PHASE 3: The Counter

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_..._of_El_Alamein

D Plus 3: Monday, October 26, 1942

Rommel returned to North Africa on the evening of the 25th. Rommel was determined to retake the position and moved all the tanks from around Kidney to the battle site. Air and ground power poured into the area as Rommel moved the 21st Panzer and Ariete Armoured Division up from the south along the Rahman Track. That turned out to be a mistake. The British held the position and Rommel's troops could not retire for lack of fuel, and were therefore stuck on open ground at the mercy of air attacks.

On a brighter note for the British, Beaufort torpedo bombers of No.42 /47 Squadron Royal Air Force sank the tanker Proserpina at Tobruk, which was the last hope for resupplying Rommel's thirsty machines.

----------------

Could the oil of Proserpina have helped in any remarkable way Rommel?

__________________

When Rommel's supply system was using between 5 and 10 gallons of gasoline to deliver one to the front the problem was much greater than a matter of a single tanker delivery.