Other Conflicts During World War 2
North Africa
The North African campaign was a turning point for the Allied countries in which they began to take back territory occupied by Germany
It was a monumental victory and was key in leading the way to the other operations that would help bring an end to the war.
On June 10, 1940 the declaration of Italy's war on Britain and France resulting in conflict. Italian troops in Libya were prompted to fight the British troops (with Commonwealth countries like Canada) in Egypt. Due largely in part to the size of the British and Canadian force, the Italian army was drawn back to the west into Beda Fomm (Libya). 190, 000 Italian troops were later captured as prisoners of war. Despite the Allied advance, it was stopped at El Agheila, where the Afrika Korps prevented any further procedures.
There was a slew of hard battles fought by both sides over control of Libya and Egypt for more than 3 years. Nazi forces ultimately lost the battle for North Africa when they could not break through El Alamein in 1942, despite having established a dominant presence and their multiple attacks on British and Canadian troops in the region. After rigorous fighting at the Second Battle of El Alamein, which lasted from September to November of 1942, German troops decided to retreat west into Tunisia. This retreat was prevented by the Allied ‘Operation Torch’.
Other Battles
While the battle of Africa was central to the Allied victory, other conflicts were also fought during World War 2 They include the Battle of Hong Kong, the Battle of Ortona, and the Battle of the Rhineland.
Hong Kong
Ortona
Rhineland
The North African campaign was a turning point for the Allied countries in which they began to take back territory occupied by Germany
It was a monumental victory and was key in leading the way to the other operations that would help bring an end to the war.
On June 10, 1940 the declaration of Italy's war on Britain and France resulting in conflict. Italian troops in Libya were prompted to fight the British troops (with Commonwealth countries like Canada) in Egypt. Due largely in part to the size of the British and Canadian force, the Italian army was drawn back to the west into Beda Fomm (Libya). 190, 000 Italian troops were later captured as prisoners of war. Despite the Allied advance, it was stopped at El Agheila, where the Afrika Korps prevented any further procedures.
There was a slew of hard battles fought by both sides over control of Libya and Egypt for more than 3 years. Nazi forces ultimately lost the battle for North Africa when they could not break through El Alamein in 1942, despite having established a dominant presence and their multiple attacks on British and Canadian troops in the region. After rigorous fighting at the Second Battle of El Alamein, which lasted from September to November of 1942, German troops decided to retreat west into Tunisia. This retreat was prevented by the Allied ‘Operation Torch’.
Other Battles
While the battle of Africa was central to the Allied victory, other conflicts were also fought during World War 2 They include the Battle of Hong Kong, the Battle of Ortona, and the Battle of the Rhineland.
Hong Kong
- Fought from November 16, 1941 to Christmas day 1941 between Canada's Royal Rifles, Winnipeg Grenadiers and the Japanese Army.
- Ended in a surrender by Canadians on Christmas day, who were tasked with defending the British colony.
- Mostly pointless battle: 557 killed, many sent to die in prisoner-of-war camps
Ortona
- Fought from December 20th 1943 to December 27th 1943
- General Christopher Vokes 1rst Canadian division tasked with taking the seaport of Ortona. Protected by high cliff face and steep ravine along with German soldiers
- Victory: With the help of the armored brigade (infantry)
- After a week of fighting the town was taken, with the German forces retreating on December 27th
- Considered an "unimportant" battle as 1372 Canadians died for a small piece of territory.
- Strangely, enough 25% of the dead were killed in the Mediterranean theater
Rhineland
- Fought from February 8th to March 10th 1945
- 1rst Canadian Army, XXX British Corps. Ninth US Army against German forces.
- Poor weather resulted in a lack of support and mud impeded movement of armed forces
- Victory: West bank of the Rhine cleared as far south as Dusseldorf
- Came at a cost: 23000 Allied deaths, 5300 Canadian
Map of Battle of Africa
A lone tank in Africa