North Africa Campaign

Allied military campaign 1940–42 during World War II. Shortly after Italy declared war on France and Britain in June 1940, an Italian offensive was launched from Libya towards Egypt and the Suez Canal. In December 1940 Britain launched a successful counter-offensive and captured Cyrenaica. Following agreement between Mussolini and Hitler, the German Afrika korps was established under General Rommel. During 1941 and early 1942 the Axis powers advanced, recaptured Tobruk, and crossed the Egyptian border before halting at El Alamein. The British 8th Army under General Montgomery won a decisive Allied victory against Rommel's forces at El Alamein on 4 November 1942, followed by advances across Libya towards Tunisia. British and US troops advanced from French northwestern Africa and the Allied armies in North Africa converged on Tunis. After a last-ditch defence, the Axis forces surrendered in May 1943.