History of the Second World War

With Tobruk under siege, Rommel presses for a quick victory while exhausted Axis troops push toward the Egyptian frontier. Australian resistance, supply shortages, and friction within the Axis command frustrate repeated assaults. At sea and in the air, British forces work to disrupt the flow of reinforcements and supplies to North Africa, while changes in RAF leadership and c...

Rommel's first offensive in North Africa sends British forces retreating across Cyrenaica, but the rapid Axis advance brings mounting supply problems. This episode follows the race toward Tobruk, the role of Italian logistics and Luftwaffe support, and Wavell's decision to hold the port with an Australian-led garrison supplied by sea. As German attacks meet determined resista...

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As German forces arrive in North Africa, the situation inherited from Operation Compass and the terrain of Cyrenaica shape the opening of Erwin Rommel's campaign. This episode examines the overstretched British position, the vital role and limitations of Italian forces, and Rommel's first advance from El Agheila toward Mersa el Brega.

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