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Originally Posted by AussieNick Not taking Tobruk from the Australians. If they had taken Tobruk, it would have opened the flood gates in the Middle East. From there the Germans would have oil and a new passage to Russia. It could have meant the war went the other way. |
Tobruk fell: I would argue that Rommel was then able to work against OKW orders and press the attack on Alexandria. Had Rommel done what was expected of him, ie. build a better defensive position, no Montgomery victory at El Alamein.
"On May 26, 1942, Rommel renewed the attack, but was blocked by strong resistance and caught between two strongpoints on the Gazala Line. Living up to his nickname of the “Desert Fox,” Rommel wheeled on the British, smashed the defenders of Bir Hacheim, and took Tobruk on June 17. Rommel captured 30,000 defenders and captured the supply dump there."
http://www.worldwar2database.com/html/africa.htm