The War Without The War Without HateHate

Hamilton CookHamilton Cook

June 10,1940 – May 16, 1943June 10,1940 – May 16, 1943

TimelineTimeline

September 13, 1940- Italians invade EgyptSeptember 13, 1940- Italians invade Egypt February 9, 1941- British offensive stops February 9, 1941- British offensive stops

after pushing the Italians back a third of after pushing the Italians back a third of the way into Libya.the way into Libya.

March 24, 1941- Axis forces now under the March 24, 1941- Axis forces now under the command of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel command of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel counterattack and reach Egypt by April 15.counterattack and reach Egypt by April 15.

November 18, 1941- The British 8November 18, 1941- The British 8thth army army counterattacks and once again reaches El counterattacks and once again reaches El Agheila by January 1942.Agheila by January 1942.

TimelineTimeline January 21, 1942- The Axis retaliation forces the January 21, 1942- The Axis retaliation forces the

British back and the city of Tobruk, a British British back and the city of Tobruk, a British stronghold is captured on June 21.stronghold is captured on June 21.

July 1-27, 1942- The Axis advance on Cairo is July 1-27, 1942- The Axis advance on Cairo is stopped at the First Battle of El Alamein.stopped at the First Battle of El Alamein.

October 23 – November 4, 1942- British forces October 23 – November 4, 1942- British forces crush the Germans and Italians at the Second Battle crush the Germans and Italians at the Second Battle of El Alamein.of El Alamein.

November 8, 1942- Operation Torch beginsNovember 8, 1942- Operation Torch begins February 14, 1943- Rommel inflicts heavy casualties February 14, 1943- Rommel inflicts heavy casualties

on the Americans at the Battle of Kasserine Pass.on the Americans at the Battle of Kasserine Pass. May 13, 1943- Axis forces in Tunisia surrender, May 13, 1943- Axis forces in Tunisia surrender,

ending the campaign.ending the campaign.

CausesCauses Germany and Russia invaded Poland Germany and Russia invaded Poland

on September 1, 1939 thus on September 1, 1939 thus beginning World War II.beginning World War II.

After defeating Poland, Germany After defeating Poland, Germany turned to the west and conquered turned to the west and conquered France with some assistance from France with some assistance from Italy.Italy.

German troops marching in Warsaw Poland.

Causes of North African Causes of North African CampaignCampaign

Mussolini envisioned the Mussolini envisioned the Mediterranean as an Italian lake.Mediterranean as an Italian lake.

He therefore sent an army to the He therefore sent an army to the Italian colony of Libya to commence Italian colony of Libya to commence the attack on the Allies.the attack on the Allies.

Strategic ImportanceStrategic Importance

The Axis powers were attempting to The Axis powers were attempting to gain control of Africa so they could gain control of Africa so they could strike at the oil fields in the Middle strike at the oil fields in the Middle East and eventually open a second East and eventually open a second front against the Soviet Union.front against the Soviet Union.

The Allies were attempting to stop The Allies were attempting to stop the Axis advance, pull pressure off of the Axis advance, pull pressure off of the Soviet Union, and allow for the the Soviet Union, and allow for the opening of a second European front.opening of a second European front.

ArmiesArmies

Primary Allied ForcesPrimary Allied Forces British 8British 8thth army army 6 American divisions6 American divisions

Primary Axis ForcesPrimary Axis Forces German Afrika KorpsGerman Afrika Korps Miscellaneous Italian forcesMiscellaneous Italian forces

Allied CommandersAllied Commanders

American General Dwight E. American General Dwight E. EisenhowerEisenhower

American General George PattonAmerican General George Patton British Field Marshal Bernard British Field Marshal Bernard

MontgomeryMontgomery

General Eisenhower

General Patton

Field Marshal Montgomery

Axis CommanderAxis Commander The primary commander of The primary commander of

Axis forces in North Africa Axis forces in North Africa was Erwin Rommel.was Erwin Rommel.

After serving with valor in After serving with valor in World War I, Rommel was World War I, Rommel was ordered to assist the Italians ordered to assist the Italians by Hitler.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 implicated in a plot to kill Hitler.Hitler.

Even to this day, he is still Even to this day, he is still remembered as one of the remembered as one of the greatest generals of all time.greatest generals of all time.

