I read in Charles Marshall’s “Discovering the Rommel Murder” (highly recommended, btw) that in the final push on Tobruk, Rommel had aircraft engines with propellors mounted to the backs of tanks to kick up extra dust and intimidate the British into thinking masses of tanks were attacking.
I’m thinking it likely they used semi-obsolete tanks like the PzKpfw II and nearly used-up aircraft engines, like those from Italian aircraft, but of course I’d like pictures of mountings and general set-up.
Any sources, guys? I confess I have just begun to research it!
That’s crazy, but it wouldn’t surprise me. I’ve heard and seen the canvas covers for Kubelwagens that were to make them look like tanks from afar.
Here’s the quote from Marshall’s book:
“In preparation for the battle [Tobruk, circa 20 June 1942], the master of improvisation employed a ruse. To simulate the presence of huge tank forces in the area, the 90th Light Division was equipped with trucks mounted with plane engines with propellers so as to kick up large amounts of dust and suggest the appoach of strong tank forces.” pg 73 of the hardcover edition.
Damn. Just realized they were mounted on trucks. Could SWEAR it said tanks on my first reading! Oh well, another vignette idea down the tubes!
But still a cool idea: an Opel Blitz with the engine from a junked Fiat fighter plane and a wooden propeller… hmmm…
Wouldn’t surprise me at all.
I’m reading an excellent book right now “The Battle of Alamein” by John Bierman and Colin Smith, that is also covering everything leading up to and including the first incursions into North Africa by the Italians, and the rest war in North Africa. When Rommel first landed in Africa, he staged a parade and had the tanks circle around and around to make it look like they were a much larger force than they were. When they moved out a few days later, he had his trucks travel through the desert and arrayed them so they’d throw up the biggest plume of dust possible, again to decieve the British into thinking his force was much larger than it was. [oX)]
The irony, at least with these first ruses, was that the British had pulled out a large number of troops and equipment in order to help the Greeks, who had successfully beaten off the Italian invasion but were now facing Wermacht troops. In fact, the Brits had left only enough troops to deter the Italians from attacking again and Rommels forces could easily have beaten them anyway (which they did).