This map shows some of the major battles and movements of the Ally and Axis armies across Northern Africa.
Before the the start of World War II, multiple nations had control or influence on areas in Africa. Algeria was French colony, Libya was Italian, Gibraltar was a small but important British colony, and Egypt was shared by the United Kingdom and France. Germany and the United States had insignificant influences in Africa at the time. In 1935, Italy invaded and conquered Ethiopia.
This map shows which areas of Northern Africa was controlled by which nations.
When Italy and Great Britain declared war on each other, small skirmishes took place on the border of Libya and Egypt. In September 1940, Italian forces invaded Egypt. After the Fall of France, the Allies saw North Africa as an entry into the invasion of the Axis. The Axis saw it as a way to get valuable resources from the Suez Canal and the Middle East, such as oil. Both sides saw the positive impacts of North Africa, and so fighting increased in the region.
A German tank battling in the desert during the Western Camaign.
The Western Campaign
The Western Campaign took place in Libya and Egypt, right after the Italian invasion of Egypt. In December 1940, British forces were able to push the Italians out of Egypt. The Italians would be defeated at Tobruk in Libya on January 22, 1941. German General Erwin Rommel would be sent in as support to take command of the Italian Corps on February 12. On March 21, Rommel and his forces led an aggressive attack on Egypt. There would be no progress in the Campaign until November. Slowly, the British reorganized their army and gathered more troops from their other colonies. Their operation to push back the Axis became known as Operation Crusader. Fighting continued, until finally on January 6, 1942, Rommel pulled his army back.
The Italians and Germans continued fighting for control of Egypt, while the British maintained their ground. Soon, Bernard Montgomery would be appointed as the Eight Army Commander. On August 30, 1942, the Axis attempted one final push in the Western Campaign. However, the arrival of US troops and supplies shifted the balance. At the Battle of Alam el Hafa and El Alamein, the Axis took heavy losses by Montgomery's forces. Rommel would abandon Tripoli, the capital of Libya, and the entire land to the Allies.
The Western Campaign took place in Libya and Egypt, right after the Italian invasion of Egypt. In December 1940, British forces were able to push the Italians out of Egypt. The Italians would be defeated at Tobruk in Libya on January 22, 1941. German General Erwin Rommel would be sent in as support to take command of the Italian Corps on February 12. On March 21, Rommel and his forces led an aggressive attack on Egypt. There would be no progress in the Campaign until November. Slowly, the British reorganized their army and gathered more troops from their other colonies. Their operation to push back the Axis became known as Operation Crusader. Fighting continued, until finally on January 6, 1942, Rommel pulled his army back.
The Italians and Germans continued fighting for control of Egypt, while the British maintained their ground. Soon, Bernard Montgomery would be appointed as the Eight Army Commander. On August 30, 1942, the Axis attempted one final push in the Western Campaign. However, the arrival of US troops and supplies shifted the balance. At the Battle of Alam el Hafa and El Alamein, the Axis took heavy losses by Montgomery's forces. Rommel would abandon Tripoli, the capital of Libya, and the entire land to the Allies.
British soldiers fighting at the Battle of El Alamein.
Operation Torch
On November 8, 1942, the military campaign in Morocco and Algeria commenced. American soldiers have just landed in Morocco and are being led to battle by General Eisenhower. Vichy France led by pro-German Admiral Darlan battled the progressing Americans in Morocco before joining the Allies after the German invasion of the Vichy. The success of the American arrival to Africa caused the Germans to call in support toward Tunisia.
On November 8, 1942, the military campaign in Morocco and Algeria commenced. American soldiers have just landed in Morocco and are being led to battle by General Eisenhower. Vichy France led by pro-German Admiral Darlan battled the progressing Americans in Morocco before joining the Allies after the German invasion of the Vichy. The success of the American arrival to Africa caused the Germans to call in support toward Tunisia.
The arrival of American soldiers and supplies at the coast of Morocco.
The Tunisian Campaign
On January 5, 1943, Allied soldiers landed in eastern Tunisia in Sfax. On February 4, Montgomery's men have crossed the Libyan-Tunisian border. The Americans were coming in from the east with French aid. The Axis was all held in Tunisia.
General Rommel saw that the Germans and Italians were severely outnumbered. Yet he insisted in defending the last land left of North Africa. They were able to defend against the Americans at Kasserine Pass, but the Allies slowly made their way up the northeast coast. On March 23, the Americans successfully faced German tanks at the Battle of El Guettar. On May 7, the British captured Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. On the same day, the Americans captured Bizerte, the last Axis port in North Africa. On May 13, 1943, Genera Rommel formally surrendered. The Allies have won the North-African Campaign.
On January 5, 1943, Allied soldiers landed in eastern Tunisia in Sfax. On February 4, Montgomery's men have crossed the Libyan-Tunisian border. The Americans were coming in from the east with French aid. The Axis was all held in Tunisia.
General Rommel saw that the Germans and Italians were severely outnumbered. Yet he insisted in defending the last land left of North Africa. They were able to defend against the Americans at Kasserine Pass, but the Allies slowly made their way up the northeast coast. On March 23, the Americans successfully faced German tanks at the Battle of El Guettar. On May 7, the British captured Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. On the same day, the Americans captured Bizerte, the last Axis port in North Africa. On May 13, 1943, Genera Rommel formally surrendered. The Allies have won the North-African Campaign.
A comparison between the the beginning and end of the Tunisian Campaign, showing how the Axis were forced to retreat and stay cornered after losing important sites in Tunisia.
Casualties and Aftermath
Germans and Italians: 620,000
British: 220,000
Americans during the Tunisian Campaign: 18,500
The Allied Victory in North Africa opened up a second front in the war alongside the Soviet Union, an entry to Italy, and the lack of resources for the Axis.
Germans and Italians: 620,000
British: 220,000
Americans during the Tunisian Campaign: 18,500
The Allied Victory in North Africa opened up a second front in the war alongside the Soviet Union, an entry to Italy, and the lack of resources for the Axis.