The Desert War | World War 2
The Desert War, took place in the deserts of Egypt and Libya and was the main theatre in the North African Campaign during the Second World War. The campaign began in September 1940 with the Italian invasion of Egypt; Operation Compass, a British five-day raid in December 1940, led to the destruction of the Italian 10th Army. Benito Mussolini sought help from Adolf Hitler, who responded with a small German force sent to Tripoli under Directive 22 (11 January). The German Afrika Korps (Generalleutnant Erwin Rommel) was under nominal Italian command but Italian dependency on Nazi Germany made it the dominant partner.
In the spring of 1941, Axis forces under Rommel pushed the British back to Egypt except for the port of Tobruk, where the Siege of Tobruk took place until it was relieved during Operation Crusader. The Axis forces were forced to retire to where they had started by the end of the year. In 1942 Axis forces drove the British back again and captured Tobruk after the Battle of Gazala but failed to gain a decisive victory. On the final Axis push to Egypt, the British retreated to El Alamein, where at the Second Battle of El Alamein the Eighth Army defeated the Axis forces. They were driven out of Libya to Tunisia, where they were defeated in the Tunisian Campaign.
For Hitler, the Eastern Front against the Soviet Union dwarfed the desert war, which was a holding action of secondary importance. The Axis never had sufficient resources or the means to deliver them, to defeat the British. The British missed several opportunities to finish the campaign when they diverted resources to Greece and the Levant in 1941 and the Far East in 1942.
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My dad was there in tripoly and Egypt. Amazingly I found videos where he was captured. This brings me so much joy and knowing how brave my dad was. I'm searching still to find more pics of him to show my children their grandfather. This war must have been hell just by watching the videos uploaded. I salute all soldiers who fraught against the Nazis
Monty was an arrogant sob. The big reason he won was because he was given men and equipment that the previous commanders did not have. It was the way the previous general had dug in at El Alamein that gave Monty a fighting chance.
He was a P.R disaster but he was a good commander he could get the men and material he needed to win and he would not move until he was ready and he had stacked the odds into his favor which kept casualties lower than they could have been.
@@markgrehan3726 I have had 2 replies deleted from this channel. I suspect that the moderator/channel owner loves Monty. I have had many comments deleted in the past and can tell when screw tube deletes them and when the owner of the channel does. I have in the past made many comments on how Monty AND Mack were screw ups. Not one of those were deleted. Lets see if this one gets deleted. If it does, I will block this channel
@@markgrehan3726 Here is an example of what I had said in the past. John Bango 3 weeks ago "Both Monty and Mac were egotistical SOBs. They needlessly got to many men killed. There was no need for the Philippines to be retaken when they did. Go around and isolate like the original plan was. But noooo, Mac had to have it his way. 4" That is copy and past with the four likes.
@@markgrehan3726 Well actually.... General Montgomery for all his personal faults, was in actual fact the Hero of the day. Monty delivered the first victory for Great Britain. Everything before El Alamein had been a disaster, people were asking if Churchill was going to resign. Britain needed its own Hero and that was Monty. Like it or not, everybody rallied round and he had a huge uplifting moral boost to the nation. Sorry, but this is fact.
I think you are regurgitating some memes I knew a few people old men but one thing they said is they never felt he was careless with their lives that’s got say something hasnt it and to be controversial he didn’t go round punching men with combat fatigue
My dad was there for much of this campaign, helping to keep the planes flying. I wish I could remember more of his war stories.
My Father was also there. He was an RAF technician. He was at Abal sware.we have a photo album of aircraft. He learnt Arabic. visited mosques, Ciro musium, traveled down the Nile on a dou
my grandfather was there with reme, he was from south wales uk and was one of the first 20 to sign up in the uk. i was his first grandson and the only one he ever talked about the war to. he gave me a gurkas knife who was his friend and told me some stories about swimming in the nile etc.
@@henryjohnfacey8213 oo
A friend of mine was an RAF aircraft engineer. He checked out a Spitfire which was certified as airworthy, the pilot came along and signed for the aircraft. He took off and after leaving the runway and climbing out, the prop fell off and he just had sufficient height to bail-out. The Spit was a total loss. He told me that once the pilot signed for the aircraft it was no longer his responsibility. I wonder if the pilot is still paying for the Spit.
Me too!!
