Medenine - Rommel's last battle in Africa

6th March 1943: A desperate attempt to break up the British Eighth Army's assembly in Tunisia marks the end of German offensive operations

Gurkhas in action with a 6-pdr anti-tank gun, March 1943

The ‘Pheasant’, 17 pounder anti-tank gun, Tunisia, March 1943.

In Tunisia, the ailing Rommel had one last throw of the dice in an attempt to break up the advance of the British 8th Army moving westwards to link up with the US forces and British 1st Army moving east.

Rommel was no longer in sole command of the German forces. His last attack suffered from limited reconnaissance and hasty preparation. It was a fairly desperate measure in any event:

An attack against the Eighth Army at Medenine was bound to be an extremely difficult undertaking, not only because of the great battle experience of Montgomery’s troops, but also because of the nature of the terrain, which offered a very small choice of tactical possibilities - that is unless large quantities of petrol were to be consumed in the approach march. There was little chance of coming upon the enemy at any point where he would not be expecting an attack.