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Africa in World War Two - World History Encyclopedia

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North Africa was strategically important during World War II for several key reasons:

1)      The Nazis and Italians sought to control North Africa and dismantle Britain’s control of the region. The Nazis only become involved in 1941 after the Italian forces suffered defeats at the hands of the British.

2)      A victory over Commonwealth forces in Egypt would have given the Axis powers(Germany and Italy, Japan later.) control over the Suez Canal which was the link between Europe and Asia. The canal allowed the British to move troops, supp[lies, and oil from the Middle East and Asia.

3)      Had Egypt been captured this would have given direct access to the oilfields of modern-day Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia, offering the Axis powers unlimited fuel for Planes, tanks, and ships.

4)      If the Commonwealth Forces gained control of North Africa, this allowed them to maintain safe shipping lanes and lead to an invasion of Italy in 1943.

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Commander of the Afrika Korps

1)       Rommel was appointed commander of the Deutscher Afrika Korps (DAK) in February 1941.

2)       Rommel earned the nickname “Desert Fox” due to his tactical brilliance, surprise attacks, and maneuver warfare in the desert.

3)       He became a legendary figure among both Axis and Allied forces for his aggressive and clever strategies.

4)       Rommel's advance into Egypt was halted at the Second Battle of El Alamein (October–November 1942).

5)       After defeats in late 1942 and early 1943, Rommel was recalled to Europe by Hitler.

6)       Known for his courage and humane treatment of prisoners of war. British and Commonwealth troops respected him as a professional and honorable adversary.

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1)      In August 1942, Bernard Montgomery was appointed commander of the British Eighth Army, replacing General Claude Auchinleck. He was given the job to halt the German-Italian advance led by Erwin Rommel.

2)      Montgomery was known for boosting troop morale. He reorganised the Eighth Army’s command structure and focus.

3)      He regularly visited front-line troops, gave inspiring speeches, and was tactically brilliant.

4)      His leadership gave the Allied forces new confidence after months of setbacks.

5)      After defeating Rommel in the second battle of El Alamein, Montgomery led the Commonwealth forces across Libya and into Tunisia. The US forces approached from the West. Eventually the Axis forces were defeated and left North Africa in May 1943.

Winston Churchill stated after the victory in North Africa: "Before Alamein we never had a victory. After Alamein, we never had a defeat."

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Italian forces declared war on the Allies and attacked in September 1940. The Italians reached Sidi Barrani and dug in with 250,000 troops available. On December the 9th and 10th the outnumbered Commonwealth forces pushed the Italians back into Libya and captured Tobruk, some 130,000 prisoners, and by the 7th February, 1941 they had pushed the Italian forces to Beda Fomm in Libya. Adolf Hitler was forced to send German troops to assist his axis powers, bringing Erwin Rommel into North Africa.

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The Battle of Gazala (May–June 1942) was one of the largest and most pivotal battles in the North African campaign of World War II, fought near the Libyan coast west of Tobruk. Led by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, the German Afrika Korps executed a daring flanking maneuver through the desert known as the “Horseshoe” or “Cauldron,” which caught British and Commonwealth forces off guard. Despite fierce resistance, Rommel’s tactics led to a decisive Axis victory, culminating in the capture of Tobruk on 21 June 1942, a major blow to Allied morale and a significant propaganda triumph for the Axis. This victory allowed Axis forces to push deeper into Egypt, threatening the Suez Canal and Middle Eastern oil fields.

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The First Battle of El Alamein (1–27 July 1942) was a crucial turning point in the North African campaign of World War II. British and Commonwealth forces under General Claude Auchinleck successfully halted the advance of General Erwin Rommel’s German-Italian army toward the Suez Canal. Fought in the Egyptian desert near the railway town of El Alamein, the battle prevented Axis forces from capturing Cairo and cutting off Allied access to Middle Eastern oil and Indian Ocean supply routes. The battle, though tactically inconclusive, was strategically significant. It stopped the Axis momentum and provided the Allies with a critical opportunity to regroup and reinforce. The static, attritional nature of the battle underscored the importance of logistics, artillery, and most importantly, defensive positions in desert warfare, highlighting the necessity of strategic planning in war.

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The Second Battle of El Alamein (23 October – 11 November 1942) was a decisive Allied victory and a significant turning point in the North African campaign during World War II. Under the command of General Bernard Montgomery, the British Eighth Army launched an offensive against Erwin Rommel’s German-Italian forces, who had entrenched themselves in strong defensive positions west of El Alamein, Egypt. Following a sustained artillery barrage and a series of infantry and tank assaults, Montgomery’s forces broke through the Axis lines, forcing Rommel into a full retreat across Libya. The battle ended the Axis threat to the Suez Canal and the Middle East oil fields, marking the beginning of a sustained Allied advance in North Africa.

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Qattara Depression - A Natural Defensive Barrier

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Qattara Depression - A Natural Defensive Barrier

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Qattara Depression, arid Libyan Dessert (Eastern Saharan) basin in northwestern Egypt. It covers about 7,000 square miles (18,100 square km) and contains salt lakes and marshes, and it descends to 435 feet (133 metres) below sea level. During World War 2, because it was impassable to military traffic, the depression formed a natural anchor at the southern end of the British defense lines at El-Alamein against the final advance of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel’s German army in July 1942.

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Troops faced intense heat by day, freezing cold at night, and constant exposure to sandstorms, which clogged weapons, engines, and food supplies. Water was strictly rationed, often dirty or a high salt content, and fresh food was rare. The desert terrain made shelter difficult, so soldiers often dug shallow trenches or slept under vehicles. Hygiene was poor, contributing to widespread issues like dysentery and heatstroke. Equipment frequently broke down in the sand, so mechanical skills were essential, especially for tank crews. Despite these conditions, camaraderie among soldiers was strong, and many adapted to the harsh environment with resilience and ingenuity. A number of days were above 40 degrees in temperature, highlighting the horrendous conditions the soldiers encountered.

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Tobruk was a vital strategic location during World War II, especially in the North African campaign, due to its deep-water port, which allowed the resupply of Allied forces closer to the front lines. Located on the Libyan coast, Tobruk enabled the Allies to shorten their supply routes significantly, reducing dependence on long overland transport from Egypt. Its fortified defences, originally built by the Italians, made it an ideal stronghold against Axis advances.

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Casualties- 620,000 Axis troops

220,000 Allied troops

Axis soldiers surrendered - 275,000

Allied Tanks - 1029

Axis Tanks - 540

Victory for the Allies led to an attack on the Italian mainland, opening a second front in Europe.

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Why did the North Africa Campaign Matter in WW2?

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El Alamein 1942 - Rommel Launches His Assault - Animated

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Tobruk, the only deep water port in Eastern Libya, was a crucial strategic asset during World War II. Its deep water port, heavily fortified by its former Italian garrison, was a key point for naval operations. The capture of Tobruk was essential for an advance on Alexandria and Suez, as it would provide a secure base for further operations in the Mediterranean.

In April 1941, German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel made the capture of Tobruk the main objective of his first offensive in North Africa. British troops were forced to retreat several hundred miles across the desert towards Tobruk.

The 9th Australian Division, supported by British tanks and artillery, valiantly repulsed initial German assaults on 10-14 April 1941. Even when the fresh 15th Panzer Division was committed to the attack on 30 April, the defenders, with their unwavering determination, held the port of Tobruk for 242 days. Rommel was quoted as saying: "If I had to take hell, I would use the Australians to take it and the New Zealanders to hold it."