Can you imagine being inside a steel tank in the desert heat, if you touched the steel from inside that was exposed to the sun you would be burnt. How hot must it have been inside the tank. These guys were the toughest of the tough the Germans would have been the second threat to the brutal heat. Hats off to the tank crews on both sides
There are fans inside a tank....
@@nitinkataria4576 Not much help
Yavol
@@nitinkataria4576 says who?
@@bombsquig Me
I love that the British sense of fair play truly shines in this video. They highlight at 10:30 that there was none of that hellish and obscene sub-human horror that was happening in the Ost. It was a war among gentleman - called Krieg Ohne Hass, or war without hate.
Thank you for making this available, cheers.
Great documentary, by far one of the most balanced, non biased and well researched I have seen. Fantastic, riveting stuff.
The narrator here sounds like Richard Burton! If not, whomever it was, it is done very nicely! Also one of the key comments in the whole video was about General Paulous stating that this side show will become a major event, and will certainly impact Barbarossa, which it turned out did!!!
able to hear this video with one ear, thought my earphones spoilt, turn out it was this video itself
I am getting both channels playing, so it would seem it is either your headphones, or its connection. Are you using an extension cord? If so, it could that connection, which I have encountered from time to time with my headphone extension cord.
...My grandfather served in North Africa (Royal Canadian Engineers). I wish I had been able to document his experiences in the campaign.
"Italian units had dash and elan, but no endurance." Wrong. Just now reading Robin Maughn's book COME TO DUST. He commanded a 4-tank troop in Brit 22nd Armored Brigade during the great air/tank/infantry Crusader battle in N. Africa, November-December 1941. During which Italian "Ariete" armored division crushed his unit, and fought well through the entire bloodbath. As did other Italian units, then and later.
Good documentary mate ,cheers .
Detailed and informative, and a well paced documentary, this is an excellent resource for the War in North Africa.
Very good, thanks.
My great grandfather fought in Egypt in the ww2
9:00 it should be noted, the reason for the English to intercept and sink Italian convoys was due to Enigma Intercepts. Which at the time of this documentary, was still kept secret.
A descent documentary thanks for upload.
My grandfather was in 6th armoured Div. went from North Africa onto Italy. The Division ended the war in Austria as an occupation force.
My grandfather was in this part of the war.. for 2 years..
As was one of my uncles, though I'm not sure for how long. He was in the merchant navy, sunk in the Mediterranean, got to the north African coast and was picked up by the army, who recruited him on the spot. He survived the war but carried mental scars throughout his life.
Thank you for his service! 🎖️
Except for the opening stumble of false discredit to the Italian aircraft, this is a very good presentation.
Ha bloody ha !
Good. Subscribed.
Throughout most of these battles, Rommel only had one light German Panzer Division. 2/3rds of his Army were Italians. When he got the new Tiger tanks in late 1942, he immediately used them to attack the Americans at the Kassarene Pass.
There were only a total of 50 Tiger tanks used by the Germans in North Africa, and these were all used in Tunisia. And the US utter defeat at the battle at the Kassarene Pass was not really a result of the use of the Tiger tanks, but much more due to the US soldiers and officers having no idea how to fight experienced Germans, and their military equipment, like the 88s. Once Patton arrived on the scene, the story changed quite a bit, but Rommel was gone by then as well.
Rommel was a great tactician... but he was no strategist. His drive to El Alamein was ludicrous
Not all his fault. The German High Command and Hitler take some responsibility.
Master of the small battlefield.
That was the downfall of most German generals.
Jerry was after securing the oil fields in Persia (Iran).
@@oldgitsknowstuff And the rich areas of the delta in Egypt and all the MIddle Eastern oil wells.
My grandpa was in ww2
My respects, I hope he walked out of the dust and picked up his life again.
Where was Peinar?
21:53 Looks a lot like Charles Upham VC and bar
Battle ,of North Africa ,on the Allied Side they achieve Victory ,hence the Afrika Korps is on the Waning side.
Just did there duty I'm very interested in the battle of Tobruk
Rommel was given a summer vacation from Europe and Russia.
Rommel liked the idea that there was no SS in North Africa.
What would you like to know ? My Dad was there with the South Notts. He was taken prisoner in June 1942 at the Knightsbridge box during the Battle of Gazala. Also, might I direct you to BBC Miraculous escapes of World War 2. South Notts Hussars at Tobruk. Further, an account by Sgt. Ray Ellis, who fired the last round before the artillery was overrun. The last order given to our troops was 'Fight to the last round ' and then they drove away the tanks and left the artillery to defend the perimeter. Ray Ellis was one of 2 survivors of his Battery. There were another 4 in a reconnaissance Honey tank. An officer and 3 others, my Dad being one of them. I have files and diaries plus regimental history including maps.
