North Africa Campaign

North Africa Campaign of World War 2

1. The War Without HateThe War Without Hate
Hamilton CookHamilton Cook
June 10,1940 – May 16, 1943June 10,1940 – May 16, 1943

2. TimelineTimeline
September 13, 1940- Italians invade EgyptSeptember 13, 1940- Italians invade Egypt
February 9, 1941- British offensive stops after pushing February 9, 1941- British offensive stops after pushing
the Italians back a third of the way into Libya.the Italians back a third of the way into Libya.
March 24, 1941- Axis forces now under the command of March 24, 1941- Axis forces now under the command of
Field Marshal Erwin Rommel counterattack and reach Field Marshal Erwin Rommel counterattack and reach
Egypt by April 15.Egypt by April 15.
November 18, 1941- The British 8November 18, 1941- The British 8
thth
army counterattacks army counterattacks
and once again reaches El Agheila by January 1942.and once again reaches El Agheila by January 1942.

3. TimelineTimeline
January 21, 1942- The Axis retaliation forces the British back and January 21, 1942- The Axis retaliation forces the British back and
the city of Tobruk, a British stronghold is captured on June 21.the city of Tobruk, a British stronghold is captured on June 21.
July 1-27, 1942- The Axis advance on Cairo is stopped at the July 1-27, 1942- The Axis advance on Cairo is stopped at the
First Battle of El Alamein.First Battle of El Alamein.
October 23 – November 4, 1942- British forces crush the October 23 – November 4, 1942- British forces crush the
Germans and Italians at the Second Battle of El Alamein.Germans and Italians at the Second Battle of El Alamein.
November 8, 1942- Operation Torch beginsNovember 8, 1942- Operation Torch begins
February 14, 1943- Rommel inflicts heavy casualties on the February 14, 1943- Rommel inflicts heavy casualties on the
Americans at the Battle of Kasserine Pass.Americans at the Battle of Kasserine Pass.
May 13, 1943- Axis forces in Tunisia surrender, ending the May 13, 1943- Axis forces in Tunisia surrender, ending the
campaign.campaign.

4. CausesCauses
Germany and Russia invaded Poland on Germany and Russia invaded Poland on
September 1, 1939 thus beginning World War II.September 1, 1939 thus beginning World War II.
After defeating Poland, Germany turned to the After defeating Poland, Germany turned to the
west and conquered France with some assistance west and conquered France with some assistance
from Italy.from Italy.
German troops marching in Warsaw Poland.

5. Causes of North African CampaignCauses of North African Campaign
Mussolini envisioned the Mediterranean as an Mussolini envisioned the Mediterranean as an
Italian lake.Italian lake.
He therefore sent an army to the Italian colony He therefore sent an army to the Italian colony
of Libya to commence the attack on the Allies.of Libya to commence the attack on the Allies.

6. Strategic ImportanceStrategic Importance
The Axis powers were attempting to gain The Axis powers were attempting to gain
control of Africa so they could strike at the oil control of Africa so they could strike at the oil
fields in the Middle East and eventually open a fields in the Middle East and eventually open a
second front against the Soviet Union.second front against the Soviet Union.
The Allies were attempting to stop the Axis The Allies were attempting to stop the Axis
advance, pull pressure off of the Soviet Union, advance, pull pressure off of the Soviet Union,
and allow for the opening of a second European and allow for the opening of a second European
front.front.

7. ArmiesArmies
Primary Allied ForcesPrimary Allied Forces
British 8British 8
thth
army army
6 American divisions6 American divisions
Primary Axis ForcesPrimary Axis Forces
German Afrika KorpsGerman Afrika Korps
Miscellaneous Italian forcesMiscellaneous Italian forces

8. Allied CommandersAllied Commanders
American General Dwight E. EisenhowerAmerican General Dwight E. Eisenhower
American General George PattonAmerican General George Patton
British Field Marshal Bernard MontgomeryBritish Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery
General Eisenhower General Patton
Field Marshal Montgomery

9. Axis CommanderAxis Commander
The primary commander of Axis The primary commander of Axis
forces in North Africa was Erwin forces in North Africa was Erwin
Rommel.Rommel.
After serving with valor in World After serving with valor in World
War I, Rommel was ordered to War I, Rommel was ordered to
assist the Italians by Hitler.assist the Italians by Hitler.
Due to his stunning military Due to his stunning military
victories he was given the victories he was given the
nickname the “Desert Fox”.nickname the “Desert Fox”.
He killed himself after being He killed himself after being
implicated in a plot to kill Hitler.implicated in a plot to kill Hitler.
Even to this day, he is still Even to this day, he is still
remembered as one of the greatest remembered as one of the greatest
generals of all time.generals of all time.
Field Marshal Erwin Rommel

10. Allied Infantry Weapons of WarAllied Infantry Weapons of War
M1 GarandM1 Garand
M1 CarbineM1 Carbine
Thompson Sub-machine gunThompson Sub-machine gun
Browning Automatic RifleBrowning Automatic Rifle
Lee-Enfield bolt-action rifleLee-Enfield bolt-action rifle
PistolsPistols
Various machine gunsVarious machine guns
BazookasBazookas
GrenadesGrenades
Browning Automatic Rifle
M1 Garand

