The German soldiers were in northern Africa as part of the Afrika Korps.
1911-1912. Italy takes control of what is now Libya.
1936, Germany and Italy became allies, signing the “Pact of Steel” to form the Rome-Berlin Axis (hence the Axis name, based on the belief that the world revolved around their fascist power)
September 1939. World War II begins. Italy stays neutral.
May 1940 The German blitzkrieg is launched against the British and French armies in northern France, incidentally conquering Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg.
June 1940: France is clearly losing the war. Eager to get some of the spoils, Mussolini declares war against France and attacks in the south. This also brings him into the war against Britain.
France falls. Britain stays in the war. Britain attacks Libya from Egypt. In April 1941, Italy is losing badly. Hitler sends men, tanks and aircraft to prop up the Italians against the British Eighth Army. Hitler also hopes that he can push through Egypt to the Suez Canal. Taking Suez might force Britain out of the war, so it’s a worthwhile gamble. Except the war gets stalemated; the British and Axis forces go back and forth across the northern Africa coast for almost two years. By the time the Americans and British force the Axis out of northern Africa, Hitler has lost about as many men as he loses at Stalingrad.
The German soldiers were in northern Africa as part of the Afrika Korps.
1911-1912. Italy takes control of what is now Libya.
1936, Germany and Italy became allies, signing the “Pact of Steel” to form the Rome-Berlin Axis (hence the Axis name, based on the belief that the world revolved around their fascist power)
September 1939. World War II begins. Italy stays neutral.
May 1940 The German blitzkrieg is launched against the British and French armies in northern France, incidentally conquering Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg.
June 1940: France is clearly losing the war. Eager to get some of the spoils, Mussolini declares war against France and attacks in the south. This also brings him into the war against Britain.
France falls. Britain stays in the war. Britain attacks Libya from Egypt. In April 1941, Italy is losing badly. Hitler sends men, tanks and aircraft to prop up the Italians against the British Eighth Army. Hitler also hopes that he can push through Egypt to the Suez Canal. Taking Suez might force Britain out of the war, so it’s a worthwhile gamble. Except the war gets stalemated; the British and Axis forces go back and forth across the northern Africa coast for almost two years. By the time the Americans and British force the Axis out of northern Africa, Hitler has lost about as many men as he loses at Stalingrad.