6. The Siege of Tobruk was a confrontation between Axis and Allied forces
that lasted for 241 days in North Africa .
The siege started on 10 April 1941, when Tobruk was attacked by Italy and
German forces, and continued for 240 days up to 27 November 1941, when it
was relieved by the Allied during Operation Crusader.
More than a year later, in June 1942, Tobruk fell to the Germans after a
long and intensive siege by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel’s tank forces.
Then, in November 1942, Tobruk fell once more to the British and
remained under their control for the rest of the war.
8. Perhaps the most decisive battle in North Africa was the Battle of El-Alamein,
The British outnumbered the Germans two to one, and Rommel, who had
by this time earned the nickname “Desert Fox” for his brilliant surprise
attacks, was away on sick leave when the battle began. As the battle
started, Rommel’s substitute died of a heart attack, and by the time
Rommel arrived, the situation was hopeless.
