When it was clear that the attack would fail Rommel resolved to withdraw from the eastern perimeter of Tobruk to allow him to concentrate his strength against the growing threat from XXX Corps to the south.
Da det stod klart at angrebet ville slå fejl, besluttede Rommel at trække sig tilbage fra den østlige side af Tobruk, så han kunne koncentrere sine styrker mod den voksende trussel fra 30. korps sydfra.