Field Marshal Erwin Rommel

Allied Infantry Weapons Allied Infantry Weapons of Warof 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

Axis Infantry Weapons of Axis Infantry Weapons of WarWar

Gewehr 41Gewehr 41 Kar98kKar98k MG 34MG 34 MG 42MG 42 MP 40MP 40 Lugar and other pistolsLugar and other pistols GrenadesGrenades

Kar98k

Lugar

Tanks and notable support Tanks and notable support weaponsweapons

AlliedAllied M3 General Lee M3 General Lee

medium tankmedium tank 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

First StrikeFirst Strike

On the 13On the 13thth of September 1940, the of September 1940, the 200,000 soldiers of the Italian 10200,000 soldiers of the Italian 10thth army invaded British-Egypt from army invaded British-Egypt from Libya.Libya.

The Italian army advanced into The Italian army advanced into Egypt and reached the town of Sidi Egypt and reached the town of Sidi Barrani, but halted due to lack of Barrani, but halted due to lack of intelligence about the British army.intelligence about the British army.

Allied RetaliationAllied Retaliation

After this, the British forces in the After this, the British forces in the area, although they were one-sixth area, although they were one-sixth of the Italians size retaliated against of the Italians size retaliated against the Italians in Operation Compass.the Italians in Operation Compass.

The British forced the surrender of The British forced the surrender of the entire 10the entire 10thth army and were able to army and were able to advance almost a third of the way advance almost a third of the way into Libya. into Libya.

The Coming of the FoxThe Coming of the Fox

The Germans quickly sent the Afrika The Germans quickly sent the Afrika Korps under Field Marshal Erwin Korps under Field Marshal Erwin Rommel to assist the Italians against Rommel to assist the Italians against the British.the British.

Although he was ordered to just Although he was ordered to just prevent the British from advancing prevent the British from advancing any farther, Rommel took his troops any farther, Rommel took his troops on the offensive and was able to on the offensive and was able to push the British back passed the push the British back passed the Italian’s farthest point of advance.Italian’s farthest point of advance.

We’re Back to Where We We’re Back to Where We Started!Started!

After reaching the city of Salum, both After reaching the city of Salum, both sides stopped and waited.sides stopped and waited.

This allowed the British to reorganize This allowed the British to reorganize their forces into the 8their forces into the 8thth Army. Army.

Rommel, however, received few Rommel, however, received few reinforcementsreinforcements

Now the British were able to Now the British were able to counterattack and force the Axis back counterattack and force the Axis back to the city of El Agheila once again.to the city of El Agheila once again.

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 En route to Egypt, the Afrika Korps finally

recaptured the city of Tobruk on June 21, recaptured the city of Tobruk on June 21, 1942, which the British had captured 1942, which the British had captured during their first invasion of Libya and they 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 They pushed the British back to the city of El Alamein and coming close to capturing El Alamein and coming close to capturing Cairo itself before the desperate British Cairo itself before the desperate British were able to halt them during the month of were able to halt them during the month of July in the First battle of El Alamein. July in the First battle of El Alamein.

Build-up to El AlameinBuild-up to El Alamein El Alamein is located about 100 miles west of El Alamein is located about 100 miles west of

Alexandria, so this was the British last hope.Alexandria, so this was the British last hope. Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery had been Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery had been

appointed to the command of the British 8appointed to the command of the British 8thth army. army. In the three months between the battles of first In the three months between the battles of first

and second El Alamein the British were able to and second El Alamein the British were able to gain a two-to-one advantage against the Axis gain a two-to-one advantage against the Axis powers.powers.

In addition, the British made tank look like In addition, the British made tank look like supple vehicles to trick the Germans into supple vehicles to trick the Germans into thinking they would attack elsewhere.thinking they would attack elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Rommel had mined a huge expanse Meanwhile, Rommel had mined a huge expanse of the battlefield with almost 500,000 mines.of the battlefield with almost 500,000 mines.

The Battle of El AlameinThe Battle of El Alamein

The battle opened with twenty minutes of The battle opened with twenty minutes of artillery bombardment by about 900 guns.artillery bombardment by about 900 guns.

This was followed by infantry advance across This was followed by infantry advance across the minefield to clear lanes for the tanks.the minefield to clear lanes for the tanks.

After the attack stalled out, a strike to the After the attack stalled out, a strike to the north front of that resulted in huge north front of that resulted in huge casualties on both sides. casualties on both sides.

As a result, the British launched Operation As a result, the British launched Operation Supercharge that decimated Rommel’s tank Supercharge that decimated Rommel’s tank groups and forced them into retreat.groups and forced them into retreat.

