The North African Campaign June 10,1940 – May 16, 1943

The North African Campaign The Overall Picture Essentially a coastal war, fought with limited resources & troops. Essentially a coastal war, fought with limited resources & troops. Mobility & supply lines crucial. Mobility & supply lines crucial. Main supplies needed: petrol, weapons & ammunition, food & water. Main supplies needed: petrol, weapons & ammunition, food & water. Air power vital. Air power vital. Both sides fought ‘within the rules’. Both sides fought ‘within the rules’. Cult of the ‘personality’ generals. Cult of the ‘personality’ generals.

Strategic Importance Axis powers wanted control of Africa Axis powers wanted control of Africa Strike at the oil fields in Middle East Strike at the oil fields in Middle East Open a second front against the Soviet Union Open a second front against the Soviet Union Allies wanted to stop the Axis advance Allies wanted to stop the Axis advance Pull pressure off of the Soviet Union Pull pressure off of the Soviet Union Allow for the opening of a second Euro. front Allow for the opening of a second Euro. front

Allied Commanders American General Dwight E. Eisenhower American General Dwight E. Eisenhower American General George Patton American General George Patton British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery General EisenhowerGeneral Patton Field Marshal Montgomery

Axis Commander The primary commander of Axis forces in North Africa was Erwin Rommel Rommel was ordered to assist the Italians by Hitler (WWI) Due to his stunning military victories he was given the nickname the “Desert Fox” Killed himself after being implicated in a plot to kill Hitler Even to this day, he is still remembered as one of the greatest generals of all time Field Marshal Erwin Rommel

Armies Primary Allied Forces Primary Allied Forces British 8 th army British 8 th army 6 American divisions 6 American divisions Primary Axis Forces Primary Axis Forces German Afrika Korps German Afrika Korps Miscellaneous Italian forces Miscellaneous Italian forces

Timeline September Italians invade Egypt September Italians invade Egypt February British offensive stops after pushing the Italians back a third of the way into Libya February British offensive stops after pushing the Italians back a third of the way into Libya March Axis forces now under the command of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel counterattack and reach Egypt by April March Axis forces now under the command of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel counterattack and reach Egypt by April November The British 8 th army counterattacks and once again reaches El Agheila by January 1942 November The British 8 th army counterattacks and once again reaches El Agheila by January 1942

Start of North African Campaign Britain -v- Italy Britain -v- Italy Began with Italy’s entry into the war on June 11, Began with Italy’s entry into the war on June 11, Light skirmishes only until September invasion of British-held Egypt. Light skirmishes only until September invasion of British-held Egypt. Oct-Nov: failed Italian invasion of Greece. Oct-Nov: failed Italian invasion of Greece. Dec 1940 to Feb 1941: Operation Compass, British counter-attack forces Italians from Africa & halfway back to Tripoli, the capital of Libya (Italians lose 120,000 men) Dec 1940 to Feb 1941: Operation Compass, British counter-attack forces Italians from Africa & halfway back to Tripoli, the capital of Libya (Italians lose 120,000 men) Jan to Nov 1941: Italian East Africa conquered. Jan to Nov 1941: Italian East Africa conquered.

Allied Retaliation After this, the British forces in the area, although they were 1/6 of the Italians size retaliated against the Italians in Operation Compass After this, the British forces in the area, although they were 1/6 of the Italians size retaliated against the Italians in Operation Compass The British forced the surrender of the entire 10 th army and were able to advance almost a third of the way into Libya The British forced the surrender of the entire 10 th army and were able to advance almost a third of the way into Libya

