Libya-Egypt Campaign
The Libya-Egypt Campaign was the primary early theatre of the North African Campaign of World War II.
It was continuous back-and-forth struggle fought by the Allies (primarily the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth troops) and Axis (at first Italy, but soon Germany became the dominant partner).
Pre-War
The British had forces in Egypt as a result of the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty of 1936.
Raids
On June 11th 1940, the day after Italy declared war on the Allies, Italy and the British forces stationed in Egypt began a series of raids on each other. Among the more notable achievements of this were the capture of Fort Capuzzo by the British Army's 11th Hussars and the death of Libyan Governor-General, Marshal Italo Balbo in a friendly fire incident.
Graziani's Axis offensive
Benito Mussolini, anxious to link Libya with Italian East Africa and to capture the Suez Canal and the Arabian oilfields, ordered the invasion of Egypt on August 8th.
On September 13th, 1940, Italian forces under the command of Rodolfo Graziani, numbering five Italian divisions and 200 tanks invaded Egypt from their Libyan base in Cyrenaica. However, because of the chronic shortages and poor leadership their offensive quickly waned, and by September 16th the Italians started entrenching in and around Sidi Barrani.
Wavell's Allied offense
The British Western Desert Force, numbering around 30,000 man launched the counter-attack Operation Compass on December 9th. The Italians were caught completely off-guard, and by December 10 the British had taken more than 20,000 prisoners. The following day, the British then struck against Sollum, then pressed on to capture Bardia and Tobruk. By February the Italians fell back to Beda Fomm where the British successfully encircled them, capturing around 25,000 man, 100 tanks and 1500 vehicles. The remainder of the Italian force retreated to El Agheila by February 9, 1941.
After this disastrous defeat, Hitler ordered German reinforcements to prevent total Italian collapse and sent in the newly formed Deutsches Afrikakorps, commanded by Erwin Rommel.
Rommel's first Axis offense
When Rommel arrived in North Africa, his orders were to assume a defensive posture and hold the frontline. Finding that the British defenses were thin though, he quickly defeated the British forces at El Agheila on March 24th. He then launched an offensive which, by April 15th, had pushed the British back to Salum, capturing all but Tobruk which was encircled and besieged. During this drive, he also managed to capture British generals Richard O'Connor and Sir Philip Neame.
In the stalemate that followed, British forces reorganised and the British Eighth Army was formed.
Auchinleck's Allied offense
The British managed to push back, recapturing all territory gained by Rommel with the exception of garrisons at Bardia and Sallum. The front line was again set at El Agheila.
Rommel's second Axis offense
After being resupplied from Tripoli, Rommel pressed his assault against the British anew. His push was only halted by the First Battle of El Alamein.
Montgomery's Allied offense
General Bernard Montgomery took over as commander in North Africa and after victory in the Second Battle of El Alamein began to the push the Axis forces back, going as far as capturing Tripoli.
Conclusion
With the Axis forces driven out of Libya, they would soon find themselves pincered in the following Tunisia Campaign by American forces to the east.
