Rommel gets moving

17th February 1941: Expecting the British to attack further into Libya at any moment, the new German commander in Africa transforms the situation

Rommel had already made several personal reconnaissances of the Libyan coastal strip by plane.

Less than a week after arriving in Tripoli, officially in a subordinate role to the Italians, Rommel wasted no time in taking charge. When his 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion arrived by freighter on the 14th February, he insisted that they immediately disembark ov…