Timeline January The Axis retaliation forces the British back and the city of Tobruk, a British stronghold is captured on June 21 January The Axis retaliation forces the British back and the city of Tobruk, a British stronghold is captured on June 21 July - The Axis advance on Cairo is stopped at the First Battle of El Alamein July - The Axis advance on Cairo is stopped at the First Battle of El Alamein October – November 4, British forces crush the Germans and Italians at the Second Battle of El Alamein October – November 4, British forces crush the Germans and Italians at the Second Battle of El Alamein November - Operation Torch begins November - Operation Torch begins February Rommel inflicts heavy casualties on the Americans at the Battle of Kasserine Pass February Rommel inflicts heavy casualties on the Americans at the Battle of Kasserine Pass May Axis forces in Tunisia surrender, ending the campaign May Axis forces in Tunisia surrender, ending the campaign

Operation Torch British advancing rapidly against Rommel after the Battle of El Alamein British advancing rapidly against Rommel after the Battle of El Alamein Allies conducted landings on the W. Coast of Africa to surround the Axis Allies conducted landings on the W. Coast of Africa to surround the Axis General Eisenhower was chosen to command the invasion force General Eisenhower was chosen to command the invasion force Casualties were relatively light due to eventual Vichy French defection to the Allies Casualties were relatively light due to eventual Vichy French defection to the Allies

Map of Operation Torch

Victory!! The Germans and Italians in North Africa surrendered on May 13, 1943 resulting in over a quarter of a million Prisoners of War being taken The Germans and Italians in North Africa surrendered on May 13, 1943 resulting in over a quarter of a million Prisoners of War being taken With allied sea and air power only about 600 Axis troops escaped With allied sea and air power only about 600 Axis troops escaped

Why did the Allies win? Brainstorm with a partner(s) why the Allies were able to defeat the Germans and Italians in North Africa. Brainstorm with a partner(s) why the Allies were able to defeat the Germans and Italians in North Africa. Consider the strategies/tactics used, in addition to the conditions/environment in which these battles were being fought. Consider the strategies/tactics used, in addition to the conditions/environment in which these battles were being fought.

The Allies Won Because…. Hitler never considered Africa as more than a sideshow. Rommel never got the supplies or troops he needed (although the Allies kept withdrawing troops at vital times). Hitler never considered Africa as more than a sideshow. Rommel never got the supplies or troops he needed (although the Allies kept withdrawing troops at vital times). Spain stayed neutral: thus British were able to control the western Mediterranean. Spain stayed neutral: thus British were able to control the western Mediterranean. Malta survived: ‘the most bombed place on Earth’. Provided an air & naval base to disrupt Axis air & sea supply lines. Malta survived: ‘the most bombed place on Earth’. Provided an air & naval base to disrupt Axis air & sea supply lines. Italian equipment not up to standard although they fought bravely. Italian equipment not up to standard although they fought bravely. Allied air & naval power. Allied air & naval power. USA’s entry into the war. USA’s entry into the war. Allied numerical superiority. Allied numerical superiority. German codes broken. German codes broken. the little things (food, water, medicine, etc). the little things (food, water, medicine, etc).

Consequences The victory in North Africa resulted in the Suez canal remaining in Allied hands and the oil fields of the Middle East not falling into Axis hands The victory in North Africa resulted in the Suez canal remaining in Allied hands and the oil fields of the Middle East not falling into Axis hands The victory in North Africa allowed for the invasion of Italy which forced the Italian surrender and pulled German troops away from the Eastern front, helping the Soviet’s defense against the Germans The victory in North Africa allowed for the invasion of Italy which forced the Italian surrender and pulled German troops away from the Eastern front, helping the Soviet’s defense against the Germans

Significance? Historians’ differences: Historians’ differences: John Bierman/Colin Smith call it a major ‘turning point’ John Bierman/Colin Smith call it a major ‘turning point’ Russian historians claim it was small compared to the Eastern Front Russian historians claim it was small compared to the Eastern Front Churchill’s view: Churchill’s view: ‘This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is perhaps, the end of the beginning.’ ‘This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is perhaps, the end of the beginning.’ ‘Before Alamein, we never had a victory. After Alamein, we never had a defeat.’ ‘Before Alamein, we never had a victory. After Alamein, we never had a defeat.’