Originally Posted by Somalia

Even if it is argued that Rommel overstretched his own supply lines, the same would have happend if he even stayed in Libya because as the Italian and Germans began to lose air cover and control of the Mediterreanian sea he would have slowely depleted his supplies anyways, so his best chance was to rush the British into defeat as early as possible and conclude the operations to gain Egypt before the allies cut him of from the air and sea and the Americans entered; this I think was smart than waiting like Saddam did in the First Persian Gulf war till the allies buildup enough force to easily beat him.