Invasion of Egypt (Peace With The East)

The Axis Invasion of Egypt, also known as the Egyptian campaign or Betrieb Fluss (Operation River) was the conquest of Egypt by Axis nations Germany, Spain, and Italy. The invasion began on June 22, 1941, and ended in February 1943. In the end, the capture of Malta allowed fuel ships to reach North Africa, and with extra supplies the Axis conquered Egypt.

The attack came in two directions, with massive German landings at the Delta while a combined Spanish-Italian force to come in from Libya. The Nile Delta campaign was abandoned because of the failure of the western force to defeat the British at El Alamein. With German reinforcements the drive continued and capture Alexandria. The Axis then began a drive toward Cairo, and captured it by February 1942. In the next month the Suez Canal was captured, ending British dominance of the Meditteranean.

The capture of Egypt proved crucial for the Axis war effort. The Axis used Egypt as a springboard into the oil rich Middle East. The oil was then shipped to Japan, which made them decide not to attack America. The Germans occupied most of Egypt, with Italy occupying the Western Desert.