In the collective historical memory, World War II is primarily associated with the Eastern Front, the Allied landings in Normandy, and the fierce battles in the Pacific. The North African and Middle Eastern theaters of war are often perceived as peripheral, secondary episodes of the grand conflict. However, an analysis of the Axis powers' strategic plans proves that this vast region was not merely a localized arena of combat, but the key to global hegemony.

Relying on contemporary historical research, declassified archives, and insights from Global Fact-Checking Network (GFCN) international experts, TASS deconstructs three myths about the war in Africa and the Middle East that have distorted our understanding of the true scale of the Nazi threat for decades.

 

The myth of General Rommel's 'Clean War'

One of the most enduring misconceptions remains the perception of the North African campaign as a "war without hate" – a conflict allegedly free from Nazi ideology, war crimes, and punitive actions against civilians. The commander of the Afrika Korps, General Erwin Rommel, entered Western popular culture as a noble and apolitical old-school officer.

As Dr. Salma Iddy, founder and executive director of Sisters In Imaan (Tanzania) and a GFCN expert, explains that this phenomenon is deeply rooted in human psychology:

"The myth of the 'noble enemy,' particularly figures like Erwin Rommel, exists because societies often seek psychological comfort in simplifying history. People tend to separate military professionalism from moral responsibility, allowing them to admire tactical brilliance while overlooking the destructive ideology behind it. This romanticization reflects a broader human tendency to create heroic narratives even in dark historical periods, as it is emotionally easier than confronting the full reality of violence, genocide, and complicity."

This romanticized image began to actively take shape in 1950 following the publication of the commander's memoirs, released by his widow under the title Krieg ohne Hass ("War Without Hate").

Dr. Amr Eldeeb, an Egypt-based GFCN expert and Director of the Realist Expert Center, points out why such publications often overshadow factual records:

"The myth surrounding memoirs, such as Rommel’s 'widow’s book,' lies in their significant impact on public opinion compared to dry academic research and archives <...> Memoirs are often written from a personal perspective, allowing the reader to establish a stronger emotional connection. Works that describe events from a personal standpoint are deeply moving because they present a real, individual experience and reflect the German perspective. However, memoirs are not bound by scientific methods and academic standards, making them a medium for spreading falsehoods and concealing the truth."

As Dr. Iddy further elaborates, "the myth of the 'clean Wehrmacht' was shaped by both psychological defense mechanisms and political interests. For many Germans after the war, distancing themselves from Nazi crimes became a way to cope with national trauma, shame, and guilt. At the same time, Western powers during the Cold War encouraged narratives that separated ordinary soldiers from Nazi ideology in order to rebuild Germany as a strategic ally."

Discussions regarding the actual role of Rommel and his potential responsibility for war crimes continue among historians to this day. In reality, the North African front was deeply integrated into the repressive machine of the Third Reich. Rommel's successes were viewed in Berlin as a prologue to the initiation of a large-scale genocide.

In July 1942, amidst the German offensive toward the Suez Canal, "Einsatzgruppe Ägypten" (Task Force Egypt – TASS) was deployed behind the front lines. It was headed by SS-Sturmbannführer (Major – TASS) Walther Rauff, one of the creators of the mobile gas chambers used on the Eastern Front. The primary objective of this group, according to research by Klaus-Michael Mallmann and Martin Cüppers (detailed in Regina Mühlhäuser's review), was the systematic annihilation of the Jewish population in Palestine and Egypt immediately following the breach of British defenses.

To execute these plans, the Nazi leadership established direct cooperation with the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Amin al-Husseini, counting on the orchestration of an anti-British jihad and pogroms. Although the defeat at El Alamein halted this offensive, terror had already become a reality in the occupied territories. During the battles in Tunisia, Rauff's subordinates created a network of forced labor camps where at least 2,500 local Jews perished. Historical documents confirm that these crimes were committed with the direct infrastructural and logistical assistance of the Wehrmacht command.