Figure 1.--This Libyan boy, presumably with grandfather, was photograph by a soldier in the Afrika Korps in 1941 or 42. Hitler's insertion of German troops prevented Italian collapse and set up the sea-saw campaign in the Western Desert. Unlike the Arabs to the west of Libya, the Libans saw the British as potential liberators. The Italians had conducted a brutal colonial war during the 1920s to turn Libya into a compliant colony.

Most of the Middle East was dominated by Britain and France thus the rise of European Fascist in Italy and Germany appealed to many Arab nationalists. Libya was an exception because the colonial power was Italy. As Europe moved toward war, Libyan nationalists began to see that Italian defeat in a war would create an opportunity for independence. After Germany invaded Poland and launched Wotld war II (Seprember 1939), Italian nationalists mets in Alexandria, Egypt (October 1939). Sayid Idris emerged as the most prominent leader, but the nationalist movement was badly divided. The early victories of Italian ally NAZI Germany were, however, not incouraging for the Libyan nationalists. Italy entered the War once the German victory over France was assured (June 1940). At first it seemed that the massive Italian army in Libya would easily overwealm the British in Egypt. Nationalist forces were divided on how they should react. Some (the Cyrenaicans and Idris) supported the British. Others (the Tripolitanians) were more hesitant, fearing that the Axis might win the War. Formal meetings in Cairo with Idris and some of the nationalists resulted in a formal afreement by the nationalists would support the British and the British would support a move toward independence after the WAr (August 1940). The Italians invaded Egypt (September 1940), but were defeated by a small British force which invaded Libya. This suprising British victory surprised the Libyan nationalists and first created the realistic prospect that the Italians would be defeated. The Libyan Arab Force commonly referred to as the Sanusi Army was small, but did assist the British during the campaigns in the Western Desert. German intervention in Libya resulted in a sea-saw battle that was not settled until the decisive Battle of El Alemaine (October 1942). The British 8th Army then proceeded to drive the Afrika Korps out of Egypt and Libya and liked up with the Allied Norces landed in Morocco and Algeria as part of Operation Totch. The German and Italian forces finally surremdered in Tunisia (May 1943). Possession of Cyrenaica (eastern Libya) provided airbases from which targets in NAZI-domicated Europe could be attacked from the south. The first attacks on the vital Ploesti oil fields in Romania came from Libyan bases. After the Allied invasion of Italy (September 1943), Libya became a backwater of the War.

World War I

Itlalian Colony

Libya was the only Arab/Muslim that was a part of the Axis world at the start of the War. NAZI propaganda had little impact on Libya which was an Italian colony. The Italian Fascists conducted a brutal colonial war in the 1920s, even employing poison gas. They then began to colonize the country with Italian settlers. The goal was to displace or Italianize the Arabs. This was similar to French policy in Algeria, but was very different from British policies. Thus the Libyans turned to the British for assistance.

NAZI Propaganda

Most of the Middle East was dominated by Britain and France thus the rise of European Fascist in Italy and Germany appealed to many Arab nationalists. Libya was an exception because the colonial power was Italy. NAZI/FAscist anti-British propaganda in Libya had little impact. They had experienced Fascist brutality before the rest of the world. The rest of the Arab world, however, did not seem to recognize the potential dangers of a Fascist dominated world or the the possibility that the Fascist would be a much more brutal colonial master. Even in neighboring Egypt where the British were in the process of withdrawing bfore the War, the dangers of Fascism had little impact. In fact important nationalist groups embrazed the NAZIs.

Libyan Nationalists

As Europe moved toward war, Libyan nationalists began to see that Italian defeat in a war would create an opportunity for independence. After Germany invaded Poland and launched Wotld war II (Seprember 1939), Italian nationalists mets in Alexandria, Egypt (October 1939). Sayid Idris emerged as the most prominent leader, but the nationalist movement was badly divided. The early victories of Italian ally NAZI Germany were, however, not incouraging for the Libyan nationalists.

Italian Declaration of War

Italy entered the War once the German victory over France was assured (June 1940).

Nationalist Response

Nationalist forces were divided on how they should react. Some (the Cyrenaicans and Idris) supported the British. Others (the Tripolitanians) were more hesitant, fearing that the Axis might win the War. Formal meetings in Cairo with Idris and some of the nationalists resulted in a formal afreement by the nationalists would support the British and the British would support a move toward independence after the War (August 1940).

Italian Invasion of Egypt

Once it was clear that the French Army was defeated, Mussolini decided to join Hitler and declared war on France and Britain. Even though German armies were pouring through France, Mussolini's attack in the south was unsuccessful. At first it seemed that the massive Italian army in Libya would easily overwealm the British in Egypt.Mussolini also invaded Egypt from Libya, hoping to seize the Suez Canal (September 13, 1940). Although badly outnumbered the British 8th Army stopped the Italians. The Italians invaded Egypt (September 1940), but were defeated by a small British force which invaded Libya.

Sanusi Army

This suprising British victory surprised the Libyan nationalists and first created the realistic prospect that the Italians would be defeated. The Libyan Arab Force commonly referred to as the Sanusi Army was small, but did assist the British during the campaigns in the Western Desert.

British Invade Libya

The British counter attacked (December 9, 1940). The British move toward Benghazi with a series of victories. The Italians were near collapse.

Afrika Korps

German intervention in Libya resulted in a sea-saw battle in the Western Desert. Hitler in order to prevent the fall of Libya orders a small armoured force to Libya to support the Italians. The force under Erwin Rommel begins to arrive March 22, 1941. Rommel and his Africa Korps stop the British and even though he has only a small force launches a counter-attack (March 30, 1941). Rommel drives the British back into Egypt. Here Rommel's inovatic tactics and the superority of the German Panzers were critical. ANZAC resistance at Tobruck helps to stop Rommel. A British counter offensive drive Rommel and the Italians back into Libya (November 18, 1941). Rommel strikes and again drives into Egypt (January 21, 1942). This time Rommel takes Tobruk (June 21, 1942). He moves toward Suez, but is stopped after a ferocious battle at El Alemain (July 2, 1942). >br>

Allied Victory

The campaign in the Western Desert was not settled until the decisive Battle of El Alemaine (October 1942). A standoff occurs as the two armies prepare for a show down. Churchill gives Montgomery command of the 8th Army (August 13, 1942). This is thehighwater of the German war effort. Rommel is only a few miles from Suez and Von Paulitz's 6th Army is investing Stalingrad. Here America's entry into the War begins to swing the ballance. American industry provided Montgomery, with supplies and equipment in massive quantities. The Germans bogged down in the Soviet Union can not devote the men are material needed by Rommel. The British defeat of the Italian Navy in the Mediterrean means that much of the supplies sent to Rommel are sunk. The British are assisted in this effort by Ultra. The British 8th Army then proceeded to drive the Afrika Korps out of Egypt and Libya and liked up with the Allied Forces landed in Morocco and Algeria as part of Operation Torch. The German and Italian forces finally surremdered in Tunisia (May 1943).

Cyrenica Air Bases

Possession of Cyrenaica (eastern Libya) provided airbases from which targets in NAZI-domicated Europe could be attacked from the south. The first attacks on the vital Ploesti oil fields in Romania came from Libyan bases. After the Allied invasion of Italy (September 1943), Libya became a backwater of the War.

Created: 5:17 AM 5/14/2008
Last updated: 5:17 AM 5/14/2008