---
title: Map of WWII North Africa Campaign, 1940-1943
author: Simeon Netchev
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19274/map-of-wwii-north-africa-campaign-1940-1943/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0)
updated: 2026-02-23
---
# Map of WWII North Africa Campaign, 1940-1943
_Authored by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/)_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/19274.png)
## Image Caption
The [North Africa Campaign](https://www.worldhistory.org/collection/270/north-africa-campaign/) (1940–1943) formed a decisive theater of the World [War](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) II (1939–1945), centered on control of the strategic corridor linking the [Mediterranean](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/mediterranean/) Sea to the Suez Canal and the Middle Eastern oil fields. The conflict unfolded during the rule of [Benito Mussolini](https://www.worldhistory.org/Benito_Mussolini/) in [Italy](https://www.worldhistory.org/italy/) (ruled 1922–1943), [Adolf Hitler](https://www.worldhistory.org/Adolf_Hitler/) in Germany (ruled 1933–1945), and Winston Churchill’s premiership in [Britain](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Britain/) (in office 1940–1945). Initially driven by Italian expansion from Libya into [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/) (September 1940), the campaign quickly evolved into a multinational struggle involving German, British Commonwealth, and later United States forces. Beyond territorial control, the campaign shaped Allied grand strategy by safeguarding imperial communications, protecting maritime routes, and preventing Axis access to vital resources.
*[Operation Compass](https://www.worldhistory.org/Operation_Compass/)* (December 1940–February 1941) inflicted severe losses on Italian forces, prompting German intervention under General [Erwin Rommel](https://www.worldhistory.org/Erwin_Rommel/) (1891–1944), whose [Afrika Korps](https://www.worldhistory.org/Afrika_Korps/) restored Axis momentum through mobile desert [warfare](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/). The balance shifted decisively at the [Second Battle of El Alamein](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2519/second-battle-of-el-alamein/) (23 October–11 November 1942), led by General [Bernard Montgomery](https://www.worldhistory.org/Bernard_Montgomery/) (1887–1976), while *[Operation Torch](https://www.worldhistory.org/Operation_Torch/)* (November 1942) opened a western front with Anglo-American landings in Morocco and Algeria. Encircled in Tunisia, Axis forces surrendered in May 1943. The campaign demonstrated the importance of logistics, air superiority, and coalition warfare, and its outcome secured Allied dominance in the Mediterranean, enabling the invasion of [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/) and Italy later that year and marking a turning point in the wider war.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## About the Author
Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history educator, passionate about the human stories that shape the past.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simeon-netchev/)
## External Links
- [Battles and campaigns : World War II, European and African theater ](https://www.loc.gov/item/2011593048/)
- [The struggle for North Africa, 1940-43 | National Army Museum](https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/struggle-north-africa-1940-43)
## Cite This Work
### APA
Netchev, S. (2026, February 23). Map of WWII North Africa Campaign, 1940-1943. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of WWII North Africa Campaign, 1940-1943." *World History Encyclopedia*, February 23, 2026. .
### MLA
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of WWII North Africa Campaign, 1940-1943." *World History Encyclopedia*, 23 Feb 2026, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/ "User Page: Simeon Netchev"), published on 23 February 2026. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.