite division means nothing
Listen.. I've been a fan of Rommel since i was a teenager. I've spent 2 decades reading several books and watching countless videos about his life and military career.
He was an above average commander, able to recognize when oders needed to be disobeyed in order to capitalize on changes happening in real time. His drive through France, his drives through North Africa.. they are undoubtedly impressive.
Its important to note, however, that these impressive drives only occurred against commanders who, often, were unwilling or unable to adapt to a changing battlefield. When he was up against a prepared enemy with competent commanders his successes were greatly diminished.
As others have pointed out, it was in the best interest of Allies (particularly the British) to exaggerate his prowess in order to downplay their own failings and elevate their own victories against him.
Rommel's biggest advantage in North Africa for the largest part of the North African campaign was the information gotten from the interception of the reports filed by US Army Col. Bonner Fellers, the military attache in Cairo. His reports to the US military command were read by Italian and German intelligence and gave them a wealth of tactical and strategic intelligence that greatly influenced Rommel's amazing success. That ended in June-July of 1942 after being discovered by Allied intelligence, with some erroneous information also being distributed. That caused the debacle at Alam el Halfa and led to the British Victory at 2nd Alamein, in spite of Montgomery. Rommel's prescience was more of a result of this information and signals intelligence interception by the organic unit of the Afrika Corps. That drastically was reduced when the unit was virtually wiped out in July of 1942.
Lol he was useless in 1941 and couldn't win against mainly Australian Rats of Tobruk and tried again after knowing those Australian's left to fight Japanese from invading their homeland and you would know this if read his diaries as you so claim.
He was worn down from 1941 and lost a lot of men then and as always USA came in late thinking they did it all when as always someone wears the enemy down before that for them to claim all victory.
"When he was up against a prepared enemy with competent commanders his successes were greatly diminished." - The phrase I often use on this is "Rommel used dash to the wire, its super/not very effective" depending on which commander he was facing at the time. EG in France, super effective, vs the Auk in Operation Crusader, nope.
@@mitchverr9330 I see that you are a man of culture.
I like it lol
@@evananderson1455 Yeah, he is like a pokemon, he had like 2-4 actual tactics and that was it, the main 1 being dash the wire. Whenever he actually had to fight a battle at the level he got promoted to he really couldnt do much more. Very much promoted above his capability imo.
I would just like to say, this is one of the most informative TH-cam channels for history. I was first introduced to this channel watching the 6 hour long franco-prussian war documentary and it's been a rabbit hole ever since. Between the presentation, the host, and the level of knowledge displayed within this channel without a doubt make it the definitive historical TH-cam channel. I cannot thank this channel enough for their unyielding knowledge, and masterful presentation. As a history enthusiast; to watch and be apart of this channel is nothing short of an honor. Thank you for all you do and I always look forward to the next video!
thank you Eric, glad you are on board and I am going to take a screenshot of your praise and send it to the team, they will appreciate it.
@@realtimehistorythank you for continuing this project. I’ll never fully understand why Indy decided to leave but frankly the team has improved the content since his departure.
Of course the opposite is also true. Allied success against Rommel was dependant on Ultra. If you add to the mix all the supplies that Ultra was responsible for sinking in the Mediterranean, Rommel might very well have taken Egypt.
Amen
Without even watching I can tell you it was the allies using the decrypted Enigma machine. They broke the code in 1940. Germany was beaten then!
As an Australian I want to add that the stopping at Tobruk for such a long time basically exhausted the Germans and caused their inevitable defeat from their. We call those troops the Rats of Tobruk, outnumbered and outmanned. They dug in and gave it everything for as long as they could.
Edit: they pulled out eventually, they didn’t lose. Then they went to Australia to stop the Japanese invasion with the rest of our troops, and won there as well.
Don't forget, brother, only America won the war. The fact that everyone was suffering from exhaustion means nothing. When you show up fresh and a limitless military supply of men and equipment. Our men did fantastic I too am a very proud Aussie.
@@markinglese3874 we were the first to stop both the Germans and the Japanese advance. We punch much higher than our weight that’s for sure.
@@陳怡秀-r7y Absolutely we did and still bloody well do too.
@@markinglese3874Oh, I think the Aussies did, too.
Aussies are a hardcore bunch. That’s known
His Afrika Corps was completely abandoned by Hitler and OKH when Operation Barbarossa began. I don't think anyone in Berlin realized how crucial the war in North Africa was to the eventual defeat of Italy in 1943, but they certainly would after Sicily when it was far too late.
Absolutely, and they could have won it quickly if they had sent much more much sooner... also, the Italians could have easily taken Malta in June 1940 and completely dropped the ball amd that would have made it all moot and the campaign would have been much easier.
Late to the party, but spot on. The loss of Africa gave Churchill the edge he needed to convince the Allies to attack the "soft underbelly" (Italy) of the Axis powers. The whole war was a clusterfuck. Generals with the heads up their arses and the politicians 'grandstanding'. The only person who knew what he was doing was Stalin.
Well it isn't so much that Rommel was abandoned as it was that the British were consistently braking the German codes and dispatching the Royal Navy to sink his supply ships. The ULTRA code braking remained a secret until 1974, so historians had to find other explanations for Rommel's poor supply situation.
Agree, Malta was the key to secure supply routes.
@@daveweiss5647 Put on your cap of command, and tell us how easily Malta might have fallen. Go.
I feel you need to acknowledge the strong correlation between Rommel's success and his access to British intelligence. The German's had broken the American codes and were able to monitor reports from the US liaison about British plans. On top of this, Rommel had developed effective signals intelligence and was able to monitor British communication to British units and action the reports faster than the British were themselves. Once these leaks were plugged, denying Rommel access to British intentions, he was far less effective.
Wish I'd read your post before making mine.
Rommel was agreat commander the allied advantages in everything beat him,monty just dithered
Most people tend to perform less effectively without knowing what the enemy is doing.
