Illustration
This map illustrates the North Africa Campaign of World War II, spanning from 1940 to 1943 - a series of operations and battles for control of the strategic region between the Allied forces (primarily the British Commonwealth) and the Axis powers, led by Germany and Italy. Beginning with Italy's invasion of Egypt in September 1940, the campaign saw significant back-and-forth fighting across the harsh desert terrain. Key engagements included Operation Compass, which initially pushed Italian forces back, and subsequent counteroffensives led by German General Erwin Rommel, known as the "Desert Fox." The campaign reached a turning point with the decisive Allied victory at the Second Battle of El Alamein in October-November 1942 under General Bernard Montgomery. This victory, coupled with the successful Operation Torch landings by American and British forces in French North Africa, ultimately led to the Axis surrender in Tunisia in May 1943, securing the region for the Allies and paving the way for the invasion of Italy.
About the Author
Related Images
Erwin Rommel, 1940
General Rommel, Western Desert
Erwin Rommel, 1917
Map of Western Desert Campaigns
Australian Troops, Siege of Tobruk
Post-siege Tobruk
External Links
Cite This Work
APA Style
Netchev, S. (2024, July 25). WWII North Africa Campaign, 1940-1943. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19274/wwii-north-africa-campaign-1940-1943/
Chicago Style
Netchev, Simeon. "WWII North Africa Campaign, 1940-1943." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified July 25, 2024. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19274/wwii-north-africa-campaign-1940-1943/.
MLA Style
Netchev, Simeon. "WWII North Africa Campaign, 1940-1943." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 25 Jul 2024. Web. 17 Oct 2024.