Sorry was this made by Goebbels? the allies won, sure Rommel won a lot of battles but was pushed back and eventually thrown out of Africa. This is shocking especially with all the digs at cowardice and incompetence at the British military.
I saw the same and commented above ...utter shite documentary
So why does the new Italian Navy have glass bottom boats? To see the old Italian Navy of course
Me dad to capture in the Fall of Tobruk but I've no hatred against the Germans nor my father they were just soldiers
Not all of them.
Tell that to the Slavs and jews.
Are you saying your Dad was captured in the fall of Tobruk . Your post is not very clear.
A great Hollywood film must be made on it.....
It has . The Desert Fox . Staring James Mason .
@@bak-mariterry9143 That's not exactly based on the same events, see it again
@@bak-mariterry9143 The whole story line thing of events of US and UK WW movies is so biased....
@@bak-mariterry9143 "Play dirtv" with Michael caine ."lce cold in Alex". Etcétera
Rommel Rommel what else matter
South Africa caught the first German general of WW2. Do not ask me his name now.
Wolfgang Weinerschnitzel 🌭
My dad too
The notion that the usual fascist practices with "racial inferiors" weren't carried out in Africa simply because there was no Waffen SS involved is ridiculous. Even if the Afrika Korps wasn't directly involved, there almost certainly would have been political elements with them, such as the Gestapo (itself a part of the SS), not to mention what the Italians had been doing for years before the Germans came.
Absolutely. 👍👍 The myth that genocide & other atrocities were only perpetrated by the S.S. & S.S. Divisions has been disproven a long time ago. Except for those who risked their lives by actively opposing/resisting the Nazi Party, the truth is that (to a greater or lesser degree) all Germans carried out, supported, enabled, excused and/or passively tolerated the evil Nazi agenda...and that includes Rommel & all members of the Afrika Korps. The fact that Rommel & some other German generals finally tried to assassinate Hitler does not change the fact that (a) some of them still believed in Nazi ideals & possessed a Nazi mindset, and (b) for years, they willingly did a lot of the 'dirty work' for Hitler & his Nazi inner circle.
@@derekbaker3279 The Libyan jewish population did not fair well the Italians had half heartedly put German style anti jewish laws around 1938 before the jewish population were members of the Italian fascist party.
Religion isn't a race so how do u call it racial inferiors The Nazis didn't actually attack any race they had black and other races fighting for them just because they thought they were superior doesn't mean a thing it's all communist propaganda to make the Nazis look more evil but they are no different there both scum of the earth
Just to remember that Field Marshal Montgomery beat Rommel 3 times. In Al Alamein, Mareth Line and Normandy.
With masses of America Aircraft, Tanks and millions of tons of war material!
Don't forget the Aussie's famed Desert Rats.
El Alamein
@@gertvanniekerk9783 raspberry to that Britain on its own was mobilising and already outstripping Germany production I know because of Hollywood everyone loves to hate Monty cos he wasn’t fun cuddly
@@georgesingleton3425 desert rats was a collective term
👍❤🇩🇪👍❤🇩🇪👍❤🇩🇪
Not need things the past no things the future thing only prezent please is pas8
Why didn’t the British blow up their fuel dumps prior to withdrawing instead of allowing the enemy to score it ??
Because we British would collect it on our way back. Rommel drove around in a Canadian Chevrolet truck, you just look at the films, its in the background with a big black cross on it. Also, Rommel used British Army goggles, any equipment that was dumped or inadvertently left behind could be collected later as the conflict swung this way and that. Some locations changed hands 5 times during the desert war. Wavell way, Rommel way, now Wavell what again followed by Rommel way again and so on.
Because the royal pigs are not thingking straight at that time.
🇹🇭🙏
"although the italian machines were inferior...." thats like saying a Ferrari or Lambo is inferior to a Vauxhall or VW Beetle 😂
Once the Americans joined the war it was over for Italy and Germany. Is it fair to say that without the United States entering the war England would have been soundly defeated? Not sure, but most likely yes. Without the US entering the war fighting would have been prolonged a minimum of 2, potentially 3 years. When the war actually ended in 1945 US nuclear scientists examined and inspected German efforts at producing a functional atomic bomb and they all agreed that Germany was 18 to 24 months away from having a nuclear weapon. Scary.