ULTRA was reading the Wehrmacht's mail on the front in real time. The British weren't comprimised - excuses for Monty not moving. The GIs at the time were not operating anywhere around the 8th Army and didn't know Monty's directives .Look at the massive advantages in men an material. The Afrika Korp had no answer for Complete air supremecy or their own lack of resupply because ULTRA kept the Royal navy and RAF posted on any of their movements and time
The loss of his ability to read US messages was key to his victories and his down fall when he lost that ability.
Rommel was fortunate in the timing of his attacks. When he arrived in Africa in early 1941, a number of British divisions had been withdrawn and sent to shore up Greece. A year later in early 42, troops had been withdrawn and sent to the far east to counter the Japanese advances. Notably a lot of the Australians.. The British also had to deal with other threats in the middle east. Italians in Etheopia, Vichy French in Syria, and pro axis rebels in Iraq. These distractions don't get a lot of attention, but they were all successfully dealt with by the British middle east command.
I would argue the Germans were more distracted than the British, they did have this small country to the east called Russia... Jokes aside, Rommel's only real objective in Africa was to buy time which he did a phenomenal job of, nobody should think of him getting pushed out of Africa as a defeat, he did exactly what he was there to do probably better than any other German officer could have done with the same resources. German command fumbled the Eastern front but Rommel's stalling gave them at least the time to try and win it.
not luck but brilliance of command
justify humiliated defeats for just lucky timing is not appropriate and underestimate great effort of afrika corp
remember that German forces were out gunned and numbered
even Italian forces fighting at its backyard supported German forces in soviet union more than it supported its own troops in Africa or as Mussolini stated " to show fascist solidarity
beside even if Rommel attacks were when his enemies were most vulnerable in timing as you allege initative
The Germans didn't invade Russia until June 1941
@mohamedelghoul4198T here is plenty of luck involved in war, and Churchill stripping Wavell of his strength in 1941 was very lucky for Rommel indeed. Acknowledging that is not a slight against Rommel or the Afrika Korps.
@@mohamedelghoul4198Rommel wasn’t so much brilliant as his opponents were incompetent. Once Montgomery rolled in Rommel had to pack up and call it quits since Monty didn’t fall for the same tricks his predecessor had.
I love your content and presentation, I truly appreciate the hard work y’all put into making these. Please keep producing this excellent work.
There is an interesting article (2010) from the BBC's programme From Our Own Correspondent titled "Lethal landmine legacy from battle of El Alamein." As the title states, even today the effects of the battle are still present. Even today people are maimed and killed by land mines in and around the area of the battlefield called "The Devil's Garden."
Before the war, the local men always walked in front, leading the way. Once the minefields were laid and killed a few men, they made the women walk in front.
South East Asia as well.
Can't we just use those mine proof APV To drive over the mines blowing up the mines or did they forget were they put them all ..... Ok just get 600 pedos and force them to run around areas there could be mines can't use anyone useful for that job 😊
Even now, an average of one farmer a year is killed by WW1 ordnance along the Western Front.
That bit about being outnumbered 20:1 was a contributing factor.
Well, Without even watching I can tell you it was the allies using the decrypted Enigma machine. They broke the code in 1940. Germany was beaten then!
One of the most crucial moments in the North African campaign was the rout and regroup of the British 8th Army. Routed by Rommel and having him on their rears, they were given two weeks to regroup and fortify thanks to the 1st Free French Brigade of General Koenig, which held back 35000 Italians and Germans personally led by Rommel, at Bir Hakeim. The respite the British got allowed them to build effective defenses and it'd allow them to eventually win the Second Battle of El Alamein.
exactly, he could have annihilated the 8th british army if the 1st free french brigade didn't held so long, allowing them to refrom the front. And most impressive is that the first free french brigade escape despite being surrounded and heavy outnumbered. this is one of the most impressive battle of this north african campaing;
But Rommel was already stopped by Auchinleck before Monty, reinforcements and new equipment arrived.
Bir Hakeim was part of the Gazala line defences, not the El Alamein defences.
Bir Hakeim not mentioned is foolish
If %100 of the german troops,fighting on the eastern front, had been in north africa,the glorious german army would have scattered the allied troops to million pieces
My great grandfather (who was also half german/half british and born in germany but emigrated to the UK before the war) served as a tank driver in the desert rats! There's a video of him marching in front of Churchill after El-Alamein!
Can't believe my great-nan threw away his beret after he passed
It probably didn't fit her ? 😂😂😂
That's a killer. I was given a genuine German Pazershrek bazooka, model 1943 with face shield, by a neighbor, when I was 11 years old. My mother hated it, and started her own campaign to get rid of it. She finally cooked up a phony tag sale, with a couple of other things...and my bazooka, for sale. 5 minutes after we opened, a guy driving by slammed on his brakes, jumped out, and rushed over, buying my precious bazooka for $5.00. My mom has passed away, and I am still mad at her for doing that!
@@freemarketjoe9869 That hurts me just reading that
@@freemarketjoe9869I am sorry for your loss.
@@freemarketjoe9869I’m angry at this
The Free French of General Marie-Pierre Koenig were also able to give respite to the allies at El-Alamein, by holding the Axis forces for two weeks at Bir-Hakeim.
@tibsky1396 Yes the FFL put up a brilliant fight there
that's Not True After The Germans Overran The Free French At Bir Hakeim they Inflicted a Heavy Defeat Of the British 8th Army At Gazala and Captured Tobruk within 24hours Capturing Tons Of supplies, Ammunition,Trucks and Fuel, and 33k British POWS, El Alamein Didn't Happen Until Like 5 months after Bir Hakeim and Gazala
@@Bullet-Tooth-Tony- more of a fight they put up for their own country lmao
@@enalb5085not true. They fought as hard as the British and the Russians in the first few months of Barbarossa
@@enalb5085 After the siege of Lille in 1940, the Germans gave the "Honours of War" to the French defenders who held out for multiples days at 1 against 10. This was one of the reasons Operation Dynamo was a strategic success.
