North African Campaign facts for kids
The North African Campaign was part of the Second World War. It took place in North Africa from 10 June 1940 to 13 May 1943. The campaign in north Africa included fighting in the Libyan and Egyptian deserts (the Desert War), and in Morocco and Algeria (Operation Torch) and Tunisia (Tunisia Campaign).
There was a see-saw series of battles for control of Libya and parts of Egypt. The Siege of Tobruk in 1941 was one of the turning points. In the Second Battle of El Alamein British Commonwealth forces under the command of Lieutenant general Bernard Montgomery decisive defeated the Afrika Korps and other Axis forces and pushed them back to Tunisia.
The late 1942 Allied landings in Operation Torch in North-West Africa was done to mop up the remaining enemy forces. There were battles against Vichy France forces which then changed sides. The Allies suffered a serious defeat at the Battle of the Kasserine Pass. Later, they defeated the Axis forces in southern Tunisia (battle of Mareth), then encircled the remaining Italian & German troops in northern Tunisia and finally forced their surrender.
After the fall of Tunis, the last troops to surrender were the Italians of general Messe in May 13, 1943 in the northern Tunisian peninsula of Cape Bon.
Related pages
Images for kids
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A British Matilda Mk II named "Glenorchy" of Major K.P. Harris, MC, commander of 'D' Squadron, 7th Royal Tank Regiment during Operation Compass displaying an Italian flag captured at Tobruk, 24 January 1941
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The Italian Empire in November 1942
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Czechoslovak 11th Infantry Battalion defending Tobruk
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Men of the 4th Indian Division with a captured German flag at Sidi Omar in North Africa.
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Erwin Rommel with Italian governor of Libya, General Italo Gariboldi (on Rommel's right), in Tripoli, February 1941
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New Zealand members of the Long Range Desert Group pause for tea in the Western Desert, 27 March 1941
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British Crusader tanks moving to forward positions during Operation Crusader, 26 November 1941
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British colonial troops captured by Italian and German forces in 1941
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American troops on board a Landing Craft Assault heading into Oran, November 1942
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Tiger 712 of the 501st Heavy Panzer Battalion
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A German Signals reception unit in the desert
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An Italian M13/40 tank belonging to the Ariete Armoured Division
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Colossus Mark II computer at Bletchley Park
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Wehrmacht fuel barrel in Tunisia, 2010
See also
In Spanish: Campaña en África del Norte para niños
