The Germans cut off the supply routes to the British forces in Tobruk on June 17. On June 20, General Erwin RommelΓÇÖs forces launched an offensive against the British there. The town fell to the Germans on June 21, as Rommel led his troops past its fortifications. The Germans took 33,000 Allied prisoners of war and mammoth quantities of foodstuffs. Rommel immediately advanced eastward, in a move that earned HitlerΓÇÖs blessings and the objections of German military men, who believed it jeopardized the neutrality of Malta. Two days later, RommelΓÇÖs forces reached Sidi Barrani, Egypt. In appreciation of his accomplishments in northern Africa, Rommel was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal.