I am seriously impressed by your language feel. Perfect beyond belief. You are not like all the others who have only a concept of English, one of 7000 languages in the world. Your German, Italian, french and Japanese is just a joy to listen to. Thank you so much for that.
Without even watching I can tell you it was the allies using the decrypted Enigma machine. They broke the code in 1940. Germany was beaten then!
“Amateurs talk strategy and professionals talk logistics”
Omar Bradley
I think this may have been Napoleon
@@pctindallumw Omar maybe quoted Napoleon and Napoleon quoted Alexander (or his biographer)
We are continue a time honored tradition!-)
@@thomasdoubting I was in the US Army from private to colonel and heard, "company-grade officers talk tactics, field-grade officers talk strategy, and generals talk logistics." I do not know where that came from, but it seems to confirm the time honored tradition.
A local fellow here in Northern Ontario served with the 8th. His only kit was shorts and a great-coat for the cold nights. You might consider doing a thing on Poopski's Private Army.
I've read a few books on this topic. Its absolutely insane what his corps accomplished with what little he had, and the tl;dr of the eventual defeat was just getting out manned and out produced.
His troops probably on meth…. Just a thought
He accomplished nothing. He was a loser, a poor tactician and a fascist pig.
Another phenomenal video. I really hope you will cover some more of the early-mid war campaigns! Would love some more in-depth coverage of the invasions of Norway and France especially.
It’s actually rubbish. See my comment.
Norway would be amazing!
Logistics, logistics and logistics. The army that had the supplies and reinforcements generally had the advantage. Great episode Jessie and company.
IDK if I'd want to intern for you given that outtro. LOL.
Will watch but beforehand I suspect Shoigu was in charge of the supplies, am I wrong?
My dad was a rat of Tobruk with the Australian 2/2 machine gun battalion ,he mowed down hundreds of them ,he had survived 1003 days in combat during the war he was in it from start to finish
What a legend.
@@chrisrace744if true, hundreds are you certain.
The war lasted six years...... 6 X 365 is a lot more than 1,003 days 🤔
1942:
"The entire battle of Gazala and siege of Tobruk cost the Germans around 3,360 casualties (at least according to their records), but this did include 300 officers."
@@garymoore2535He said 1003 days in combat. You get days off even in a war!
Great documentary, thank you, it was a delight to watch.
I observe that the (ground) distance between Tripoli (the main supply port) and Tobruk is almost the same distance as between Warsaw and Moscow. The invasion of Soviet Union was accompanied by repair and re-gauge of Soviet railroads over which supplies, reinforcements and replacements could assist further advances. There was no viable railroad from Tripoli so all supplies, etc., had to be moved forward by truck which expended petrol otherwise needed by the front line troops. The invasion of Soviet Union had its share of logistical problems despite the repair and utilization of railroads so I am not surprised that the Axis in North Africa would also have such problems.
yes ... a study of both side's logistics shows the accounting side of the Allied victory.
Don't forget those supplies had to cross the Mediterranean first before being trucked anywhere. A goodly number still sit on the bottom of the Med today.
It didn't help that the British controlled the ports mainly tobrok.
When the allies were moving toward Tripoli they would have the same supply problems.
@@toms9864 not necesarily. if they had the port facilities (since the Allies had naval superiority, not total control), the Allies could be supplied easier. Not by all that much, but still easier.
I blame Conrad Von Hotzendorf
It was usually his fault.
@@kristianfischer9814 Not "usually,'' ALWAYS!! It was always his fault!!
Rightfully so! Conrad is always to blame
I think the myth of the 'Gespenster' Division has been debunked many times in recent years. The 'Ghost Division' nickname was given not by the Allies, but by German high command, namely the headquarters of the 4th German Army to which Rommel's 7th Panzer Division was initially subordinated to. The division earned this nickname because Rommel failed to communicate his intentions and position as the operation progressed through its early stages. The corps and army HQ did not know where the 7th Panzer was for a considerable time, and because it was stretched along a very long axis of advance, couldn't pin-point its exact location, because even the staff of 7th Panzer divisional HQ did not know where Rommel was located, nor where some of its subordinate units were located.
Rommel was wary that his communication with Headquarters may have been compromised/monitored by the Allies, thefore he does that as a precaution.
Awesome production. Really informative and specific. Love the quotes. Great narration, too.
0:12 I wonder what the role of the guy on the motorbike was? Seems odd to ride a motorbike on your own through the middle of a tank battle.
Probably a scout, they dismounted during a fight obviously lol
he thought he was fighting ww1
@@jrdsm there were bicycle units in both wars funnily enough. Germans used a lot (I mean a lot) of horses in the Second World War.
Maybe MotCon
He is film crew
Enigma code breaking is why Rommel lost. The British were able to intercept Rommel's supplies and reinforcements. However the British used Enigma information sparingly so as not to alert Germany their Enigma code had been cracked.
That was instrumental to saving Malta which was the key for communications for the British and they used it to attack German supplies
the enigma enabled the British to condect 3 operations that denied Rommel resupply, one a bridge destroyed, another the shooting down of the Giant (pronounced gee ahnt) aircraft full of supplies and the sinking of several transport ships. Explained well in Anthony Brown's book " Bodyguard of Lies". It looks to me that you are very familiar with it.
It was actually Rommel’s intelligence breaking that had brought him so much previous success. In this conflict Rommel lost his signals intelligence capability and wasn’t as effective when he didn’t know what the enemy was doing. Just goes to show how important intelligence gathering is to both sides. However, in this instance Rommel overstretched his logistics too.
From what I learned the British use Enigma information against Rommel only after making a visual sighting. So that the Germans knew they had been spotted and not due to breaking the Enigma code.
