Re: Starting to build a tank [TANKS]

[Steve Edwards <sedwards-at-awger.net>]

Steve Tyng wrote:

>I have tactics.  Maybe I'll write a book someday like Rommel, wait a
>
>minute, he lost didn't he?  ;-)
>  
>

Depends on how you define "lost."

Rommel's defeat at El Alamein was more a result of intelligence (the 
British has been reading his mail for weeks, and knew exactly what 
Rommel was doing and where he was doing it) and lack of supply (for all 
it's "noteworthiness," the Afrika Corps was on a shoestring budget and 
most of what little supplies did come their way wound up on the bottom 
of the Mediterranean). Add to that, Monty had something like a 2-4 to 1 
advantage in tanks and artillery when the battle started, plus air 
superiority.

In spite of all this, Rommel held off Monty for four days before retreating.

I don't consider that a loss for Rommel, or a win for Monty -- credit 
goes to the Royal Air Force and Navy, and the code breakers at Bletchley 
Park.

"Rommel... you magnificent bastard... I READ YOUR BOOK!"
                - George C. Scott as Gen. George S. Patton, Jr.

    - Steve "and don't forget Heinz Guderian" Edwards