August, 1940 - The War in Africa Begins

Following the fall of France, the Italian navy sat supposedly unopposed in the Mediterranean sea, while 300,000 Italian troops faced a mere 75,000 British in Africa.

Italian forces drove into  British Somaliland, which they occupied between August 5, and 19th, 1940. Meanwhile, more Italian forces invaded Northern Egypt. However on December 9, British Commander-in-Chief, Sir Archibald Wavell lead his troops into Egypt and drove the Italians back into Libya. This success encouraged Wavell to continue advancing  into Libya, which He did, in early January of 1941. The British forces captured the coastal city of Tobruk, and then continued to the small coastal village of Beda Fomm.

Now, with Northern Africa out of the way, Britain turned it's attention to the East. On January 19, British forces marched into Eritrea, and slowly fought the difficult terrain, and hot weather, not to mention some Italian troops. After nearly 3 months of bitter fighting, the vital port of Massawa fell to the British, on April 8.

During this time, three British divisions advanced into Italian Somaliland, and took the capital, Mogadishu,  by February 25. This force then continued on, and drove into Ethiopia, until it entered the town of Jijiga, without opposition.

Hardly giving the Italians time to think, another British force landed at Berberra, a coastal city in British Somaliland, and retook the country. Part of this force then joined the troops at Jijiga.

From Jijiga, the British forces moved west, and found themselves facing a formidable force of Italians at Harar. However, by March 29, both Harar and it's neighbor city, Dire Dawa had fallen to the British. This opened a path to the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa.

Finally, on April 6, Addis Ababa fell to British and Commonwealth forces. The Italian defenders retreated to a Amba Alagi, a mountain stronghold in northern Ethiopia.

The fighting raged until May 19, when the Italian commander realized that his situation was hopeless, and surrendered. The British troops continued cleaning up until November.

This campaign made sure that the Red sea, an important supply route, was controlled by the Allies.

Sources: The Historical Atlas of World War II | Alexander Swanston and Malcolm Swanston,