Rommel himself said that if he had been given the same number of troops and materials the allies had in Africa he could have taken the entire north African coast in a matter of months. Perhaps the Allies in Africa lucked out that the vast majority of German troops and materials were busy invading the soviet union. While Rommel had to contend himself with 3 divisions in Africa, over 150 German divisions were used to invade the Soviet Union.
How do you supply 150 divisions in the desert with the British navy in your way?
The Africa Korps was pretty much the limit of what could be supplied in North Africa. More Tanks for the DAK is beyond the logistical support base the Axis had.
@@benphillips846 by invading Malta.
The German army used horses. They could have never won
@@Bullet-Tooth-Tony- Exactly. The ports available to the Germans, Tripoli and Benghazi were utterly inadequate at handling large supplies being offloaded. Not that it mattered since the RN was excellent at sending much of the Italian merchant marine to the bottom of the Med. Oddly enough much of the Italian merchant marine losses were due to Ultra decrypts. Even the hapless Italians correctly deduced the German Enigma system was compromised since all too often when Italian merchant ship routes and schedules were transmitted over Enigma the RN intervened. The Italians warned the Germans but a combination of German arrogance regarding their vaunted Enigma machine and their belief that Italian treachery was the cause for the merchant losses made them not investigate the matter further.
Rommel lost through absolutely overwhelming 10 to 1 allied resources, it’s as simple as that.
My grandfather was part of the British force in North Africa. I never met him as he died when my mum was 17. After my grandmother died we found a box full of grandads letters and mementos from the war. There was a crudely drawn map showing the German line and the minefields (he had written “Jerry’s” with a pencil). When I opened the folded paper map it fell apart in my hands. I guess my grandad was the last person who had looked at that map until his grandson 80 years later
Another great installment.
This documentary is awesome . I love these videos. Brilliant doc. Real time history is one of my fav channels also jesse . Love from Sri Lanka ❤️.🇱🇰🤝🏴🔥
🏴🤝🏻🇱🇰
1:25 - pretty sure the Gespensterdivision name came from OKH, because Rommel led the 7th like it was a Company and he was 40km from his divisional radio for around 24hrs after breaching the Maginot Line, without orders or update. Sure the French couldn’t find him, but neither could von Rundstedt’s staff. Hence why when Rommell was assigned to Africa it was “impossible” for him to take 7th due to their importance in Barbarossa, despite this Division originally being given to Rommel in the Battle for France because they were understrength. Once more Rommel had understrength units in Africa and less popular officers under his command, who earned some outstanding victories.
the french called them "la divison fantome", thats where it comes from.
I have aged a year waiting for the commercials so I'll make this short. The allies sunk the ships and they had no supplies.
My 8th Army Veteran Grandfather told me he didn’t know why he bothered fighting away for 6yrs
When looking at the country in the late 80s
I’m just glad he’s not here now !
Rip Grandad
Life would have been unbearable if Germany had won the war.
My grandfather fought under Rommel in El Alamein as an Italian soldier.
He says Rommel gave them the order to fight to the last man and retreated to Tunisia. So if Rommel disobeyed orders to fight to the last man, he sure did give that order to at least some of the Italians. My grandfather was captured and put in a POW camp for the rest of the war where he said he ate better than under the Italian army.
So here we can see some ethnic bias from Rommel and severe logistical problems.
Wouldn't be surprised. His history has been white washed some.
Actually the Italian part of Rommel's army was ordered to stood their ground and allow the germans to retreat since there weren't enough trucks to carry both and the british forces were pressing hard on the axis lines.
That's why majority of the german troops mamage to escape but only few italian units were able to retreat usually woth great losses.
Rommel was sent there too bail Italy out, it only makes sense the Italians would be the last to pull back. Just like the french did for the Brits at Dunkirk.
Rommel didn't have the resources the British had in Africa.
Obviously a Wehraboo. By the time Rommel set to work the British Army in North Africa had driven hundreds of miles, had worn out equipment and tired troops. Then Churchill intervened and bled off troops sent to Greece. Rommel did what any competent General would do, he harried a hapless enemy and nearly succeeded. I'm guessing you play video games and don't believe "off-board" play such as destroying supplies is fair. Only big tanks and big guns count.
The same is true for the whole axis powers once the giant of the West entered into war mode the axis had little hope of winning the war with the limited resources at their disposal
@@photoisca7386 A valid argument. The sarcasm at the end was unnecessary and off putting.
@@photoisca7386 Rommel did exactly what he was told NOT TO DO, go on the offensive. It takes enormous resources, and almost nothing to just defend against an eviscerated British Army with worn-out equipment and exhausted troops. All the supplies that went to his glorious advance and heroic retreat, and heroic advance, did not go to the important front, the East. "It is magnificent, but it is not war".
@@photoisca7386you are ignorant and a liar.
The British focus on North Africa was about more than just Churchill's political survival. At the time, and until the Americans arrived in Operation Torch, the region was the only theatre of war where Britain and the Commonwealth & Empire troops and allies were in direct conflict with German & Italian forces. Also, it was imperative to keep the Suez Canal open as a route to India and the Far East and to keep the Germans out of the Middle East and its oil fields.
The British did not use the Suez Canal, except for sending ships to and from the Mediterranean Fleet. They used the longer, safer, Cape route.
@@dovetonsturdee7033 You're correct in part. But after coming round the Cape, or from Australia, NZ or India, they came through the canal to get to Alexandria. That's how my Dad got from the UK to join the 8th Army.
@@davidhyams2769 As I understand it, the ships terminated at Port of Suez, at the southern end of the canal.
Great point. I feel the same way you do on that.
Not exactly true. The Bruits got their first Lanks in 1942 and were widening the air war. This is much more important than commonly recognized. The air war is a major reason that over half of German war output was committed to the Western Front, denying the Ostheer the supplies they needed.
