Advantages
American troops leap forward to storm a North African beach during final amphibious maneuvers (National Archives 1944).
For the Allies:
- America brought many supplies and soldiers into North Africa to help bring an end to the Campaign.
- Britain already had control of parts of Africa, and France, an ally, held the rest of North Africa.
- British perseverance led to Operation Torch and helped develop an important strategic position that contributed to the isolation and defeat of Germany.
- Britain had control of the waters, especially in the Atlantic Ocean. And Western Africa was surrounded by those waters.
- In Egypt, General Rommel knew that his options at El Alameinwere limited. General Montgomery had the advantage of Bletchley Park feeding him the battle plan Rommel was going to use. Rommel was also seriously starved of the fuel he needed for his attack on Montgomery’s ‘Desert Rats’.
- The second battle at El Alamein meant defeat for Rommel because the Allies had access to (amongst other equipment were 300 new Sherman tanks) an abundance of equipment.
- The Allies wanted to squeeze Germany into a pocket in Tunisia, and they did, forcing them to surrender.
For the Enemies:
- The German Afrika Korps was strong and controlling because of Field Marshal Rommel. Even the Allies admired his tactics and his ability to move accross the Western Desert.
- Germany was able to take control of the Suez Canal for a short period of time where they were able to resupply.
- The Italians and Germans had extremely advanced ships, tanks, and submarines, and they banded together to capture French territory.
For the Allies:
- America brought many supplies and soldiers into North Africa to help bring an end to the Campaign.
- Britain already had control of parts of Africa, and France, an ally, held the rest of North Africa.
- British perseverance led to Operation Torch and helped develop an important strategic position that contributed to the isolation and defeat of Germany.
- Britain had control of the waters, especially in the Atlantic Ocean. And Western Africa was surrounded by those waters.
- In Egypt, General Rommel knew that his options at El Alameinwere limited. General Montgomery had the advantage of Bletchley Park feeding him the battle plan Rommel was going to use. Rommel was also seriously starved of the fuel he needed for his attack on Montgomery’s ‘Desert Rats’.
- The second battle at El Alamein meant defeat for Rommel because the Allies had access to (amongst other equipment were 300 new Sherman tanks) an abundance of equipment.
- The Allies wanted to squeeze Germany into a pocket in Tunisia, and they did, forcing them to surrender.
For the Enemies:
- The German Afrika Korps was strong and controlling because of Field Marshal Rommel. Even the Allies admired his tactics and his ability to move accross the Western Desert.
- Germany was able to take control of the Suez Canal for a short period of time where they were able to resupply.
- The Italians and Germans had extremely advanced ships, tanks, and submarines, and they banded together to capture French territory.
disadvantages
Gen. Erwin Rommel with the 15th Panzer Division between Tobruk and Sidi Omar (National Archives 1941).
For the Allies:
- Britain did not have an abundance of resources, and they were badly defeated in Egypt, allowing Germany to take control.
- The United States was a whole Ocean away from the battle sites.
For the Enemies:
- Because Germany were so far away, and supplies had to be delivered to North Africa via the Mediterranean Sea under the constant threat from submarine and air forces, the Afrika Korps could not get necessary supplies.
- For the western Allies the campaign remained their primary front, and so after the American re-enforcements arrived in increasing numbers, they had a significant numerical advantage.
- A lack of fuel plagued the Afrika Korps.
- Thousands of Italian troops were lost in Libya during the Desert War, and further to this the Italian Navy was also defeated in the Mediterranean Sea.
For the Allies:
- Britain did not have an abundance of resources, and they were badly defeated in Egypt, allowing Germany to take control.
- The United States was a whole Ocean away from the battle sites.
For the Enemies:
- Because Germany were so far away, and supplies had to be delivered to North Africa via the Mediterranean Sea under the constant threat from submarine and air forces, the Afrika Korps could not get necessary supplies.
- For the western Allies the campaign remained their primary front, and so after the American re-enforcements arrived in increasing numbers, they had a significant numerical advantage.
- A lack of fuel plagued the Afrika Korps.
- Thousands of Italian troops were lost in Libya during the Desert War, and further to this the Italian Navy was also defeated in the Mediterranean Sea.