1. Battle of El-Alamein and Operation Torch
1942

2. Thesis
The turning point of the Allies’ expulsion of the Axis in North Africa at the battle of El-Alamein during Operation Torch allowed the Allies to penetrate Nazi Germany via southern Italy and begin the liberation of Europe.

3. Who’s Who Allies Great Britain United States Australia/New Zealand
Axis
Nazi Germany
Franco-Germans
Kingdom of Italy (Fought for their territory)

4. Key Roles Bernard Montgomery Erwin Rommel George Patton
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Winston Churchill
Franklin D. Roosevelt

5. Background
The U.S military was extremely untested and had seen very little combat unlike the very seasoned German Wehrmacht
Majority of Northeast Africa was in Allied control, allowing for a land and sea invasion
The U.S and the British knew they could not invade mainland Europe at this point
The Axis had many air bases in the Mediterranean region making it difficult to invade the eastern parts of North Africa

6. Timeline
November 8: British/American troops land in Casablanca (Morocco) and Oran/Algiers (Algeria)
September 3: Montgomery stockpiles supplies to overwhelm Germans
July 3: Allies repel Rommel’s offensive
October 26: Both sides redeploy their forces
July 1: Rommel tries to break through British lines
October 23: Allies attack, Axis counterattacks;
Allies advance
August 1:
-German forces strengthened with Italy
-Churchill appoints Montgomery
November 2: Axis retreats, Allies finally break through

7. Map
Map of Battle of El-Alamein

8. Braveheart analogy
Both the Allies and the Scottish are going up against a experienced and formidable army
Like the Allies fear a strong Axis counter attack to their landings, William Wallace (Mel Gibson's character) and his army fear they will be crushed by the English

9. Battle Strategy
Stalin pressured the Allies to start a new front near western Europe, so Great Britain and other Allies invaded Axis-occupied north Africa.
Eisenhower wanted to get the 60,000 Franco-German troops to join the allies
Allies performed a pincer movement with the U.S’s central and Eastern task forces invading northern Algeria while George S. Patton and 2nd armored division invaded western Morocco
The U.S had landings in Safi, Mehndia, Oran and Algiers

10. Strategic Map

11. Why did the Allies win? Rommel’s health was failing
Rommel wasn’t getting new troops or equipment
Germany was focusing on Eastern Front
Germans ran out of food, fuel, ammunition, and medical supplies
Montgomery had a larger troop force; Allies outnumbered Axis on ground and air
Montgomery had American supplies and weapons

12. Importance Battle of El Alamein
Turning point in North Africa in favor of Allies
Removed Axis powers from Africa
Brought the fight for the Western Desert to an end
The combined Allied powers were capable of defeating a Nazi army
Defeat of Germans → WWII propaganda for Allies (boosted morale and support for the war)
US and Britain gained experience and more confidence against the formidable German army

13. Importance Operation Torch Contained German expansion to Europe
Blocked off shipping lanes in the Mediterranean
Gave Allies a point to launch into Italy
Capture of Italy was crucial for Britain and the US because it gave them a foothold for the future liberalization of Europe
Encouraged Franco-Germans to gradually remove themselves from the Axis side and side with Allies
Also served as practice for when they would invade Italy and France; higher chance of success (after integrating national armies and generals together)

14. Aftermath
It may almost be said, “Before Alamein we never had a victory. After Alamein we never had a defeat.”
--Winston Churchill
Casualties
Rommel
2,349 killed, 5,486 wounded, and 30,121 captured
Almost all tanks/artillery lost
Montgomery
2,350 killed, 8,950 wounded, and 2,260 missing
400 tanks lost

15. Works Cited
"Allies Win at El Alamein." WW2 History. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2014.
Meyer, Leo J. "Decision To Invade North Africa." Decision To Invade North Africa. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 May 2014.
Moody, Sidney C. War in Europe. Novato, CA: Presidio, Print.
"Operation Torch (Algeria-Morocco Campaign)." United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. United States Holocaust Memorial
Council, 10 June Web. 14 May 2014.
“Operation Torch - the Allied Invasion of Africa Timeline.” Second World War History. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2014.
"The Battle of Al-Alamein." TourEgypt.net. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2014.
Tucker, Spencer, and Roberts Priscilla Mary. Encyclopedia of World War II: A Political, Social, and Military History.
Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, Print.