The war in North Africa was conducted under different rules than elsewhere. This excerpt from Hans von Luck's Panzer Commander shows how.

In time, we got to know the names of the commanders of the two British reconnaissance battalions. I, too, was often addressed by prisoners. "You are Major von Luck. We'd have been glad to catch you."

While the Africa Army was putting every effort into fighting an orderly withdrawal action on the coast and then straight across Cyrenaica, we, with our four battalions, were able to operate freely for three weeks unmolested by tank and air attacks.

We quickly developed a certain routine. Toward five o'clock in the afternoon the reconnaissance patrols broke off their operations in order to reach base in good time; in the treeless desert with no landmarks it was impossible to find one's way back to base in the dark. To avoid betraying our position, light signals were used only in an emergency. The two British battalions carried on in the same way, so that from 1700 hours, all reconnaissance and combat activity was suspended, to be resumed again the following morning as soon as it was light.

"We could really agree to a cease-fire with the British from 1700 hours until the next morning," I said, more as a joke, to those around me.

"Why not?" I was supported by Lieutenant Wenzel Luedecke, the reserve officer who had worked at the UFA film studios as an assistant director. "After all," he went on, "the British have a sense of humor. We ought to suggest it to them."

Chance came to our aid. One evening, when all our patrols were back, I received a visit from my intelligence officer.

"The Royal Dragoons are on the radio," he said, "and they would like to speak to you."
"Hallo, Royal Dragoons here. I know it's unusual to make radio contact with you, but Lieutenant Smith and his scouting party have been missing since this evening. Is he with you, and if so how are things with him and his men?"

One of our patrols had indeed managed to take some prisoners. It turned out that they were Lieutenant Smith and his party.

"Yes, he is with us. All of them are unhurt and send greetings to their family and friends." Then came the brainstorm. "Can we call you, too, or the 1 1 th Hussars, if we have anyone missing?"

"Sure, your calls are always welcome."

It was only a matter of days before we had arrived at a "gentlemen's agreement":

• At 1700 hours, precisely, all hostilities would be suspended. We called it "tea time."
• At 1705 hours, we would make open contact with the British, to exchange "news" about prisoners, etc.

In fact, from a distance of about 15 kilometers, we could often see the British get out their Primus stoves and make their tea. The agreement was kept by both sides, until we were forced by events to give up the connection in Tunisia. The prisoners we took often had to stay with us for several days, until the next supply convoy arrived and was able to take them away with it. We gave them whatever we could spare from our rations.  

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites

Comments

Add New Search RSS

Write comment
Name:
Email:	do not Notify:notify:
Website:
Title:
UBBCode:	-color-aquablackbluefuchsiagraygreenlimemaroonnavyolivepurpleredsilvertealwhiteyellow -size-tinysmallmediumlargehuge
Please input the anti-spam code that you can read in the image.

Powered by !JoomlaComment 3.1.1

Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved.