Table of Contents
Why was the Suez Canal important during ww2?
The Suez Canal allows one to travel from the Mediterranean or North Atlantic to the Indian Ocean without having to circumvent the continent of Africa. A ship traveling from the UK to India could expect to save 2 weeks travel time by using the canal.
What would have happened if Germany won in North Africa?
If the Axis powers had won in North Africa, Italy would not have been invaded by the Allies. It would have continued to be a worthy partner for Germany. The Axis powers would probably have won control of the whole Mediterranean. They would be able to tap its resources and also they would receive a mighty morale boost.
Why was El Alamein a turning point in ww2?
It ended the long fight for the Western Desert, and was the only great land battle won by the British and Commonwealth forces without direct American participation. The victory also persuaded the French to start cooperating in the North African campaign.
What happened to the Suez Canal in ww2?
During the two World Wars, the Suez Canal came under attack. Soon after the outbreak of World War One, Britain declared Egypt a protectorate and British and Indian forces were sent to protect the canal. The fighting ebbed and flowed until 1942, when Axis forces seemed poised to break through to the Suez Canal.
Why is the Suez Canal important to the British after ww2?
The Suez Canal is a man-made waterway connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean via the Red Sea. It enables a more direct route for shipping between Europe and Asia, effectively allowing for passage from the North Atlantic to the Indian Ocean without having to circumnavigate the African continent.
Was the Suez Canal open during ww2?
Who won the 2nd Battle of El Alamein?
Fought near the western frontier of Egypt between 23 October and 4 November 1942, El Alamein was the climax and turning point of the North African campaign of World War Two (1939-45). The Axis army of Italy and Germany suffered a decisive defeat by the British Eighth Army.
What impact did the Battle of El Alamein have on ww2?
Battles of El-Alamein, (1–27 July 1942, 23 October—11 November 1942), World War II events. After the First Battle of El-Alamein, Egypt (150 miles west of Cairo), ended in a stalemate, the second one was decisive. It marked the beginning of the end for the Axis in North Africa.
How did Erwin Rommel lose the Second World War?
From early February to late May 1942 Rommel was halted by the heavily mined British defensive line, which ran from Gazala in the north to Bir Hacheim in the south. At the end of May 1942 the Germans launched a fresh offensive and, after two weeks of heavy fighting, broke through.
Was Erwin Rommel’s Afrika Korps a sideshow?
Rommel’s daring exploits at the head of the Afrika Korps (later enlarged and renamed Panzerarmee Afrika) were exciting, to be sure, but many officers in his own army reckoned them an ultimately valueless sideshow.
What happened when Erwin Rommel captured Tobruk?
The Germans captured both British generals from their unescorted staff car on the night of April 6. Rommel drove rapidly to the east, surrounding Tobruk on April 10. Unable to take the port on the run, he left a siege force of mostly Italian units there and continued his push for the Egyptian border.
How far did the Afrika Korps travel in WW2?
By April 11, the Germans had surrounded the Libyan coastal fortress of Tobruk while smaller formations pressed on to the east, taking Bardia and reaching the Egyptian border at Sollum and Ft. Capuzzo. This was top-speed maneuver, and the distances were vast, with the Afrika Korps covering more than 600 miles in less than two weeks.