North Africa Campaign
The North Africa campaign was very important for the Allies to win. Why? North Africa was vital to the Allies because if they lost it they wouldn't be able to safely ship supplies and food without possibly getting attacked by the Axis Powers, especially the Italians since the tip of Italy is not too far from North Africa. This was also important for the Axis Powers because in order to help their chances of winning the war, they needed to cut off the Allies from important resources like oil, and other necessary supplies that would cripple them if they didn't have. They wanted to keep the resources found in Africa for themselves, so the victor of this series of battles would definitely have the upper hand in the war.
The fighting that took place in North Africa started in September of 1940 and lasted until May of 1943. This series of battles came with a three phase plan. The first phase was called the Western Desert campaign, the second phase was called Operation Torch, and finally the third phase was called the Tunisia campaign. The first phase was fought in Egypt and Libya, the second phase was fought in Algeria and Morocco, and the third phase was fought in Tunisia.
In the first phase, Italian forces fought against Great Britain, whom they outnumbered and expected a victory. This, however, would not be a victory for the Italians, but a victory for Great Britain because of good leadership by General Sir Archibald Wavell. Because of this loss German forces led by Erwin Rommel were sent to help the Italians, but it resulted in yet another victory for the Allies in the first phase of the North Africa campaign. In the second phase, it was the U.S. and Great Britain troops invading North Africa. Even though they were not fighting against any of the Axis Powers they were faced with some resistance from the French forces, but that was quickly resolved and that's when the third phase soon began. The Axis Powers, which consisted of the Italians and the Germans, were outnumbered and didn't have as much weaponry as the Allied Powers did, which resulted in their surrender on May 13, 1943.
The fighting that took place in North Africa started in September of 1940 and lasted until May of 1943. This series of battles came with a three phase plan. The first phase was called the Western Desert campaign, the second phase was called Operation Torch, and finally the third phase was called the Tunisia campaign. The first phase was fought in Egypt and Libya, the second phase was fought in Algeria and Morocco, and the third phase was fought in Tunisia.
In the first phase, Italian forces fought against Great Britain, whom they outnumbered and expected a victory. This, however, would not be a victory for the Italians, but a victory for Great Britain because of good leadership by General Sir Archibald Wavell. Because of this loss German forces led by Erwin Rommel were sent to help the Italians, but it resulted in yet another victory for the Allies in the first phase of the North Africa campaign. In the second phase, it was the U.S. and Great Britain troops invading North Africa. Even though they were not fighting against any of the Axis Powers they were faced with some resistance from the French forces, but that was quickly resolved and that's when the third phase soon began. The Axis Powers, which consisted of the Italians and the Germans, were outnumbered and didn't have as much weaponry as the Allied Powers did, which resulted in their surrender on May 13, 1943.