DK - World War II Map by Map

74 GERMANY TRIUMPHANT 1939–1941

1

Italian defensive line

Italian advance

Italian-occupied towns Sep 13–16

Italian camps

ITALY’S CAMPAIGNS IN AFRICA

Italian dictator Benito Mussolini saw the outbreak of war as an opportunity to pursue his imperial ambitions

in Africa. He embarked on two disastrous campaigns against the British in Egypt, Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, and

British Somaliland, which backfired and resulted in Italy’s expulsion from northern Libya and Ethiopia.

Italy did not follow its Axis partner Germany into war in September

1939, but entered the conflict later, in June 1940, when Mussolini

judged that the Allies would soon be defeated. His initial aim was

to expand Italy’s colonies in Libya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Italian

Somaliland by taking territory from the British. With superior numbers

in the air and on the ground, Italy posed a threat to Britain’s positions

in Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, Kenya, and the Horn of Africa, as well as

British bases in Egypt and the vital supply route of the Suez Canal.

Italian forces invaded Sudan in early July 1940, but did not push

deep into British territory, switching to assault British Somaliland in

August, and then the Egyptian border in September. By the end of

October, however, Italy had opened up a new front in Greece (pp.78–

79) and did not appear to be planning new moves in Africa.

In December, the British launched Operation Compass against

the Italian invaders in Egypt and then swept on through northern

Libya, clearing the Italians out of the region in early February 1941.

By then, British forces—supported by Ethiopian chieftains rallied

by Emperor Haile Selassie—had launched counterattacks in East

Africa. By May, only few pockets of Italian resistance remained.

ITALY’S EMPIRE

Italy’s imperial ambitions were dealt a blow when

its soldiers failed to make inroads in Egypt against the

British, instead losing control of vital territory in Libya.

The Italians were also driven from their East African

colonies of Italian Somaliland, Eritrea, and the

Ethiopian Empire, held since 1936.

KEY

Under British influence

by Jun 1940

Italian Empire Jun 1940

French and French mandated

territories Jun 1940

Italian forts

Allied army

units

Major battles

ACTION IN NORTH AFRICA

From June 1940 to February 1941 the Italians

failed to advance in British-held Egypt and

were driven from northern Cyrenaica in

Libya, an Italian territory since 1912.

Jun 14, 1940 The

British capture Fort Capuzzo

from the Italians and begin

patrols on Italian side of the

Egyptian–Libyan border.

Jan 5, 1941 Australian

troops capture Bardia after

the town is bombarded by

the Mediterranean Fleet.

Dec 10, 1940 Italian

forces abandon their

fortified camps.

Jan 27, 1941

Mechili falls to the British

7th Armored Division.

Sep 16, 1940

Italian forces take

Sidi Barrani.

Jan 6–7, 1941 Battle of

Breda Fomm; fewer than 3,000 British

troops capture 20,000 Italians in the

first substantial British victory on land.

JAN 1940 JUL JAN 1941 JUL

TIMELINE

2

British defensive

position Dec 1941

British naval bombardment

Western Desert

Force advance

Italian army retreat

2

3

4

5

6

1

Western Desert Force/

XIII Force (from Jan 1941)

LIBYA

E

G

Y

P

T

Je

b

e

l^

El

Ak

hd

ar

CY

RE

NA

ICA

Fort Maddalena

Fort Capuzzo

Fort

Mechili

Al Bayda

Benghazi

Agedabia

Beda Fomm

Derna

Al Marj

Tobruk

Gazala

El Adem

Mersah Matruh

Baqqush

Sollum

Bardia

Maktila

Sidi Barrani

M e d i

t e

r r

a n

e a

n

S

e

a

THE BEGINNING OF THE NORTH AFRICA CAMPAIGN

JUNE 10, 1940–SEPTEMBER 21, 1940

The Italian declaration of war prompted a swift Allied

response. On June 14, British troops crossed from Egypt

into Italy’s Libyan territory to capture Forts Capuzzo

and Maddalena, and sent patrols as far as Tobruk. On

September 13, the Italians finally made their move into Egypt;

their troops advanced some 50 miles (80 km) over the border

before halting and setting up a line of fortified camps at Sidi

Barrani. Outnumbered, the Allied Western Desert Force

(WDF) withdrew to defensive positions at Mersa Matruh.

OPERATION COMPASS: ALLIED COUNTEROFFENSIVE

DECEMBER 9, 1940–FEBRUARY 7, 1941

Supported by a naval bombardment, the WDF launched

Operation Compass on December 9; within three days they

had taken Sidi Barrani. They soon captured Tobruk, gaining

a vital staging post for supplies. The 6th Australian Division

chased the Italians along the coast, while the 7th Armored

Division headed to Mechili before turning south-west to cut

off the Italian retreat. With the capture of Beda Fomm, the

Italians were cleared from north Cyrenaica.

US_074-075_Italy_campaign_Africa.indd 74 22/03/19 11:48 AM