ABSTRACT
After approving Rommel’s decision to break off the Battle of Kasserine on February 22, Kesselring instructed Arnim to apply pressure in the north to enable Rommel to regroup and array his forces against Montgomery. Though Rommel controlled the division and as army group commander was now his immediate superior, Arnim flew to Rome at dawn of the 24th. While Kesselring explained the operation to Comando Supremo, Arnim returned to Tunisia that afternoon to attend a meeting with Messe that Rommel had called. Rommel was flabbergasted by what he termed a “completely unrealistic” concept contrived by the “nincompoops at Comando Supremo.” Rommel said he had every intention of returning to Tunisia. He could at least try to save as many as possible from destruction.
