Germans wrest Tobruk (Libya) from British

The Germans cut off the supply routes to the British forces in Tobruk on June 17. On June 20, General Erwin Rommel´s forces launched an offensive against the British there. The town fell to the Germans on June 21, as Rommel led his troops past its fortifications. The Germans took 33,000 Allied prisoners of war and mammoth quantities of foodstuffs. Rommel immediately advanced eastward, in a move applauded by Hitler. Two days later, Rommel´s forces reached Sidi Barrani, Egypt. In appreciation of his accomplishments in northern Africa, Rommel was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal.