North Africa in WW2

[ClassicStripe]

I don't know much about the wars but do find them interesting to learn about. I am reading a book on D Day and the keep mentioning men having served in Africa. I've always known Africa was involved but have never understood how. Can someone explain to me as if I was a child?

It was over control of the Suez Canal and oil from the Middle East.

Spot on @Express0 . Italy were in a good position to close off the Med. If control of Suez was lost, ships from the Middle East would have to come round the Cape of Good Hope. Try reading about the Western Desert Campaign and the Battle of El Alamein. Soldiers who fought in this area were known as Desert Rats. My Grandad was in the 8th Army and fought at El Alamein.

This explains quite well.

encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/allied-military-operations-in-north-africa#:~:text=They%20were%20strategically%20important%20for,empire%20in%20Asia%20and%20Africa.

Treat yourself to Spike Milligan's autobiographical books about his service in WW2 in North Africa. It's where he met fellow Goon, Harry Secombe.

The books are quite short, moving and yet very funny.

I LOVE Spike Milligan’s war diaries, it so good to see someone mention them.

Suez was vitally important. But Max Hastings has written an amazing book about all of WWII called All Hell Let Loose, and he talks about how some of the North Africa and Pacific battles being continued so they could, essentially, keep the war going until they were ready to launch the invasion of Europe.