THE SECRET WAR

Not all the battles was won on the battlefield. The intelligence, diplomacy and the secret operations, played an important role to both sides...

THE SECRET WAR - OPERATION "FLIPPER"

OPERATION "FLIPPER" 14/18 NOV 1941 “It was a brilliant operation and with great audacity” Rommel  Among the troops of the 8th British Army great admiration existed for Rommel and their feats. In only two months, Rommel had radically changed the course of the African war, forcing General Wavell's army, that attacked, to retreat, and to combat in the defensive. Therefore, the General Auchinleck was sent to substitute Wavell. For her time, the General Alan Cunningham, person in charge of driving the general offensive against the German positions on November 18, had the idea of previously eliminating Rommel, by a stealthy and effective ambush. Something very daring, for certain. If we get to eliminate him anyway that it is - he said - we will get the confusion in Afrika Korps. And it was as soon as, disposed to execute the idea, some young officers proposed a reckless action plan. It was known, certainly, that Rommel had his HQ in Sidi Rafa's place, 375 km behind the German lines, and 18 km of the sea. The access to the place was possible by sea or by the parallel highway to the coast. Attacking Sidi rafa the HQ could be destroyed and Rommel killed .