1943.03.11 “African Dodger”
by Norbert B. Quinn (1902-1987)
8 x 11 in., ink on board
Coppola Collection

Born in Medford, MA, and educated at Boston College High School (1920) followed by taking classes at the Museum of Fine Arts school, Quinn was an artist for the Boston Globe for many years. He retired to Maine in 1967.

The campaign of 1943 opened strongly for the German army. Profiting from that temporarily favorable turn, Rommel was set up to utilize his central position between the two converging Allied armies to strike and cripple them separately and successively. If he could neutralize the First Army, he would have both hands free to tackle the Eighth Army, which had become thinned out as its lines of supply had lengthened.

The US, which included a French division, was confident, but at the end of January the Panzers overwhelmed the French garrison before American support could arrive. On Valentine’s Day, 1943, Rommel’s forces made a strong hit on the American forces and destroyed more than 100 tanks. Three days later, the German’s captured a set of American airfields. The tables started to turn thanks to some reserve strength on the side of the Allies, and Rommel broke off his attacks on February 22 and started to withdraw.

On March 6, when Rommel attacked again, his chance of striking with a superior force had vanished. The Allied reinforcements had nearly quadrupled their strength, and Rommel’s attack was brought to a standstill. And by March 17, 1943, the Allied offensive initiated a strong and coordinated attack, now under Patton’s direction.