On 12 February 1941, General Erwin Rommel arrived in North Africa as the leader of the German Africa Corps. The most celebrated German tanker amongst modern U.S. tankers was actually not a tanker for most of his long career. Before World War II, he was famous for Infantry Attacks.

Rommel came to North Africa under the command of the Italians, but immediately made his mark for his initiative and taking the fight to the British. Rommel went after the force led by British General Richard O'Connor that had made such a feast of the Italian incompetence in Lybia in 1940. Rommel quickly smashed the British force, captured O'Connor and besieged Tobruk. It wouldn't take long until his name would become synonymous with the Axis effort in North Africa.

Motorcycle Ride Recommendation

This is the ride I want to do in Lybia. Burdi (Bardia) to Tubruq (Tobruk).

Book Recommendation: Together We Stand: North Africa 1942-1943, Turning the Tide in the West from AbeBooks.co.uk or Amazon.co.uk

Map Recommendation: Map of Lybia from AbeBooks.com