11. Axis Infantry Weapons of WarAxis Infantry Weapons of War
Gewehr 41Gewehr 41
Kar98kKar98k
MG 34MG 34
MG 42MG 42
MP 40MP 40
Lugar and other pistolsLugar and other pistols
GrenadesGrenades
Kar98k
Lugar

12. Tanks and notable support weaponsTanks and notable support weapons
AlliedAllied
M3 General Lee medium M3 General Lee medium
tanktank
M3 General Grant M3 General Grant
medium tankmedium tank
M4 Sherman medium M4 Sherman medium
tanktank
Crusader cruiser tankCrusader cruiser tank
AxisAxis
Panzer IIIPanzer III
Panzer IVPanzer IV
88mm flak gun88mm flak gun
Sherman tank
Panzer III

13. First StrikeFirst Strike
On the 13On the 13
thth
of September 1940, the 200,000 of September 1940, the 200,000
soldiers of the Italian 10soldiers of the Italian 10
thth
army invaded British- army invaded British-
Egypt from Libya.Egypt from Libya.
The Italian army advanced into Egypt and The Italian army advanced into Egypt and
reached the town of Sidi Barrani, but halted due reached the town of Sidi Barrani, but halted due
to lack of intelligence about the British army.to lack of intelligence about the British army.

14. Allied RetaliationAllied Retaliation
After this, the British forces in the area, although After this, the British forces in the area, although
they were one-sixth of the Italians size retaliated they were one-sixth of the Italians size retaliated
against the Italians in Operation Compass.against the Italians in Operation Compass.
The British forced the surrender of the entire The British forced the surrender of the entire
1010
thth
army and were able to advance almost a army and were able to advance almost a
third of the way into Libya. third of the way into Libya.

15. The Coming of the FoxThe Coming of the Fox
The Germans quickly sent the Afrika Korps The Germans quickly sent the Afrika Korps
under Field Marshal Erwin Rommel to assist the under Field Marshal Erwin Rommel to assist the
Italians against the British.Italians against the British.
Although he was ordered to just prevent the Although he was ordered to just prevent the
British from advancing any farther, Rommel British from advancing any farther, Rommel
took his troops on the offensive and was able to took his troops on the offensive and was able to
push the British back passed the Italian’s farthest push the British back passed the Italian’s farthest
point of advance.point of advance.

16. We’re Back to Where We Started!We’re Back to Where We Started!
After reaching the city of Salum, both sides After reaching the city of Salum, both sides
stopped and waited.stopped and waited.
This allowed the British to reorganize their This allowed the British to reorganize their
forces into the 8forces into the 8
thth
Army. Army.
Rommel, however, received few reinforcementsRommel, however, received few reinforcements
Now the British were able to counterattack and Now the British were able to counterattack and
force the Axis back to the city of El Agheila force the Axis back to the city of El Agheila
once again.once again.

17. Rommel’s Finest HourRommel’s Finest Hour
An Axis convoy’s arrival allowed Rommel to An Axis convoy’s arrival allowed Rommel to
counterattack on January 21, 1942.counterattack on January 21, 1942.
En route to Egypt, the Afrika Korps finally recaptured En route to Egypt, the Afrika Korps finally recaptured
the city of Tobruk on June 21, 1942, which the British the city of Tobruk on June 21, 1942, which the British
had captured during their first invasion of Libya and they had captured during their first invasion of Libya and they
were able to hold it until they werewere able to hold it until they were
They pushed the British back to the city of El Alamein They pushed the British back to the city of El Alamein
and coming close to capturing Cairo itself before the and coming close to capturing Cairo itself before the
desperate British were able to halt them during the desperate British were able to halt them during the
month of July in the First battle of El Alamein. month of July in the First battle of El Alamein.

18. Build-up to El AlameinBuild-up to El Alamein
El Alamein is located about 100 miles west of Alexandria, so this El Alamein is located about 100 miles west of Alexandria, so this
was the British last hope.was the British last hope.
Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery had been appointed to the Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery had been appointed to the
command of the British 8command of the British 8
thth
army. army.
In the three months between the battles of first and second El In the three months between the battles of first and second El
Alamein the British were able to gain a two-to-one advantage Alamein the British were able to gain a two-to-one advantage
against the Axis powers.against the Axis powers.
 In addition, the British made tank look like supple vehicles to In addition, the British made tank look like supple vehicles to
trick the Germans into thinking they would attack elsewhere.trick the Germans into thinking they would attack elsewhere.
 Meanwhile, Rommel had mined a huge expanse of the Meanwhile, Rommel had mined a huge expanse of the
battlefield with almost 500,000 mines.battlefield with almost 500,000 mines.

