North Africa was the longest and most important land campaign fought by New Zealanders in the Second World War. Between 1940 and 1943 British and Commonwealth troops, together with contingents from occupied European countries and the United States, fought an ultimately successful campaign to clear North Africa of German and Italian forces.
Fighting in North Africa stemmed from the area’s strategic importance to the Commonwealth. Italy’s decision in June 1940 to enter the war on Germany’s side seriously jeopardised Britain’s position in Egypt.
As British forces crushed the Italians in Abyssinia, elements of the Deutsches Afrika Korps (German Africa Corps) began arriving in Libya and the 2nd New Zealand Division departed for Greece in March 1941. Both developments ensured that the battle for North Africa would be a lengthy campaign.
The New Zealand Division fell back to the Alamein Line, where it took part in the first Battle of El Alamein. They suffered heavy casualties at Ruweisat Ridge and El Mreir before playing an important role in the second Battle of El Alamein, and the subsequent breakthrough by Allied forces.
The New Zealand Division enters Tunisia fighting fierce battles at Tebaga Gap and Takrouna. In May 1943 Axis forces in North Africa surrender and the New Zealanders begin a long trek back to Egypt.
