Part 8/13:
As the battles progressed, Rommel faced mounting logistical issues. The loss of Italian supply dumps and the sinking of ships carrying essential cargo left him increasingly vulnerable. His request for reinforcements went unanswered; the Italian supply effort was hampered by only 40,000 tons of the needed 120,000 tons reaching North Africa, with the remainder lost at sea due to British naval action.
Rommel’s decision to continue fighting was increasingly driven by necessity rather than strategic choice. His forces, fatigued and low on fuel, struggled to maintain offensive momentum. The Italians, meanwhile, were exhausted and their units disorganized, undermining German efforts even further.