North Africa campain

 The north Africa campaign one of the most intriguing theaters of war from World War Two. It was a new concept of battle when it came to Tank and Logistic warfare. Both for the Axis forces and the Allies this proved to be a Logistical nightmare.

War In the Mediterranean

The war in the Mediterranean was a test of Logistical and Technical superiority as well as being a proving ground for tank warfare. The North Africa Campaign was the first instance of Tank warfare in desert conditions. The Campaign launched on 11 June 1940 and instigated by the Italia Fascists in an attempt to take the supplies of Oil and Seize the Suez Canal taking control of the pass between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. The North Africa Campaign is an overarch name for the combat taking place in Africa at the time. These campaigns are Western Desert Campaign, Operation Torch, The Tunisia Campaign. The Allied war effort in North Africa was dominated by the British commonwealth until 11 May 1942 when the United States Directly joined the British efforts in North Africa. 

The Battle of Bardia

The battle of Bardia is the First Official battle of the North Africa Campaign as recognized by the allied forces. While a short battle between the axis and the allies lasting only the span of two days 3 JAnuary-5 January 1941 as apart of Operation compass was fought by the 6th Australian Division. This marked the first time in the war an Australian formation took part in battle. Bardia was an Italian heled fortress. During phase one of the battle sapper units began blasting at the walls crating holes for the infantry and British 7th Armored Matilda II tanks to enter the fort. by the end of phase two the battle had all but been won and on January 5 declared a victory. In all the Allies only suffered 130 casualties to the Italian 1703 killed. The victory at Bardia allowed the Allied forces to continue into Libia.

Above British Matilda II Heavy infantry tank

The capture of Tobruk

Another fascinating battle and one that would see itself contested again. The first battle of Tobruk was another very short battle resulting in an Allied win. Fought from 21-22 January 1941 this battle was preluded by 7 January 1941 when the 7th Armored Division was ordered to continue west to cut off Tobruk supported by the 19th Australian Brigade to the east. During the days between 7 January and 21 January, both sides began extensively preparing for the impending battle. The Italians fortified the western and eastern sectors of Tobruk while the British and Australian's geared up for the assault that would see the 19th Australian brigade lead the battle. the night of 20 January saw naval HMS Ships in the Mediterranean Sea move into position. And on the morning of the battle artillery peppered the entirety of the Tobruk line and by 22 January Tobruk was under allied control. This battle saw another 400 killed or wounded combined by the Allied Forces to the Axis 3048 Killed or wounded combined.

Rommel Joines The North Africa War

By February 6 Italy realized that they alone could not take North Africa alone and requested Aid from their allies Germany. February Saw the arrival of the German Afrika Korps led by LT Gen Erwin Rommel. At this point the allied forces casualties begin to mount as their tank the Panzers enter the battle Outclassing British tanks in fire power Armor and age by now the Panzer divisions were boasting the Panzer III and IV medium tanks and the first instances of the feared Panzer VI Tiger tank virtually impenetrable.

Siege of Tobruk

Here we are again at Tobruk this time the Allies are on the defense. This time the battle lasted much longer than the Italians. The Allied forced defending Tobruk were the British, Australians and Indians. The Siege of Tobruk lasted 10 April and 27 November. During this battle the 9th Australian division would be Dubbed the Rats of Tobruk by the Axis during the tenacious fighting. In the end the Axis would recapture Tobruk resulting in 5989 casualties for the allied defenders to the 12296 casualties sustained by the Axis and see 33,000 allies captured when Tobruk is taken 21 June 1942

1942

North Africa 1942 would see Rommel launch his second offensive. And On November 8 the US joined the Allies in north Africa. The US was very green when it came to desert combat and saw the arrival of the M3 lee/Grant tanks The predecessor to the much more successful M4 Sherman series of tanks later this year during the second battle of al Alamein

1943

This year would see the slow shift of battle in the allies' favor especially with the defeat of Rommel's Afrika Korps in March and his return to Germany. Marking the slow end of the North Africa Campaign with the last battle against Nazi stronghold 1 April when Operation tidal wave strikes nazi heled Romania and Oil reserves.