North Africa – lecture notes
Both the Axis and Allied powers knew that North Africa would be important for
three main reasons:
1. the Suez Canal
2. oil
3. launching point for battles
Important developments:
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Italy attacks Egypt on 13 September, 1940
Britain counter-attacks against Italy in N. Africa, Dec. 1940
Erwin Rommel (Desert Fox) takes command of German forces in N. Africa
General Bernard Montgomery takes command of British forces in N. Africa
El Alamein – October 1942
The small town of El Alamein is located 100km west of the Suez Canal
The British, nicknamed the “Desert Rats”, defeated Rommel’s forces. As the
German and Italian forces retreated over 1000 miles across N. Africa, the USA
ground troops joined the war.
American forces, under General Dwight Eisenhower, landed in Morocco and
advanced from the west (Operation Torch)
As the British advanced from the east, Rommel was trapped, but he escaped to
Italy.
Historical significance:
1. Suez Canal – now can avoid having to go around Africa
2. Oil
3. Launching point to Europe (Sicily and Italy)
4. USA joins the war in a “real way”
5. Germany’s best troops are defeated (and their General)