2. Battle of El Alamein and the significance of the conflict in North Africa to the European War

Question 1

Battle of El Alamein:

role?

Answer 1

significant role in contributing towards European War and as result Battle of El Alamein was great importance

Question 2

Battle of El Alamein:

why was North Africa campaign pursued?

Answer 2

due to region’s importance strategically and its significance in providing a route to ensure oil supplies via Egypt

Question 3

Battle of El Alamein:

what did the battle continue from?

Answer 3

the conflict already being fought in North Africa that endured as each side had been unable to outflank each other, often resulting in stalemates and attacks in dreadful conditions

Question 4

Battle of El Alamein:

when was first battle?

Answer 4

August 1942

Question 5

Battle of El Alamein:

what happened in first battle?

Answer 5

the British and German tank strength was about equal but it was evident that the balance was moving in favour of the Allies under General Montgomery

Question 6

Battle of El Alamein:

why was Allies succeeding?

Answer 6

His force reinforced by men and supplies, including supplies of fuel where Germany’s force under General Rommel was critically low

Question 7

Battle of El Alamein:

what did it become apparent to Rommel?

Answer 7

that his position was deteriorating so needed to attack the British without delay if he were to be successful

Question 8

Battle of El Alamein:

when was second battle launched?

Answer 8

launched October 23rd

Question 9

Battle of El Alamein:

what happened 2nd battle?

Answer 9

launched with massive artillery bombardment along a 10km front and raged for ten days similarly with great amount of casualties

Question 10

Battle of El Alamein:

losses?

Answer 10

lost considerable amount of tanks and men although Germany had lost more of both toward end of battle.
- Rommel had lost of 350 tanks and 15000 men, British casualties had reached 24000 dead or wounded with 500 tanks lost

Question 11

Battle of El Alamein:

despite Hitler’s refusal, what did Rommel do?

Answer 11

withdrew on November 5th, realising the futility of battle

Question 12

Battle of El Alamein:

British victory attributed to?

Answer 12

skills of General Montgomery, the handling of artillery and the Allied air support in contrast to the Luftwaffe

Question 13

Significance of the conflict in North Africa to the European War:
why significant?

Answer 13

it contributed to eventual surrender of Axis forces on May 13th, 1943 and the resulting takeover of North Africa by the Allies

Question 14

Significance of the conflict in North Africa to the European War:
what does Shirer believe?

Answer 14

believed this battle to be “great turning point” in being a great offensive against the Germans in which Western Allies were victorious

Question 15

Significance of the conflict in North Africa to the European War:
what did Thompson note with agreeing with Shirer?

Answer 15

noting that El Alamein had great impact on wider war and “made possible the next steps” in ensuring an overall Allied victory

Question 16

Significance of the conflict in North Africa to the European War:
hence why sig?

Answer 16

turned the war against Germany as from then on faced few more victories.

Question 17

Significance of the conflict in North Africa to the European War:
strategic impact?

Answer 17

The Suez Canal remained in allied hand and war was waging in the Far East. Middle Eastern Oil supplies had been denied to the Axis powers, Germany’s shortage of resources would be crucial to its defeat. No possibility of Axis forces in North Africa sweeping up through the Middle East to link with Hitler’s armies in Russia and the Allies now dominated the Mediterranean Sea

Question 18

Significance of the conflict in North Africa to the European War:
turning point when combined with?

Answer 18

the battle of El Alamein was a turning point in the war, linked with Germany’s defeat at Stalingrad and allied control of the Atlantic, Germany’s end was coming closer

Question 19

Significance of the conflict in North Africa to the European War:
what did control of North Africa allow for?

Answer 19

a direct attack on Italy possible, by mid 1944 Hitler would face a three front war

Question 20

Significance of the conflict in North Africa to the European War:
what does Churchill sum up about Battle of El Alamein?

Answer 20

“it is not the end; it is not even the beginning of the end; but its perhaps the end of the beginning”

Question 21

Significance of the conflict in North Africa to the European War:
David Thomson?

Answer 21

‘the North Africa campaign was a complete testing and vindication in action of the Atlantic Alliance’

Question 22

Significance of the conflict in North Africa to the European War:
William Shirer?

Answer 22

‘The initiative had passed from Hitler’s hands, never to return…a great and terrible Nazi dream was destroyed”