The Battle of North Africa

The Desert Fox in North Africa:

The Battle of El Alamein

Student: Navi Gadhri

Student #: 0424223

Due Date: 15/11/04

Course: History 245

The Battle of North Africa was one of the many turning point battles of World War Two. The Axis forces needed to get to the Suez Canal and the Allies had to stop them in order for any chance of victory. The Suez Canal was of great importance to both sides; The Nazi's needed it for access to oil in the Middle East, and the Allies used it for a relatively safe supply route. The loss of the Suez Canal would have an "incalculable psychological blow"[1] to the Allies.

The Battle would take place in two stages, with Rommel leading the charge for the Afrika Krops throughout. However the Allies would switch leaders midway through, replacing Claude Auchinleck with Bernard Montgomery. This was done because Auchinleck was seen to have lost the respect of the troops, while Montgomery was perceived to have the ability necessary of regaining their respect. The Afrika Korps was Rommel self trained military force, it was seen as one of the greatest divisions in the entire Second World War. The Allies had many divisions from three different countries, Britain, America and New Zealand.

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