North African Front
The North African Front is a theater of the World War, primarily fought in the deserts of Maghreb and Libya by Germany and America against Italy.
The Conflict
Prelude
Germany had originally planned to invade Great Britain. However, after the Battle of Jutland, in which the Kaiserliche Marine was greatly defeated by the British Royal Navy, and the Battle of Bermuda, where the American navy defeated the Royal Navy at great cost, Germany believed the cost would be too high. As a result, it was believed the best route would be to defeat Italy first, removing a key British ally in Europe. The Sultan of Maghreb agreed to join in exchange for Italian Tunisia.
Deployment
German and American forces landed in Algiers preparing for the invasion. The German African Corps was made supreme command in the region.
Battlefield
The combined American and German forces proved to be superior to their Italian rivals, pushing them back all the way into Libya.
Conditions
Though they were better equipped for the region, the American and Germans did not have sufficient training for the desert. The Americans had initially trained for the jungles of Asia, while the Germans were accustomed to Europe. Nevertheless, they adapted quickly to the terrain. This was coupled by the German leadership being stocked with officers from the Arabic units of the Kaiserliches Eisenbahnkorps.
The Engagement
With the combined armies of the Americans, Germans, and Maghrebi, the Italians fell quickly in time.
Outcome
The North African Front was a success for the alliance, liberating Tunisia and Libya, with the former going to Maghreb.
Comments