There is a book titled "A man called Intrepid" which accurately details much about the clandestine warfare of the Second World War and the part a single individual played in them. Among other things detailed are the German involvement in Stalin's purges which greatly disadvantaged the Soviets in Operation Barbarossa, but also the North African campaign. It turns out that Rommel became aware of and intercepted clear transmissions by an American diplomat in Cairo that gave him enormous intelligence information about allied plans and dispositions. If I recall correctly, this was exposed through Ultra intercepts (but can't be sure) and once the leak was plugged, Rommel suffered defeat after defeat and ultimately the Germans and Italians were pushed out of the North African theatre. It could well be inferred that Rommel's successes and reputation are built on simply having an intelligence advantage. The book was written by William Stevenson and is a fascinating read.
Congratulations... this is the first documentary in english that gets all the german names right.
The narrator did a brilliant job.
One of my uncles was fighting in Rommels troops. He told me, when he was shipped over to North-Africa, there where three ships in the convoy. The first two ships were downed by the british bombers ... only the third ship - on which he was - came through.
A British Prisoner of War Desmond Young wrote Rommel's biography in the early 1950's. He interviewed a range of people including officers who served with Rommel in Africa, his wife, son and those who tried to get him involved in the plot against Hitler. Samuel Mitchum wrote another book called Rommel's Desert War which goes into great detail about the material strength of the German and Italian forces in Africa and includes excerpts from his clashes with Goering and Hitler over strategy in North Africa.
No disrespect intended here, but this is ground well covered.
Without even watching I can tell you it was the allies using the decrypted Enigma machine. They broke the code in 1940. Germany was beaten then!
It's a super wonderful historical coverage episode about Africa Corp.. and famous General Rommel existed in North Africa... introduced the majority of reasons that defeated African Corp for reaching Alexandra's by this remarkable episode...thank you ( Real Time history) channel for sharing .I appreciate your work hard 👍🏻
Quick summary for you: Rommel wasn't properly supplied. Barbarossa took priority and eventually the German forces were just out-manned and out-gunned.
The excellent Stuart and (arguably less excellent, but still superior to all other tanks on the field) M3 medium tanks were more than the battered German tanks could handle. Combine all that with the infrastructure damage caused by the Desert Rat raids, and you have a failing German/Italian army.
It shows how important training your troops well is, yes they need to be tough etc. but they also need to report medical problems so they can be treated/helped before it goes wrong.
I didn't think crusader tanks were used in operation compass against the Italians in the early days of the north African campaign. I thought it was mostly Matilda's and earlier cruiser tank models.
Correct. The British used Matilda II infantry tanks, and A9, A10, A13 cruisers, together with Light tankis, Mk VIs. Crusaders first appeared during Operation Battleaxe.
Curiously the video fails to mention among the reasons to help Italy in North Africa was that occupation of the British held territories would have put Germany much closer to the oil reserves in the Middle East at a time when they /really/ needed fuel.
Regarding the logistic issue, quoted from my MA dissertation:
'It might be assumed that having been ably assisted in their Libyan endeavours by the Germans that the Italians would have done all they could to assist their ally, however despite suffering little in lost capacity to Allied bombing they failed to supply their German allies adequately in North Africa.[1] Evans noted that in October 1942 Rommel remonstrated with Mussolini regarding supplies, warning that failure to meet minimum requirements would lose the campaign; Harvey's figures indicate this requirement was never met.[2] Therefore endemic organisational failures in the Fascist regime failing to supply the Afrika Korps were as much to blame for their defeat as any failure in distribution of such supplies as did arrive.[3]
[1] Stephen Harvey, ‘The Italian War Effort And The Strategic Bombing Of Italy’, History, 70, no. 228 (February 1985), p. 35, pp. 34-36.
[2] Bryn Evans, The Decisive Campaigns of the Desert Air Force 1942-1945, Kindle locs. 1060-1061; cf. Harvey, ‘Italian War Effort’, p. 35 At the end of 1942 the Italian merchant fleet cargo capacity was 1,794,963 tonnes, capacity of Libyan ports was over 120,000 tonnes a month. Yet in July only 97,794 tonnes had been despatched and in August 77,134 tonnes.
[3] Harvey, ‘The Italian War Effort’, p. 36. '
Therefore Italian military performance was /not/ matched by their merchant marine performance, so while it might be said the Italian /army/ supported the Afrika Korps, the merchant navy certainly did not.
My great-great uncle, Captain Benjamin "Benny" F. Riggs, was shot down over Tunisia on January 19th, 1943. Only 2 members of his crew survived. He flew with the 328th Bomb Squadron, 93rd Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force.
Rommel was sent to North Africa to support the Italians who were performing miserably. They were on the verge of losing and Rommel's marching orders were to support the defense of North Africa. Defense needs to be highlighted because Germany was also actively engaged in Russia and supplies were limited, they estimated not having the resources for to sustain an offensive war in Africa. But once Rommel arrived he saw the true condition of the British and realized he could defeat them even with limited resources. After initial successes the British needed to up-their game, with better discipline and supplies but they also had the German Codes and were able to bomb their lines of supplies before they arrived. The essence of Rommel's genius was his ability to correctly perceptive and assess conditions on the ground, the state of his adversary, and stuck decisively when the opportunity presented itself. Germany lost when they began to order him to achieve goals much further beyond their ability to materially support.
Montgomery always regretted he never got the chance to meet and talk to Rommel..
Australians were the first to stop the German tanks at Tobruk. The tanks advanced on the 2/48 lines they were in their foxholes with sheets of tin over the top, as the tanks passed over they flipped the tin off and machine gunned their supporting infantry . Then some of the soldiers that would jump out of their foxhole with a sticky bomb and shove it onto the back of the tanks, disabling them. The Aussies are withdrawn from Tobruk and sent back to El Alamien. Trobruk fell not long after that, though the Germans and Italians were given a mauling.
