Egypt. The Axis advances eastward: amid the notes of General von Bismarck’s Panzer Division’s brass band playing ancient Prussian marches, there are Nehring’s Afrika Korps, the Littorio and Ariete armored divisions, and the Folgore paratroopers with Ramcke’s Green Devils. But shortly after leaving their lines, the Italian bomb disposal experts stumble upon the “devil’s gardens” and must defuse 180,000 mines in a matter of hours. After these delays, the day does not go well: flocks of British bombers pound the positions, Nehring’s tank is hit by a bomb, seriously wounding him, and an artillery shrapnel instantly kills General von Bismarck. When informed of what has happened, Rommel is in a state of crisis and decides to continue the advance with a frontal attack. This decision will prove fatal to the outcome of the battle.
