大象传媒

Message 1 - Rommel's HQ in Tunis

Posted on: 18 December 2005 by Trooper Tom Canning - WW2 Site Helper

Unfortunately the photo of Rommel's HQ in Tunis taken by the RAF in July 1943 - was - as always - too little - and too late.

In the interests of historical accuracy we should point out to future scholars that while this MAY have been Rommel's HQ - at some point
at the time of the photo he was safely esconced back in Weiner Neustadt near Vienna which had been his old academy at one point.

His demise in Africa occurred sfter the Battle of Medenine which was held - nearly all day on March 6th 1943 - he was severely beaten on that day losing many of his tanks from the three panzers divisions with which he thought he might pull off another "Kasserine" which did so much damage to the American 11 Corps.

The Battle of Medenine started just after the sun was rising - as always in the east - the 10th - 15th and 21st Panzer Divisions with the 164th Infantry division and some Italian Divisions,approached the dug in elements of 8th Army, who were waiting with all guns trained on the advancing panzers.We now know that this was the initial baptism of the 17 pounder Anti - tank gun which was so successful both in Italy although short of numbers , and in NW Europe.

By 10.a.m. while giving Monty a "sitrep" Gen Oliver Leese who was GOC 30th Corps, heard Monty say " Ah the Boy Marshal has made a balls of it - I shall write letters to-day" !

Three days later - Rommel was fired by F.M. Kesselring and flew out of Africa on the 9th March 1943 !

He was subsequently given the Northern Italy Command for a time before taking over the "West Wall" of France to prepare for the D Day invasion - as we now know Rommel was seriously wounded by the RAF and was finally killed by order of Hitler for being suspected of having a part in the attempted assasination.

So by the time this RAF photo was taken - Rommel was long gone !

regards