[tcolvin]

Apologies to Laurent and to all for a senior moment.
For Tunis read Tripoli. (I must have confused the names because Tunis is where von Arnim made his final stand).
Tripoli is where Rommel landed and which Wavell thought he could take as per this cable.

"A.P Wavell to CIGS. 10 February 1941, 1900 hrs.
Extent of Italian defeat at Benghazi makes it seem possible that Tripoli might yield to small force if despatched without undue delay. Am working out commitment involved but hesitate to advance further in view of Balkan situation unless you think capture of Tripoli might have favourable effect on attitude of French North Africa.
Further advance will also involve naval and air commitments and we are already far stretched. Navy would hate having to feed us in Tripoli and Air Force to protect us. On other hand possession of this coast might be useful to both.
Will make plans for capture of Sirte which must be first step; meanwhile cable me most immediate your views as to effect on Weygand and war situation generally. Will probably go Cyrenaica discuss matter with Wilson 12th or 13th February."

Churchill in 1948 said unapologetically; "They said I was wrong to go to Greece in 1940...... They now say that I went to Greece for the wrong reasons. How do they know? The point is that it was worth it". (ie "delayed the German invasion of Russia by six weeks. Vital weeks. So it was worth it. If you back a winner it doesn't really matter much what your reasons were at the time").

Tony