At the second battle for Alamein the 2/48 were given the right flank, Montgomery said if that position fell the battle was lost, so he gave it to the best troops. after three days of fighting the battalion was reduced to only 41 men left standing.
What is it with all the North Africa videos all of the sudden? First _The Operations Room,_ then _Kings and Generals_ and now you guys.
Was thinking the same thing, still watched em all tho..
They coordinated lol
I'm subbed to all three of those channels
for us it was mainly based on getting access to the Tiger 131 and the other tanks at the Tank Museum and then we developed a video around that.
@@realtimehistory intreseting
German high command: Don't attack, just do some recon
Rommel: *Actually attacks French frontlines in France*
*A couple of years later*
German high command: Don't attack, just do some recon
Rommel: *Actually attacks British frontlines in North Africa*
really valuable video
Was that the pilot"Marseille" at the beginning Rommel was talking with?
At the 6 second mark,I think it was,absolute legend that guy
Yes that was the Star of Africa
An amazing pilot...
I think one correction is that when he original came to Africa he didn't push the British back with a small force the italian drops had a corp of 50,000 troops added to their forces that were already larger than the British and a division was removed to Greece from the British side. Keep in mind this British force had already had one of the most impressive victories in modern warfare when their force 5 times smaller than the Italians defeated them, but the fact is they were still smaller than the italian forces in Africa plus a 55,000 troops and of course the push back would occur.
The Afrika Korps and the Italian Fourth Shore armies lost because of logistics.
Even in 1940, both Balbo and Graziani told Mussolini that the Italian Libyan army, which vastly outnumbered the British Egyptian army, was neither equipped nor supplied to conquer Egypt. Mussolini didn't care. Putting a huge army in Libya and not equipping or supplying it for action was a complete waste and the eventual arrival of Afrika Korps did not remedy this waste.
The Axis logistical chain was brutal: (1) Axis European resource priority, (2) Italian home rail, (3) Italian shipping, (4) British interference, (5) Libyan port bandwidth, (6) Libyan ground transport bandwidth (partly consuming scarce fuel). So even if Rommel went to Hitler to complain about (1), or even if some sort of Malta success operation (never attempted) had eliminated (4), it would not have made a key difference. Air could supplement but air also consumed fuel.
Compare Britain in Egypt: (1) Control of the seas, (2) Ample Egyptian port capacity, (3) Developed enough transport network (Egypt is more developed than Libya), (4) Plentiful fuel nearby (in the British Gulf), (5) Better tropical warfare practices by experience including better food and medicine. Plus (6) Fewer competing fronts, indeed the opposite in that Britain had extra troop resources in New Zealand, Australia, India, and Africa available for expeditionary use.
No way were the Axis going to overcome that and conquer Egypt particularly past the easily defensible El Alamein pinch point where British supply was efficient and Axis supply painfully stretched. On a map, an advance to El Alamein looks threatening, but the Axis chance to continue to Alexandria was nil. To conquer Egypt the Axis would need to have waged a different war altogether, with a completely different set of priorities, probably including not attacking the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, or Greece and greatly upgraded German and Italian coordination.
Brian, Thank you for saying this and saving me the effort. I agree with you on every point.
Except not attacking Soviet was not an option. Soviets attack on Germans was iminent in July (Marc Solonin). Soviets greatly surpassed in armor ~5x, and in personell ~2…3x. Stalin was absolutely shure of soviet superiority. I believe it was main reason why Stalin "was shure that Germans would not attack".
@@antasosam8486 It was just a hypothetical. My point is that the logistics commitment to invading Egypt was serious in reality, but the Axis did not take it seriously and expected victory in a deprioritized Egypt while expending resources on other priorities.
They lost because USA was no longer reveling (involuntary) British Military plans to Germany
I agree with everything here except for “British control of the seas” and “Italian shipping”. Italian convoys had a massive success rate into North Africa (over 90% made it), their shipping was not the issue, it was the lack of logistics when they actually arrived to North Africa. The ports were too small and then even when supplies were unloaded they heavily relied on trucks to get things to the front over long distances(as you mentioned.) As for British control of the sea, that heavily undersells the Regia Marina, which, while mostly a fleet in being, was something the British were absolutely wary about and often had to contend with. The central Mediterranean, other than Malta, was firmly in Italian hands from 41-43, and after the Raid on Alexandria, even the Eastern Mediterranean was considered to be under Italian control for several months of the war. Everything else you said I believe is spot on and absolutely correct, just wanted to throw my two cents in though.
Well researched and presented documentary. Comprehensive and balanced analysis.
The LAST one was MARVELLOULSY WONDERFUL! The PRECEEDING one, too, was nearly PERFECT! AWESOME performance!
As a direct descendant of the man, I seek out everything I can and when you guys post something it’s a special treat.
I have always admired his tenacity and drive. He was a great leader forced into impossible situations handicapped by Hitlers plans.
goddamn that's cool
Don't believe every you read on the internet, kid. It's amazing how every one of these videos has kids of the historical figures the video covers
This man used Jewish slaves to clear minefields and called them “ mine dogs”..ahhh how proud you should be!!!
After the Brits virtually annihilated the Italian fleet, the Med became a British lake. German supplies were heavily intercepted; the Brits got what they needed, often from India through Egypt.
The reason why Rommel really lost in North Africa is because he didn’t take the ghost division with him
Rommel only lost the North African Campaign simply because neither Hitler or the OKH had payed nearly any attention to this theatre. To them , the campaign was a sideshow of a sideshow (Balkans Campaign) and only continued it to keep Mussolini happy. Initially Rommel requested three panzer divisions in hopes of conquering Egypt but was told by Hitler that he could only spare one. It also doesn’t help that the division was poorly supplied due to the German supply lines to Africa ran close to Malta, which was a British Royal Navy base. If the German high command chose to focus more on taking Malta that Crete (Which had no strategic value) during the Greece Campaign, the campaign in North Africa would have went a lot smoother.
