Tobruk & Beyond: South Africa’s Desert War

In this episode, we turn our focus to one of the most iconic campaigns of the Second World War—the battle for North Africa. From the strategic significance of the Suez Canal and Middle Eastern oil to the rise and fall of Rommel’s legend, the North African campaign shaped the course of the global conflict in unexpected ways.

We’re joined by Lt. Col. Dr. Jean-Pierre Scherman of the South African National Defence Force—a combat officer, scholar, and friend of the podcast—to walk us through what made the desert war so pivotal. We explore the mobile chaos of the early clashes, the critical role of supply lines, and the unsung story of South Africa’s volunteer soldiers who served far from home.

We also dive into the bitter legacy of the surrender at Tobruk, the mythmaking around commanders like Rommel and Montgomery, and what it all looked like from the ground level.

Expect serious analysis, hard questions, and some reflections on today’s conflicts too.

Jean-Pierre Scherman’s contacts

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/schermanjeanpierre/

X – https://x.com/schermanjp74

LinkedIn – https://za.linkedin.com/in/jean-pierre-scherman

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