ROMMEL, IN HIS OWN WORDS E02 - Taking TOBRUK and moving on EL ALAMEIN, Summer 1942

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Episode 325

Panzerarmee Afrika 18.6.1942

After reaching the areas of Gambut and south of Gambut, parts of the Panzerarmee remained there. Cleaning-up operations netted a further 400 prisoners and a large supply depot.

The ring around fortress Tobruk was closed by an advance on Via Balbia to the north-east of the fortress belt.

The fortress is surrounded, road and railway transport interrupted. 10 tanks have been destroyed, 15 aircraft and numerous other equipment have been captured and 500 prisoners brought in.

Panzerarmee Afrika 19.6.1942

1. Panzerarmee prepares itself, until evening 19.6, for attack on fortress Tobruk. Beginning of attack in early morning hours of 20.6., taking advantage of heavy raids of air force units.

2. The combined reconnaissance forces and one Italian division protect the rear of the Panzerarmee in area Gambut and south-east, and undertake armed reconnaissance in easterly and south-easterly direction.

In the Afternoon the enemy advanced with strong forces via Bir el Gobi northwards.

Panzerarmee Afrika 20.6.1942 (Flash message)

Two-thirds of fortress Tobruk, including harbour, was occupied after severe fighting which lasted from dawn to late evening.

Western part still holds out. Several thousand prisoners, 70 tanks, immense [amount of] equipment.

Panzerarmee Afrika 21.6.1942 (Flash message)

Fortress Tobruk taken. Garrison of 25 000, a number of generals of tank armies. Colossal goods depots of war material. Further reports to follow.

Panzerarmee Afrika 22.6.1942

Early on 20th Panzerarmee Afrika attacked Tobruk from south-east with DAK, supported by half of 90th Light Division on its right, and XX AK on its left. XXI feigned an attack from the west, while one division from X AK, with closely following Panzer corps was intended to occupy the stronghold at the breach.

To protect the southern flank, reconnaissance forces and a division of X AK, as well as Panzerdivision Littorio were deployed in area El Adem. Further reconnaissance forces and 90th Light Division - without 15th Schuetzenbrigade - operated in area Bardia and south of B[ardia].

The air force supported the attacks with heavy bombing raids by bombers and Stukas. After two hours of heavy fighting German divisions succeeded in entering the considerably fortified enemy double bunker lines.

The German attack forces pushed smoothly to the road fork Sidi Mamut by midday (8 km south of Tobruk). 50 enemy tanks were destroyed.

The attack of the XX AK came to a standstill in front of the first bunker line, after crossing the minefield. To prevent further heavy losses, the Panzerarmee Ariete was withdrawn through the penetration sector of the DAK, and immediately deployed north of the bunker line to attack from the west.

DAK reached line Tobruk Harbour - Fort Solaro (5 km south-west of Tobruk) - Fort Pilastrino, after continuing with its afternoon attack. The largest two forts had been taken.

Tank-supported counter-attacks by the enemy were successfully repulsed. Additional tanks were destroyed or captured.

Following the success of the attacks, the rest of the Tobruk garrison surrendered on the morning of 21 June. Negotiations with the enemy were not conducted.

In total the storming of fortress Tobruk netted five generals, among them the commander of the 2nd South African division, 28 000 prisoners; more than 70 tanks were destroyed, 30 tanks handed over undamaged, as well as very large quantities of guns and heavy weapons. Large stocks of supplies and ammunition, as well as petrol depots fell into our hands.

Panzerarmee Afrika 23.6.1942

Enemy withdrew parts of 7th Tank Division, who were still positioned west of Sidi Omar, to a line Maddelene- Scheferzen. Since midday yesterday, the Panzerarmee is preparing to advance against enemy forces on the Egyptian border.

During the attacks on the harbour of Tobruk, German troops of the Panzerarmee sunk one gun boat and 6 small transport ships of 5 200 BRT [Gross registered tons]. They tried to escape with British troops on board. The majority of soldiers were rescued and brought back as prisoners.

The harbour and its installations fell undamaged into German hands. The enemy did not undertake any mine laying operations in the harbour area, and this enabled the troops to begin immediately with transport operations to Tobruk.

Panzerarmee Afrika 24.6.1942

After re-grouping, the Panzerarmee launched extensive attacks against the enemy forces at the Egyptian border in the late afternoon hours of the 23rd. Details about the operations, which carried right through the night, are not yet available.

The number of prisoners from fortress Tobruk has increased to 33 000. Furthermore the already reported figures have been exceeded by a few hundred guns, 20 anti-tank guns, 100 motor cars, 1 large ammunition depot, supplies and petrol; and more than 100 tanks were destroyed.