Operation Husky (Invasion of Sicily 1943) was the largest amphibious operation in WW2 Operation Mincemeat was a deception plan carried out by Allied troops. An unknown corpse was dressed in an Allied uniform and sent to sea in Scotland. Attached to the corpse were many highly confidential army plans about an invasion in Sardinia instead of Sicily. The Germans found the corpse and believed the documents, sending many of their troops to Greece.
When the US Army landed in North Africa, among the equipment brought ashore were 3 complete Coca Cola bottling plants. Gran Sasso, the highest point in Italy was where Mussolini was hiding when he surrendered to the Allies on Sept.9 th, No deportation of Jews occurred in Italy until Mussolini declared armistice.
The last commander of the Afrika Corps, General Hans Cramer, was made a POW in Wales after the May 13 th surrender of North Africa. He was very ill and was sent by train to London, he was allowed to see all the tanks and planes being sent off for D-day but he did not know where he was in England. When he went back to Germany, he told the troops they were in S.E. England and attacking Calais, adding to Allied propaganda.
Just before the Battle of El-Alamein, the British army hired men to build an entire battalion of paper tanks and attached them to regular cars. These “tanks” were driven very far north and the Germans followed. This aided in the Allies defeat of German forces.
Battle of Gazala Was fought between May 26- June 21, 1942 Fought around the port of Tobruk Axis combatants consisted of German and Italian Units
Led by “Desert Fox” Colonel-General Erwin Rommel Allied combatants consisted of the Eighth Army Led of Major General Neil Ritchie and General- Sir Claude Auchinleck Resulted in Tobruk being recaptured by Axis powers.
-Battle- Rommel makes a flanking attack Panzer Army Afrika retains the initiative in “the cauldron” The British Armour is heavily defeated Eighth Army withdraws from the Ganzala line Tobruk falls, and is recaptured by the Axis forces.
Took place between August 30- September 5, Last major Axis offensive of the Western Desert Campaign. Rommel planned to defeat the British Eighth Army before Allied reinforcements Would make Axis victory impossible.
-The Battle That Wasn’t- British Eighth Army leader Montgomery was forewarned of Rommel’s intentions. Deliberately left a gap in the southern sector at the front Deployed bulk of his artillery and armor around Alam el Halfa, behind the front. Rommel’s supply was precious, and his attacks were failing, causing him to withdraw. Montgomery did not exploit this “defensive victory”. Decided to save his troops for the upcoming Battle of El Alamein.
Was fought between October 23- November 4, Product of “Operation Lightfoot” Allie’s success in this battle turned the tides in the North Africa Campaign.
-Battle- The Break-in The Crumbling The Counter Operation Supercharge The Break-Out
-Significance:- Proved the power of the British artillery. Proved effectiveness of British tanks in large numbers. Allied victory ended Axis’s hope of occupying Egypt. Marked the end of Axis expansion in Africa.
Second Battle of El Alamein
The Second Battle of El Alamein was a major turning point in the Western Desert Campaign of World War II. This battle lasted from October 23rd to November 5th The success of this battle ended Axis hopes of occupying Egypt, gaining access to Middle Eastern oil fields and controlling access to the Suez Canal. The defeat of the Axis powers by Allied powers at El Alamein ended the Axis expansion in Africa.
German Afrika Korps Axis Powers Italy Commanders
Specifically: Erwin Rommel (The Desert Fox) In charge of Afrika Korps in North Africa. Lead Afrika Korps to help shore up Italian forces. On 24 March 1941 Rommel launched a limited offensive with only the 5th Light Division supported by two Italian divisions.5th Light Division Wanted to expand into Africa and successfully pushed the bounds of Nazi control across the North African region.