In North Africa... The garrison at Tobruk surrenders. 30,000 prisoners are taken by the Germans, but more importantly the huge storehouse of food and fuel fall into the German hands. More than 3,000,000 rations and 500,000 gallons of gasoline replenish the Afrika Korps meager supplies. Rommel requests and receives permission to continue the drive to Egypt over the objections of Kesselring who wishes to focus German forces on Malta with Operation Hercules.

From Berlin... Hitler promotes General Rommel to Field Marshall in recognition of the successes of the Afrika Korps.

In Washington... Churchill receives the news of the fall of Tobruk while meeting with US President Roosevelt. FDR immediately offers aid and 300 Sherman tanks and 100 self-propelled guns are immediately dispatched to North Africa. The better equipment will make a difference in the British performance at El Amien.