The War in the Medirerranean

When Italy joined the war in 1940 they launched massive attacks into Egypt and British Somali land to try to win the war in Africa as quickly as possible. They also began sieging the British island base at Malta. Mussolini jealous of Hitler’s success decided to attack Greece. Although the Italians made good progress at first the British also wanted to win the war quickly in Africa too, began fighting back. Somali land was reconquered by the British and they pushed into Ethiopia where the Italian armies surrendered quickly due to their low morale and out dated equipment. They also reversed the Italian gains in Egypt and soon started pushing into Libya.

Meanwhile in Greece the Italian armies were suffering numerous humiliating defeats against a foe they outnumbered and had superior equipment to. The British won several naval battles in the Mediterranean although none of them were big enough to give the British complete control of the sea. The island of Malta also held against Italian attacks.

In late March 1942 Yugoslavia joined the Axis but the regime was overthrown by a pro British one so Hitler invaded with the help of the Italy, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary all of whom were members of the Axis by this stage. Then Germany sent troops to help the Italians defeat the Greeks. Crete almost held out with the assistance of the British but it fell to the Axis in May. These battles may have been won easily by the Axis, but Yugoslavia and Greece fought guerrilla wars against their occupiers for the rest of the war tying down many troops.

After that Germany sent a force to Libya led by Rommel. The Axis made rapid gains pushing deep into Egypt but the British buckled down and it became clear the war in Africa wouldn't be a quick success for either side.

British Tanks in North Africa