Deleted member 1487
In 1942, Rommel had driven the British out of Libya and Tobruk had fallen. He was eager to invade Egypt, smugly thinking he could take Cairo. But his supply lines were stretched to the limit already, and the invasion saw him beaten at El Alamein. What if instead, he is forced to take a break after Tobruk, as air support and enough supplies are denied him when Hitler finally okays the Operation Herkules? Let's say the invasion succeeds and the island is secured with moderate losses, finally allowing the return of full support to Africa in mid-August. Within months, the airborne units used in the invasion of Malta are brought up to strength and given to him (Ramcke Brigade and Folgore).
What happens in the mean time? Do the British attack or do they recover and wait for Rommel? Now that Malta is secure and all air support is given over to Rommel, does he try to invade Egypt? If so, does the delay give his troops enough of a chance to rest and resupply? Does it delay the fall of North Africa?
What happens in the mean time? Do the British attack or do they recover and wait for Rommel? Now that Malta is secure and all air support is given over to Rommel, does he try to invade Egypt? If so, does the delay give his troops enough of a chance to rest and resupply? Does it delay the fall of North Africa?