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Chapter 7 The Big Picture: A Short History of World War II
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sides losing about 25 planes, but the RAF stings the Luftwaffe by swatting 35
bombers out of the sky and damaging scores more. The raids on September 15
mark the last major effort by the Luftwaffe to destroy the RAF. On September 17,
Hitler postpones Operation Sealion indefinitely. The scales of victory are now
tipped in favor of the RAF.
During the last weeks of September and into October, the Germans continue
nightly bombing of British cities. While there is much damage and loss of life, the
effect is much less than the English government and military anticipated. Although
German bombing of England will continue until March 1941, the Luftwaffe’s effort
to destroy the RAF has failed.
The British victory in the Battle of Britain changes the course of the war. The
RAF’s triumph points out the weaknesses of the Luftwaffe and Goering’s leader-
ship, and makes possible the next phase of the European air war
the Allied
bombing of Fortress Europe.
The Desert Fox
The North Africa Campaign
Starting in early 1941, Axis and Allied forces surge back and forth across Egypt,
Libya, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia for nearly 18 months. The prize is control of
the Mediterranean Sea, the Middle East and, most importantly, enough oil fields to
slake the victor’s thirst for fuel.
This campaign is important for several reasons. It involves a number of the
key players in the Normandy Campaign, including Eisenhower, Rommel,
Montgomery, Bradley, and Patton. It is the first combat that pits American soldiers
against German soldiers. The campaign reaffirms
the power of the tank, the advantages of air
superiority, and the need for effective supply lines.
General Erwin Rommel, with the sweet taste of
his victories in France and Belgium still lingering,
is given command of the Deutsches Afrika Korps
(Afrika Korps). Rommel immediately begins
pushing east from Tripoli on February 12, 1941.
By April 11, Rommel has performed brilliantly; he
has disregarded orders from above and driven the
British all the way from El Agheila to Tobruk.
There are attacks and counterattacks around
Tobruk, but the British are compelled to retreat
into Egypt on June 17. Rommel’s performance is
masterful; he is now known as the Desert Fox.
General Erwin Rommel in North Africa