The fighting in North Africa served to make Erwin Rommel a household name with both the Allies as well as in Germany. It is significant because North Africa is where the Allies learn to fight, and where Germany receives her first defeats. In the earlier fighting when Rommel's Afrika Korps is well supplied, however, Rommel seems unstoppable. This was important because the Allies learn from him, develop better weapons and tactics, and finally achieve victory in Africa and all of Europe.
North Africa also served as an important second battleground, if not a full "second front," diverting key resources from the Stalingrad fighting in Russia.
WHAT TACTICS DID ROMMEL USE?
Erwin Rommel was a master of timing, surprise, and was a terrific leader of men. These traits enabled him to out-wit the better supplied but less experienced British and (later) American forces fighting in Africa. Despite generally inferior equipment in regards to ground forces, particularly early in the campaign, Rommel used the strengths of his equipment to best advantage.
Rommel used his new but far fewer Panzer IV's and murderous 88 mm flak guns to engage the British tanks at long range, and brought the more numerous Pz II and Pz III tanks in to close range under this heavy protection. He would then withdraw under the cover of his 88's, bringing them out of action last. This was possible because of the high level of intense training and strict discipline to which Rommel held his gun crews. They were able to bring their towed flak guns in and out of action within only two to three minutes, faster than the British tanks could (or cared to) close the range on these powerful guns. Also see the Rommel page.
Rommel's first attacks in North Africa.
From Clash of Chariots.
Rommel
attacks into the Gazala area. From Clash of Chariots.
British hesitancy allows Rommel to regroup and
push the British into Egypt. From Clash of Chariots.
Rommel, Erwin - Achtung Panzer!
Clash of Chariots
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by Chris Shimp March 1, 2001