Battle of El-Alamein and Operation Torch

1942

ThesisThe 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.

Who’s WhoAllies● Great Britain ● United States● Australia/New

Zealand

Axis● Nazi Germany● Franco-Germans ● Kingdom of Italy

(Fought for their territory)

Key Roles● Bernard

Montgomery● Erwin Rommel● George Patton● Dwight D.

Eisenhower● Winston Churchill● Franklin D.

Roosevelt

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

Timeline

July 1: Rommel tries to break through British lines

July 3: Allies repel Rommel’s offensive

August 1: -German forces strengthened with Italy-Churchill appoints Montgomery

September 3: Montgomery stockpiles supplies to overwhelm Germans

October 23: Allies attack, Axis counterattacks;Allies advance

November 2: Axis retreats, Allies finally break through

October 26: Both sides redeploy their forces

November 8: British/American troops land in Casablanca (Morocco) and Oran/Algiers (Algeria)

MapMap of Battle of El-Alamein

Braveheart analogyBoth 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

http://cli.ps/TE7V

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

Strategic Map

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

Importance● Battle of El Alamein

o Turning point in North Africa in favor of Allieso Removed Axis powers from Africao Brought the fight for the Western Desert to an endo The combined Allied powers were capable of defeating a

Nazi armyo Defeat of Germans → WWII propaganda for Allies (boosted

morale and support for the war)o US and Britain gained experience and more confidence

against the formidable German army

Importance● Operation Torch

o Contained German expansion to Europeo Blocked off shipping lanes in the Mediterraneano Gave Allies a point to launch into Italyo Capture of Italy was crucial for Britain and the US because it

gave them a foothold for the future liberalization of Europeo Encouraged Franco-Germans to gradually remove

themselves from the Axis side and side with Allieso Also served as practice for when they would invade Italy and

France; higher chance of success (after integrating national armies and generals together)

AftermathIt may almost be said, “Before Alamein we never had a victory. After Alamein we never had a defeat.”

--Winston ChurchillCasualties● Rommel

o 2,349 killed, 5,486 wounded, and 30,121 capturedo Almost all tanks/artillery lost

● Montgomeryo 2,350 killed, 8,950 wounded, and 2,260 missingo 400 tanks lost

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, 1993. Print.

"Operation Torch (Algeria-Morocco Campaign)." United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. United States Holocaust Memorial

Council, 10 June 2013. 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, 2005. Print.