El Alamein ReferencesEl Alamein References

““Now this is not the end. It is not even Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” perhaps, the end of the beginning.”

““Before Before AlameinAlamein we never had a victory. we never had a victory. After Alamein, we never had a defeat.”After Alamein, we never had a defeat.”

Both quotes are by Winston Churchill. Both quotes are by Winston Churchill. The first was in his speech after the The first was in his speech after the battle, and the second was written in the battle, and the second was written in the Hinge of FateHinge of Fate. .

Operation TorchOperation Torch With the British advancing rapidly against With the British advancing rapidly against

Rommel after the Battle of El Alamein, the Rommel after the Battle of El Alamein, the Allies conducted amphibious landings on the Allies conducted amphibious landings on the Western Coast of Africa to surround the Axis.Western Coast of Africa to surround the Axis.

General Dwight D. Eisenhower was chosen to General Dwight D. Eisenhower was chosen to command the invasion force mainly due to command the invasion force mainly due to the fact that the occupied French might still the fact that the occupied French might still be mad at the British due to the latter’s be mad at the British due to the latter’s sinking of French ships to prevent them sinking of French ships to prevent them falling into German hands.falling into German hands.

Casualties were relatively light due to Casualties were relatively light due to eventual Vichy French defection to the Allies.eventual Vichy French defection to the Allies.

Map of Operation TorchMap of Operation Torch

The Final PushThe Final Push By November 1942, the Germans and Italians By November 1942, the Germans and Italians

had been pushed back to Tunisia but had not yet had been pushed back to Tunisia but had not yet been completely defeated.been completely defeated.

After Rommel defeated the American Second After Rommel defeated the American Second Corps twice, George S. Patton was given Corps twice, George S. Patton was given command of the Corps.command of the Corps.

Between him and Field Marshal Montgomery Between him and Field Marshal Montgomery the Axis now had their backs to the sea with no the Axis now had their backs to the sea with no room to maneuver and few supplies.room to 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 casualties on the Americans at the Battle of Kasserine Pass while receiving few in return.Kasserine Pass while receiving few in return.

Victory!!Victory!!

The Germans and Italians in North The Germans and Italians in North Africa surrendered on May 13, 1943 Africa surrendered on May 13, 1943 resulting in over a quarter of a resulting in over a quarter of a million Prisoners of War being million Prisoners of War being taken.taken.

In addition, Allied sea and air power In addition, Allied sea and air power resulted in only about 600 Axis resulted in only about 600 Axis troops escaped.troops escaped.

ConsequencesConsequences

The victory in North Africa resulted in The victory in North Africa resulted in the Suez canal remaining in Allied hands the Suez canal remaining in Allied hands and the oil fields of the Middle East not and the oil fields of the Middle East not falling into Axis hands.falling into Axis hands.

The victory in North Africa allowed for The victory in North Africa allowed for the invasion of Italy which forced the the invasion of Italy which forced the Italian surrender and pulled German Italian surrender and pulled German troops away from the Eastern front, troops away from the Eastern front, helping the Soviet’s defense against the helping the Soviet’s defense against the Germans.Germans.

BibliographyBibliography Stratton, Molly, ed. Stratton, Molly, ed. The New Grolier Encyclopedia of The New Grolier Encyclopedia of

World War IIWorld War II. Vol. 2. Danbury: Grolier Company, . Vol. 2. Danbury: Grolier Company, 1995. 1995.

Rice, Earle. Rice, Earle. Erwin J. E. RommelErwin J. E. Rommel. Philadelphia: . Philadelphia: Chelsea House, 2004. Chelsea House, 2004.

"North Africa Campaign." "North Africa Campaign." WikipediaWikipedia. 3 Dec. 2007. . 3 Dec. 2007. Wikimedia. 3 Dec. 2007 Wikimedia. 3 Dec. 2007 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_African_Campaig<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_African_Campaign>. n>.

"North Africa Campaign Map." "North Africa Campaign Map." BBCBBC. 3 Dec. 2007 . 3 Dec. 2007 <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/lau<http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/launch_ani_north_africa_campaign.shtml>. nch_ani_north_africa_campaign.shtml>.

"The Battle of El Alamein." "The Battle of El Alamein." History Learning SiteHistory Learning Site. 3 . 3 Dec. 2007 Dec. 2007 <http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/battle_of_el_al<http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/battle_of_el_alamein.htm>. amein.htm>.

The EndThe End