NORTH AFRICA AND THE

MEDITERRANEANBy

James RileyAndrew Waddell

Thomas Carruthers

Aims

Axis and

Allies- North Africa contained oil

- Egypt was crucial for the allies because of the Suez Canal as a vital

supply route from Britain to its empire in India, Australasia the far

east.- Any attack on North Africa was

discouraged by France and Britain.

First Movement

When France was defeated. Germany and Italy were in a stronger position.

Libya, controlled by Italy, invades Egypt and gains control of

oil.

Defence

German forces were sent with General Rommel to take back area of Libya and Egypt but north Libya

was ‘uncontrolled’. Neither side was able to gain an advantage.

Egypt drives Italians back

deep into Libya,

…capturing the

port of Tobruk

(Operation Compass)

Further North

Germany and Italy attacked

Malta but failed to force

Britain out.Germany and Italy conquered Yugoslavia, Greece and Crete.

Tobruk

Germany and Italy returned into driving Egyptian forces back, re-gain control of oil.Egyptian forces were

reorganised and drove Libya from the east.

North Africa Ended British landed in western corner of north Africa and

pushed from the westForces from east and west

conquered Libya and Tunisia.

Italy

Allies conquered Sicily and pushed into Italy.

Italy’s government surrendered.

Rome was taken but German forces held.German resistance continued until May

1945.

Impact of North Africa and

Mediterranean on rest of WW2:

Movements got Italy out of the

war.Kept allies in

control of oil.