North Africa
A war is fueled by food, men, and weapons. A war is built off of resources, and that was what fighting in North Africa was all about, survival of the fittest, and the need of resources. North African Campaign was started in September 1940, by the Italians, who attacked the Egypt. Many battles raged between the fierce leaders, Erwin Rommel and Archibald Wavell in the deserts in Libra and Egypt. Finally the battles ended after the Allied success of Operation Torch in Algeria and Morocco. Having control of North Africa in 1943, the Allies gain ground on the Italians and Germany leading to the end of the war.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s allies underestimated Japan’s abilities, and their low expectations brought a great defeat upon themselves. The war began on the 8th of December, 1941. The Japanese outnumbered the allied troops, 4 to 1. The war was known as the ‘Defence of Hong Kong’ or the ‘Fall of Hong Kong.’ It was one of the first battles of the pacific fought during World War II. On the same morning that the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour, they also attacked the British Crown colony of Hong Kong. The Japanese violated international law because they had not declared war on the British Empire. The battle lasted until December 25 of the same year. Hong Kong suffered a great loss as did the allied countries of Canada, Britain, India, and China that came to fight alongside them. Japan took thousands of prisoners and some were not released for almost 3 and 1/2 years after the war was over. There have been many memorials raised to remember the thousands of men and women that fought so bravely to support Hong Kong during this Battle of Hong Kong.
|
Burma
The Burma Campaign was an essential part of World War 2. It lasted from 1940-45, with many lives lost for the Allies and the Axis. Burma, now known as Myanmar, was a small country near India, where the British had a stronghold and colonies. The Japanese discovered it, and sought to destroy it immediately. India was one of the only food sources for the Axis, so they were very protective of Burma. The Japanese goal was to capture Rangoon, the capital of Burma, and then take the rest of the country from there. What happened ended up being completely different from what they planned, when the Allies ended up winning after 5 long. Hard years of fighting.