19. The Battle of El AlameinThe Battle of El Alamein
 The battle opened with twenty minutes of artillery The battle opened with twenty minutes of artillery
bombardment by about 900 guns.bombardment by about 900 guns.
This was followed by infantry advance across the This was followed by infantry advance across the
minefield to clear lanes for the tanks.minefield to clear lanes for the tanks.
After the attack stalled out, a strike to the north front of After the attack stalled out, a strike to the north front of
that resulted in huge casualties on both sides. that resulted in huge casualties on both sides.
As a result, the British launched Operation Supercharge As a result, the British launched Operation Supercharge
that decimated Rommel’s tank groups and forced them that decimated Rommel’s tank groups and forced them
into retreat.into retreat.

20. El Alamein ReferencesEl Alamein References
““Now this is not the end. It is not even the Now this is not the end. It is not even the
beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end
of the beginning.” of the beginning.”
““Before Before AlameinAlamein we never had a victory. After we never had a victory. After
Alamein, we never had a defeat.”Alamein, we never had a defeat.”
Both quotes are by Winston Churchill. The first Both quotes are by Winston Churchill. The first
was in his speech after the battle, and the second was in his speech after the battle, and the second
was written in the was written in the Hinge of FateHinge of Fate. .

21. Operation TorchOperation Torch
With the British advancing rapidly against Rommel after With the British advancing rapidly against Rommel after
the Battle of El Alamein, the Allies conducted the Battle of El Alamein, the Allies conducted
amphibious landings on the Western Coast of Africa to amphibious landings on the Western Coast of Africa to
surround the Axis.surround the Axis.
General Dwight D. Eisenhower was chosen to General Dwight D. Eisenhower was chosen to
command the invasion force mainly due to the fact that command the invasion force mainly due to the fact that
the occupied French might still be mad at the British due the occupied French might still be mad at the British due
to the latter’s sinking of French ships to prevent them to the latter’s sinking of French ships to prevent them
falling into German hands.falling into German hands.
Casualties were relatively light due to eventual Vichy Casualties were relatively light due to eventual Vichy
French defection to the Allies.French defection to the Allies.

22. Map of Operation TorchMap of Operation Torch

23. The Final PushThe Final Push
By November 1942, the Germans and Italians had been By November 1942, the Germans and Italians had been
pushed back to Tunisia but had not yet been completely pushed back to Tunisia but had not yet been completely
defeated.defeated.
After Rommel defeated the American Second Corps After Rommel defeated the American Second Corps
twice, George S. Patton was given command of the twice, George S. Patton was given command of the
Corps.Corps.
Between him and Field Marshal Montgomery the Axis Between him and Field Marshal Montgomery the Axis
now had their backs to the sea with no room to now had their backs to the sea with no room to
maneuver and few supplies.maneuver and few supplies.
However, Rommel was able to still inflict heavy However, Rommel was able to still inflict heavy
casualties on the Americans at the Battle of Kasserine casualties on the Americans at the Battle of Kasserine
Pass while receiving few in return.Pass while receiving few in return.

24. Victory!!Victory!!
The Germans and Italians in North Africa The Germans and Italians in North Africa
surrendered on May 13, 1943 resulting in over a surrendered on May 13, 1943 resulting in over a
quarter of a million Prisoners of War being quarter of a million Prisoners of War being
taken.taken.
In addition, Allied sea and air power resulted in In addition, Allied sea and air power resulted in
only about 600 Axis troops escaped.only about 600 Axis troops escaped.

25. ConsequencesConsequences
The victory in North Africa resulted in the Suez The victory in North Africa resulted in the Suez
canal remaining in Allied hands and the oil fields canal remaining in Allied hands and the oil fields
of the Middle East not falling into Axis hands.of the Middle East not falling into Axis hands.
The victory in North Africa allowed for the The victory in North Africa allowed for the
invasion of Italy which forced the Italian invasion of Italy which forced the Italian
surrender and pulled German troops away from surrender and pulled German troops away from
the Eastern front, helping the Soviet’s defense the Eastern front, helping the Soviet’s defense
against the Germans.against the Germans.

26. BibliographyBibliography
Stratton, Molly, ed. Stratton, Molly, ed. The New Grolier Encyclopedia of World The New Grolier Encyclopedia of World
War IIWar II. Vol. 2. Danbury: Grolier Company, 1995. . Vol. 2. Danbury: Grolier Company, 1995.
Rice, Earle. Rice, Earle. Erwin J. E. RommelErwin J. E. Rommel. Philadelphia: Chelsea House, . Philadelphia: Chelsea House,
2004. 2004.
"North Africa Campaign." "North Africa Campaign." WikipediaWikipedia. 3 Dec. 2007. Wikimedia. 3 . 3 Dec. 2007. Wikimedia. 3
Dec. 2007 Dec. 2007
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_African_Campaign>. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_African_Campaign>.
"North Africa Campaign Map." "North Africa Campaign Map." BBCBBC. 3 Dec. 2007 . 3 Dec. 2007
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/launch_ani<http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/launch_ani
_north_africa_campaign.shtml>. _north_africa_campaign.shtml>.
"The Battle of El Alamein." "The Battle of El Alamein." History Learning SiteHistory Learning Site. 3 Dec. 2007 . 3 Dec. 2007
<http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/battle_of_el_alamein.ht<http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/battle_of_el_alamein.ht
m>. m>.

27. The EndThe End