✦ History

Western Desert campaign

June 11, 1940 – February 4, 1943

The desert war between the British Commonwealth and the Italian and German armies along the coast of Egypt and Libya, from Italy's entry into the war to the fall of Tripoli and the Eighth Army's arrival in Tunisia.

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Battles 3

December 9, 1940 – February 9, 1941
Operation Compass Sidi Barrani Archibald Wavell, Richard O'Connor, Rodolfo Graziani
April 10 – November 27, 1941
Siege of Tobruk Tobruk
October 23 – November 11, 1942
Second Battle of El Alamein El Alamein Harold Alexander, Georg Stumme

Key commanders

Allies 5

Harold Alexander General, Commander-in-chief, Middle East; Montgomery's superior · 1891–1969 Archibald Wavell General, Commander-in-chief, Middle East · 1883–1950 Richard O'Connor Lieutenant General, Field commander of the Western Desert Force · 1889–1981 Bernard Montgomery belligerent leader · 1887–1976 Claude Auchinleck military commander · 1884–1981

Axis 6

Georg Stumme General, Commander of Panzer Army Africa, 22 September - 24 October 1942; died of a heart attack at the battle's outset · 1886–1942 Rodolfo Graziani Marshal, Commander of the Italian 10th Army · 1882–1955 Erwin Rommel military commander · 1891–1944 Albert Kesselring military commander · 1885–1960 Italo Balbo belligerent leader · 1896–1940 Ugo Cavallero belligerent leader · 1880–1943