General Klopper and Tobruk

Hendrik Klopper - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

General Hendrik Balzaser Klopper DSO (1902-1978) was a South African military commander. He joined the South African Army in 1924. During World War II he commanded an infantry brigade in North Africa, for which he was awarded the DSO[1]and then briefly commanded 2nd South African Infantry Division. As Fortress Commander, Klopper was forced to surrender Tobruk and its garrison to Axis forces on June 21, 1942. He escaped from captivity in 1943 and was officially exonerated for the Tobruk disaster.


'The Klopper Affair': Anglo-South African Relations and the Surrender of the Tobruk Garrison -- Stewart 17 (4): 516 -- Twentieth Century British History

Wonder how much this helped Rommel?

Battle of Gazala

Why did 'Fortress Tobruk' fall so quickly? The initial air onslaught followed by a massive mechanised attack did a great deal of damage in a very short space of time. News of the Afrika Korp's success led to Klopper ordering the destruction of all his signaling equipment in his headquarters. Without this equipment, Klopper could not communicate with his subordinates. The breakdown in the chain of command was an undoubted assist to Rommel's victory.

or this:

Captivity, flight, and survival in ... - Google-teoshaku

 

Tobruk and 1942 and Rommel's success.