North African Campaign
The battle in the North African desert during World War II from 1940-1943. It is also known as the Desert War.
The fighting in this region began with Italian attacks on British occupied areas. Following the terrible reverses suffered by the Italians, the German Afrika Korps came to their assistance. Following a back-and-forth control of Libya and parts of Egypt, British forces eventually pushed the Axis back to Tunisia. Anglo-American landings in West Africa eventually pincered the Axis forces and drove them out.
During the period from 1940-1943 this was the only theatre in which the Western Allies were able to engage German and Italian ground forces.
On August 4th, Italian forces stationed in Italian East Africa invaded British Somaliland, taking the capital Berbera on the 19th.
The success was short-lived however, as British forces counter-attacked from Sudan in the north and Kenya in the south. The attacks were of great success and resulted in total Italian defeat only 94 days after the initial invasion.
On September 13th, Italian forces stationed in Libya launched a small invasion into British held Egypt and set up defensive forts at Sidi Barrani.
British forces, though greatly outnumbered, launched the counter-attack Operation Compass. It was more successful then planned and resulted in massive amounts of Italian prisoners and the advance of the British army up to El Agheila. This stunning defeat of Italian forces did not go unnoticed and soon the Deutsches Afrikakorps, commanded by Erwin Rommel were sent in to reinforce them.
Although ordered to simply hold the line, Rommel launched an offensive from El Agheila which, with the exception of Tobruk, managed to press the British beyond Salum, effectively putting both sides back at their approximate original positions.
During the following stalemate, the British forces reorganised created the 8th Army. They launched a new offensive and recaptured almost all of the territory recently aquired by Rommel, failing only to take the garrison forces at Bardia and Salum. Once again, the frontline was at El Agheila.
After receiving supplies from Tripoli, Rommel again attacked. This time, his drive was much further and was only stopped by the First Battle of El Alamein.
At this point General Bernard Montgomery took over as commander of British forces 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.
In an attempt to pincer German forces, American forces landed in Vichy-held French North Africa under the assumption that that there would be little to no resistance. Though there was more then anticipated, eventually the French forces agreed to cease armed hostilites and allow Allied forces access to Tunisia.
Though Rommel was now pincered between American and British forces, he did manage to stall the allies with a series of defensive operations, most notably with the Battle of the Kasserine Pass, but he was flanked, outmanned and outgunned. After shattering the Axis defense on the Mareth Line, the allies managed to squeeze Axis forces to a retreat into Sicily.
Conclusion
After victory in the North African Campaign, the stage was set for the Italian Campaign to begin.
See also
Major battles