Great video.
Rommel lost Africa because after he took Trobuk, Malta was suppose to be conquered but because he was a glory hound he convinced both Hitler and Mussolini to support his drive into Egypt. Later he had the nerve to complain about the lack of supplies that was being interdicted by bases in Malta.
North Africa
“A Tactician Dream. A Quartermaster’s Nightmare”.
The Allies got the most troops, the most supplies and the most Weapons and Ammunition than Rommel could get there.
Get there the firstest with mostest.
Germany: Rommel. Just defend this area.
Rommel: How about I defend this area by driving the Brit Bongers all the way out?
HR McMaster: Hmmm… I think I will do some of that at 73 Easting but America-style
Sie sind ein wunderbar informativer und unterhaltsamer Lehrer. Neben der wunderbaren Art und Weise, in der Sie Ihre Einsichten erzählen, ist Ihre Exposition strahlend.
Ich finde Ihre deutsche Aussprache besonders ansprechend, da Sie sprechen, als wären Sie ein versierter deutscher Bühnenschauspieler.
vielen Dank, Jesse ist Kanadier, aber spricht fließend Deutsch und lebt in Wien, wir müssen ihm nur manchmal den Wiener Dialekt austreiben ;)
@@realtimehistory Mein bester Freund war Bayer und sprach mir oft auf seinen Dialekt, besonders wenn er über Berliner sprach! Ich bin mit den Nuancen und Unterschieden im deutschsprachigen Europa bestens vertraut! Sie machen einen tollen Job mit Jesse. Er fühlt sich auch wie jemand, der in der Vergangenheit im Theater aufgetreten ist.
Fact after interesting fact. It's not too slow; it's not too fast. I feel richer after having watched -- thank you!
In my youth I paid attention, like most, to weapons, tactics, big battles, and leaders; now in my 60s, I see that strategy and logistics were far more important.
Really interesting episode, although having heard the story of the Desert Fox several times, this still manages to bring some new perspectives and angles to the African campaign.
Really another great example of a commander who were limited by the circumstances, imagine if Rommel got all the supplies he needed and more, one man can definitely change history!
The British were very careful not to stretch their supply lines, preferring to sacrifice the tactical gains from moving forward fast in favour of the strategic gains from shoring up solid logistics.
The brilliant tactician (Rommel) lost to the brilliant logistician (Montgomery).
As the saying goes, “the pen is mightier than the sword”.
beautifully said
Not really the daft troll Bernard ignored opening up Antwerp 1st.Then later bitched he couldn't get all he wanted - all after it failed and he never showed up of course
Big wooden! We're have you been ? But Montgomery did take Antwerp! He also took the Sheldt with British commandos and Canadians! Once Montgomery had supplies there was no stopping him ! Odd that they blame Montgomery for not taking Antwerp earlier ? But completely ignore Patton's failure to take 2 French deep water ports? Odd
The British contributed little to the allied successes in North Africa. The Australian’s tenacious defense of Tobruk and the arrival of the U.S. doomed Germany.
@@CncrndCtzn And they came out of a sense of duty to help Britain, their mother country, who by far contributed the most in terms of logistics, materials, men as well as a sustained campaign between 1940 and end of 1942, not just in individual battles.
You can Britbash all you like, but it won’t change the facts.
Very intetesting info. My father was 1 of the South Africans in North Africa and Italy.
I can summarize.
Because he chased glory through victory not victory itself. Because he wouldn't attack unless victory was absolutely certain. His entire life was one big press conference
Only reason Rommel lost wasn't his tactics it was his lack of logistics. His supply convoys lost too much to allow him to use his tactics and have enough men and material to be effective. Barbarossa sapped any chance of the Africa corps being able to win in Africa
Logistics was a big reason but it wasn't the only reason. As about the 3/4 of all supplies were meant to go to Axis forces in Africa got there. Rommel had a major advantage early on due to intelligence failures on the part of the Allies, as a result he was able to know exactly where enemy positions were so he could employ tactics to outflank and outmanoeuvre; something any competent commander would do. Tactical blunders on the part of the Allies didn't help either.
Whenever Rommel was forced into a fight where he couldn't outflank or outmanoeuvre, his forces would suffer heavy casualties and/or outright defeat. This happened as early as 1941 with the Siege of Tobruk and Operation Crusader.
The soldiers that really gave Rommel the defeat were Australians, New Zealanders, South Africans, Free French, Greeks, Indian and Africans yet the selfish Brits claimed the Victory, Note how little mention is made of those allies. It was only after the USA entered the war that the tide turned, Also bear in mind the Brits contributed less than 10% to the defeat of Germany, yet make the biggest noise about it
It was only after the USA entered the war that the tide turned, Also bear in mind the Brits contributed less than 10% to the defeat of Germany, yet make the biggest noise about it...HAHAHA absolute drivel.
You gotta be some kind of special idiot to think that.
Don't forget local Arab and Berber tribes that helped give Intel and assistance to the Allies.
@@fenrir7878 hahaha
08:40 Premindra Singh Bhagat VC cleared 15 minefields over a period of 96 hours working from dawn to dusk!
As a teen in the 1990s, I got to talk to an American veteran who fought in North Africa against Rommel's forces. He had an extremely high opinion of Rommel and thought he was Germany's best commander in the war.
amazing content, your style of communication is really engaging - thank you!
The imposal of the Orient Plan on Rommel after the first battle of El Alamein, was the downfall, also, the third rate tanks who the Germans sent to Africa, (until after the defeat at 2nd El Alamein), the broading of the war by Hitler, Italian bad quality, few resources invested by the Axis, etc resulted in an unwinnable war in africa.
Logistics, plain and simple. So many ships were lost trying to resupply him that his loss in the end, was inevitable. Everyone believes that the battles of North Africa were a land war, but in reality it was a naval one.
