Desert retreat in a sandstorm

10th April 1941: Confusion and rumours spread while the British retreat back to Egypt - as the pursuing Panzers are heard in the distance

A British Army Bedford truck in the Western Desert.

In North Africa, the tables had turned. After spectacular advances and remarkable successes against the Italian forces that outnumbered them, the British Army now found itself retreating in some disarray. Rommel’s surprise offensive meant two things: a stand would be made at the port of Tobruk, which wa…