Don’t think so you overlook the Soviet Union too. Warfare and History is rarely as simple as Hollywood weak documentaries and national hubris make it appear
The Americans certainly kept the U.K in the war but I don't think the U.S entering the war meant the end for the Axis powers but it certainly sped up that end. They were the arsenal of freedom and their weapons and ammunition were vital but the Soviets ended the Nazi empire. And as for the U.K it probably would have not been invaded but alone and isolated it would have been on a cold war footing until eventually making a peace with a Nazi-controlled Europe.
The Soviet Union would have destroyed the German military & occupied Berlin, even if the U.S.A. had not gotten involved. The Lend Lease materials that the Soviet Union received from Great Britain, Canada, and the U.S.A. was equivalent to 4% of total Soviet production during WWII. Furthermore, virtually none of the Lend Lease materials that the Soviet Union received arrived at the Eastern Front before the Germans had been stopped at the gates of Moscow, then dealt a crushing defeat at Stalingrad (afterwhich, Germany had no chance of defeating the Soviets). However, because of the western Allies (obviously including the U.S.A.), Germany's air defences were worn down in a long battle of attrition, some of Germany's manufacturing & infrastructure was crippled, some divisions Germany desperately needed on the Eastern Front had to be diverted to western Europe, North Africa & Italy, and Germany's access to key sources of oil (which they had been purchasing from the U.S.A. & Venezuala) was cut off. In addition to taking Italy out of the war & recapturing western Europe, the massive effort & sacrifices made by the western Allies weakened Germany's ability to fight the Soviets, to some degree improved the Red Army's ability to supply its frontline troops, and to some degree make it easier for the Red Army to take full advantage of their victories against the German defences. Consequently, IMHO, the western Allies helped the Soviets to get to Berlin faster than if the Soviets had been on their own. Not only that, but the massive effort & significant sacrifices made by the western Allies also enabled the western Allies to capture useful German scientists & potentially helpful German generals (e.g. Halder, von Manstein, Guderian...). Last but most certainly not least, by landing in Normandy & freeing western Europe, the western Allies would have discouraged Stalin from ordering his armies to continue to push west after taking Berlin, occupy the industrial heartland of Germany & take control of relatively wealthy parts of western Europe (this all assumes that Stalin was thinking of doing so in the first place, which probably wasn't the case, but it was a huge concern at the time, especially in Churchill's mind). Regarding Germany's nuclear program, there has been much debate about the claims made soon after the war in Europe ended (which you have shared). From what I have read/watched, Germany did not have access to enough Uranium ore, and it lacked sufficient resources/equipment to 'manufacture' the required amounts of Heavy Water & refined Uranium. (Let's keep in mind that, for the western Allies, it took contributions from many nations & a location far away from enemy threats to make the Manhattan Project a success.) Therefore, the idea that Germany was within 1 or 2 years of creating 'the bomb' is considered by many to be far too 'optimistic'.
@@daviddou1408 So the war in Europe would have been over in May 1942 if Hitler had not declared war on the USA on 11 December 1941? If Britain and the USSR surrendered then yes.
David Dou 3 weeks ago "It was prolonged for 3 years after the US finally entered"
There are truly some horrible mistakes in this video!
The imperfection is beautiful. :D
Such as?
Animated History what are the mistakes?
Speak up!
@@daviddou1408 Any specific examples?
What a load of utter tripe this video is ....should be renamed the Rommel and Afrika Korps appreciation documentary.......focusing on the myth that Rommel was a desert god .....and playing down the British and Commonwealth forces as inept and badly led ......for those of you who dont know .....the British and Commonwealth forces won in North Africa they beat the Germans and Italians soundly and drew thousands of much needed German troops away from the war in Russia on the eastern front and helping the Russian war efforts enormously.
Extremely stupid video...the most important battle Montgomery vs Rommel left out..
Wow, think how much help the Americans could've been if they'd been in Africa. But, like this documentary shows, Monte and the British won Africa all on their own! (This is sarcasm for you slow people)
The Americans were in Africa. Supplied millions of tons of Weaponry, all sorts, to the british empire armies and The massive American invasion force from Casablanca Tunisia Saved the British!-read Operation 'Torch".
More Brit haters!