Lesson 10: North Africa Campaign

Question 1

Reasons why Axis launched North Africa campaign

Answer 1

Nth Africa= important for shipping (Suez Canal), access to oil in Middle East + for Bri access to India

Question 2

Challenges of desert warfare

Answer 2

Throughout the campaign both
sides found that the further they advanced, the harder it was to keep their forces supplied/ There was no ability for armies to live off the land or use resources from conquered
territories.
* Both sides suffered shortages of fuel → rapid advances
were often followed by equally rapid retreats.
* Rough terrain and constant sand abrasion on engines made
vehicles break down.
* In the desert natural water supplies were almost nonexistent. Water had to be transported in vehicles.
* Half of each man’s daily ration of 4.5 litres went for cooking and
topping up vehicle radiators. The rest was for drinking, washing
and shaving.
* Climate: Visibility in the desert was hampered by heat
haze, dust and sandstorms/ soldiers dealt with extreme
heat during the day and cold temperature in the evenings
→ spread of disease with millions of flies + poor hygiene

Question 3

Evidence Rommel was a skilled General

Answer 3

Rommel was a daring and imaginative tank commander + for several months his
tactics proved superior to those of the British
: Rommel attacked, cutting off the British 3rd Armoured Brigade.
By 13 April the British had been forced back to the Egyptian border, leaving the 9th Australian Division besieged in Tobruk.

Despite Rommel being outnumber 4 to 1 in terms of tanks, his use of anti-tank guns
was more effective

Question 4

Reasons why the Allies won the North African Campaign

Answer 4

Rommel, running short on fuel and supplies made a last effort to break
through but was repulsed at Alam Halfa.= EXTREMELY RISKY

24 October 1942: 2nd Battle of El Alamein= Bri attack Axis positions under cover of a 600-gun
barrage + after ten days of attritional fighting, the heavily defended German line was breached.

7 May the Allies entered the capital Tunis + Five days later 250,000 German and
Italian troops surrendered
* Nearly 400,000 Axis and Allied troops were lost, injured or died of disease
* The Allies captured up to 500,000 Axis soldiers
* The Allies could now plan an invasion of Italy which would commence 2 months later