February 6, 1941: Hitler’s Economic War, Rommel in North Africa, and Britain’s Victory in Libya
As the Second World War raged across Europe and North Africa, February 6, 1941, marked a crucial day for military and political developments that would shape the course of the conflict. From Hitler’s economic warfare against Britain to the appointment of General Erwin Rommel in North Africa, and the continued struggles of the Italian Army, the war’s dynamic landscape saw significant shifts on this day.
One of the most consequential moves made by Nazi Germany was Adolf Hitler’s signing of Directive 23, which focused on intensifying the economic war against Britain. The directive emphasized the use of submarine warfare to strangle the British economy by disrupting supply lines and commerce. This strategy was a continuation of Germany’s efforts to weaken Britain’s war effort through the infamous Battle of the Atlantic, where German U-boats hunted Allied convoys. Hitler believed that by crippling Britain’s economy, he could force the island nation to negotiate a peace settlement or, at the very least, weaken its ability to resist German expansion.
Meanwhile, in a critical shift for the North African front, General Erwin Rommel was urgently summoned to Hitler’s headquarters and tasked with leading a newly formed force to aid the struggling Italian Army. The Italians had suffered devastating defeats at the hands of the British Commonwealth forces, who had pushed deep into Libya. Rommel, later known as the “Desert Fox,” was given the mission of reinforcing the Axis position in North Africa, stabilizing the front, and ultimately pushing the Commonwealth forces out of the Cyrenaica region. His arrival would mark the beginning of the famed Afrika Korps’ operations, leading to a series of intense battles in the North African desert.
As Rommel prepared for his new command, British and Australian forces achieved a significant victory by recapturing Benghazi, dealing another blow to the Italian Army. The victory was decisive, resulting in the capture of 40,000 Italian soldiers, including General Annibale Bergonzoli. The defeat was part of a broader collapse of the Italian forces in North Africa, which had seen over 200,000 troops under Marshal Rodolfo Graziani overwhelmed by a much smaller Allied force of about 31,000 soldiers in just three months. The staggering losses exposed the weaknesses of the Italian military and underscored the need for German intervention.
Back in the United States, political developments were also shaping the future of the war. The House of Representatives rejected amendments to the Lend-Lease Act proposed by Republican lawmakers. The Lend-Lease Act, championed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was designed to provide military aid to Allied nations, particularly Britain, without direct American involvement in the conflict. The rejection of the amendments ensured that Britain would continue to receive much-needed supplies and equipment, bolstering its ability to resist the Axis powers.
Another key diplomatic event of the day was the appointment of John Winant as the new American ambassador to Britain. Winant replaced Joseph Kennedy, whose defeatist attitude toward Britain’s chances in the war had strained relations. Unlike his predecessor, Winant was a staunch supporter of the British war effort and quickly developed a close working relationship with Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Interestingly, Winant also had a personal connection to the Churchill family through his romance with Sarah Churchill, the prime minister’s daughter. His tenure as ambassador would play a crucial role in strengthening Anglo-American cooperation in the lead-up to the United States’ eventual entry into the war.
February 6, 1941, was a day of strategic shifts and political maneuvering that would have lasting implications for the war. From the deepening Battle of the Atlantic to the emergence of Rommel as a key figure in North Africa, and the United States’ growing support for Britain, the events of this day set the stage for further clashes in the struggle against the Axis powers.