My dad has always told me that Rommel is the only general he has ever respected. My dad tells me he respects Rommel's ability to fight the war in North Africa with few supplies being able to manage and survive that long in the desert.
Rommel was well supplied from nearby Italy. The British in North Africa, and the British armies in the Middle East, were supplied via the Cape which is the equivalent of sailing half way around the world.
@@johnburns4017between him and Italy was the Royal Navy. It doesn’t matter as much how far it has to go if it doesn’t get sunk no where near as much.
@@connordanby6275
Over 75% of all Axis supplies got through to Africa.
@@johnburns4017 75% of the minimum . they just covered that on this video.
General Patton had a very high respect of rommel... in desert storm in iraq ,ALL American tanks was issued a picture of rommel in their tanks... in west point,field marshall rommel is a required study! RESPECT!!
Let us not forget the contribution of Indian soldiers, which the British 8th army was largely composed of. They would fight from 1939 to 1945, in both North Africa and Italy.
Indeed, let us not forget the Important contribution of India. But let us not exaggerate. Of eleven divisions at 2nd Alamein, seven were British (four of them Armoured) one each were Australian, New Zealand & South African, and one was Indian.
Moreover, 4th Indian consisted of apprximately two thirds Indian & Gurkha troops, and one third British.
Due to lack of weapons and ammunition. The Allied blockade in the Mediterranean deprived Rommel of the means to resist. He only had around fifty tanks left to oppose the hundreds of allies!
In North Africa one commander routinely outstripped his supplies driving his troops to exhaustion, often squandering any positive gains that he had made leaving himself open to counterattack. He also kept pushing his forces beyond the operational range of his air power. That commander was Rommel. Strangely a commander many regard as a brilliant general.
Then we have one that joined later in North Africa that build up his forces, stock supplies and increased the level of inter-service co-operation. He absorbed an attack in his first encounter with Rommel that he had correctly anticipated and planned for, then winning the battle. He then launched an effective counterattack that kicked off the drive that ended in victory, all the while adjusting his strategy on the fly to maximum effectiveness. That commander was Montgomery.
yeah the same brilliant general that had to commit suicide or be shot in the head cause of his blunders lol
Monty was an ankle biter trying to pass himself off as a head hunter
@@bigwoody4704
Rambo, a quiz.
Name the British field marshal who had to take command of two shambolic US armies in the German Bulge attack?
20 points for the correct answer.
if the US was bad, then the British should have stayed home and saved a bunch of Englishmen - after having already using the colonials as sandbags that is. Monty lost a lot. What he won he won with overwhelming superiority in men, materials, and air support. Then barely.. and poorly.
Johnnie perhaps when your ankle monitor is removed the staff at the home will take you to a library
@@bigwoody4704
*BZZZZZT!* Wrong answer.
Rambo, the name the British field marshal who had to take command of two shambolic US armies in the German Bulge attack, was....
🍾🍸🎊 *Field Marshal Montgomery* 🍾🍸🎊
Zero points Rambo. Zero. Better luck next time.
Because he underestimated the British and thought he was too smart. Didnt work out too well for him.
Don't forget 10 th division of indian army (british imperial army) and Gurkha batalian.
Great video!
Alt History: "Rommel wins in North Africa"
November 11, 1942- the Second Battle of El Alamein- General Bernard Montgomery launches a large scale attack on General Erwin Rommel near the coastal city of El Alamein. The attack results in total failure and thousands of British soldiers die.
November 15, 1942- the loss at El Alamein forces the USA to postpone Operation Torch and the landings in North Africa. The British people begin considering surrender and Rommel is promoted to Field Marshal.
December 27, 1942- Rommel pushes the British and takes over Cairo and the port of Alexandria. Montgomery flees to the Middle East.
January 5,1943- Rommel capture the Suez Canal.
If Hitler had allocated 10% of the forces that invaded Russia to Africa then it would have been all over for the British/ SA/ Indian/Free French forces and Egypt would have been lost
Huge strategic error from Adolf
and if he allocated all the forces in Africa to the Eastern Front they could have captured Leningrad or Moscow in 1941.
Had Mussolini allocated all his forces to Egypt in 1940 then he could have prevented the whole North African theatre.
Many such mistakes in hindsight.
If Hitler allocated 10% of the forces of the eastern front to Africa. Germany would have lost more men transiting the Mediterranean than they did in the entire Africa campaign 😂
@@Prediter5657 I think he probably means before March 1943
Don’t forget British had big part of world under them and they used Indian regiments all over the world from Eastern Asia to Northern Africa and as well in Europe for counter offensive along with USA.
@@sangramsinghsamra1812
The wonderful contribution of the Indian armed forces is criminally overlooked.
My father, who served with them later in the war, had the highest regard for their fighting qualities.
Some English folk remember the wonderful contribution of Indian (and Pakistani) troops.
Best wishes
Romel lost because the Allies had deciphered the Enigma code and knew precisely what the Axis plans were, the number of tanks, positions, etc... Without it, the allies would have won the battle in the end (due to more enormous industry, oil supplies, etc). Still, it would take them at least one more year due to Romel using his skills to win a lot of the battles he had lost.
It was simply not a fair fight (luckily for us all)
You say that as if Rommel wasn't also getting intelligence on British tactical movements from his signals intercepts and, at least in 1943, on the operational level from decrypted reports to Washington by the American attaché in Cairo.
With the loss of his intelligence means in 1942 of Bonner Fellers and his own signals interception unit, Rommel was then in the dark and had to revert to normal military oversights. He had no more success as he did not know the disposition of British forces in the western desert on the eve of the second battle of El Alemain. Which resulted in a full retreat to Tunisia after heavy fighting and losses for the Africa Korp and eventually to Tunisgrad.
Why dont you compare the overall supply situation of both sides to give an accurate picture as well as pure personell/equipment numbers?
Thanks for posting.
Logistics, Generals and Mashalls often forget about the importance of Logistics