The importance of the North African/Desert Campaign

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The Desert War of 1940-1943 in North Africa, was very important to both the Allies and the Axis.

The control of the Mediterranean and access to the Suez canal and the Oil Rich Middle East was at stake.

The eventual victory here allowed for the successful invasion of the European mainland (Italy) which took them out of the war.

Further landings at Normandy in 1944 marked the end for Germany.

1940

13th September - Italian forces invade Epypt. Halted at Sidi Barrani.
9th December - British offensive begins. Torbruk captured. Italians collapse and retreat.

1941

7th February - Successive victories for Allies with 130, 000 Italians captured in two month offensive.
12th February - Erwin Rommel arrives in North Africa in command of the Afrika Corps to support collapsing Italian Army.
30th March - Rommel`s offensive begins and Tobruk is seiged.
14th June - Operation Battleaxe fails to relieve Tobruk.
18th November - Operation Crusader relieves Torbruk. Rommel retreats to Gazala

1942

21st January - Rommels second offensive begins.
7th February - Allies lose Benghazi and halt German advance at the Gazala line.
26th May - Rommels outflanks Gazala line
21st June - Tobruk Garrison surrenders to Rommels forces.
2 July - Rommel reaches and then is driven back from El Alamein.
13th August - Montgomery assumes control of Eighth Army.
30th August - Rommel attacks at Alam Halfa, but is repulsed and his armour is considerably weakened.
September to October - The Eighth Army receives 300 Sherman tanks.
23rd October - Second Battle of El-Alamein commences. Battle fierce and little gains made.
1st November - Operation Supercharge initiated (Renewed British attack).
4th November - British armour breaks through German lines. Rommel retreats towards Libya.
8th November - Operation Torch launched (Anglo-American landings on the North African Coast).

1943

23rd January - Allies capture Tripoli.
7th May - Tunis captured.
13th May - All Axis forces in North Africa surrender.



Timieline from: http://www.topedge.com/panels/ww2/na/frame.html