North Africa Campaign

Collection

Mark Cartwright
by
published on 17 September 2024
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From 1940 to 1943, the desert of North Africa became an important theatre of the Second World War (1939-45) since it was the only place the British Empire, standing alone, could directly fight on land the Axis powers of Germany and Italy.

Italian imperialist ambitions were easily quashed before Germany's Afrika Korps entered the arena as Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) sought to better protect the Mediterranean coast of Europe. Erwin Rommel (1891-1944) pushed the British, British Empire, and Free French troops all the way back to Egypt before Bernard Montgomery (1887-1976) reversed the tide at the Second Battle of El Alamein. The United States army tasted its first action of the war here and helped to deliver the definitive Allied victory in May 1943, a victory that allowed the Allies to invade Italy. In this collection, we examine the major battles, operations, and commanders of the campaign, and look at what life was like for the ordinary soldier in this most unforgiving of environments.

The desert theatre of war was unique for the almost total absence of civilian involvement; who else would choose to be here? The harsh conditions did ensure a certain camaraderie developed as everyone faced the double challenge of surviving the war and whatever the desert could throw at them.

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Questions & Answers

What did the North Africa Campaign do?

The North Africa Campaign involved Allied armies fighting those of Italy and Germany to control the desert of North Africa. Victories were shared by both sides from 1940 to 1943 when the Allies finally won, allowing them to launch an invasion of Italy.

What happened at the end of the North Africa campaign?

The Axis armies were cornered in Tunisia at the end of the North Africa Campaign and surrendered to the Allies in May 1943. Around 250,000 Axis soldiers became prisoners of war.
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About the Author

Mark Cartwright
Mark is a full-time writer, researcher, historian, and editor. Special interests include art, architecture, and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share. He holds an MA in Political Philosophy and is the WHE Publishing Director.

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