'The Klopper Affair': Anglo-South African Relations and the Surrender of the Tobruk Garrison

Abstract

The loss of the Tobruk garrison in June 1942 proved to be one of the worst military disasters suffered by the British Empire during the Second World War. Following the surrender of Singapore earlier that same year it represented something of a nadir in public confidence about how the war was being conducted. At the same time it also threatened the relationship between Britain and one of its Dominion wartime partners, the Union of South Africa. The considerable military force based at Tobruk had been commanded by a young and relatively inexperienced South African general and included an entire South African division. The decision to surrender these forces—over 30,000 men—after a siege lasting less than 48 hours led to allegations of cowardice and treachery. Winston Churchill meanwhile faced a parliamentary vote of confidence in his leadership. He ultimately had few problems restoring his position and proved adept at resisting calls for a public enquiry. With the subsequent victory at the final battle at E1 Alamein the affair quickly receded from the public attention. During the summer of 1942 the possibility had however existed of a serious and damaging rift developing within the Imperial alliance.