Control over the Mediterranean Sea and the Suez Canal
The African campaign was primarily fought for control of the Mediterranean Sea which if viewed from a map you will see is a large body of water almost completely surrounded by land. The major entry points to the Mediterranean Sea from outside of Europe are the Straits of Gibraltar where the tips of Africa and Europe narrow restricting access to the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean. This is considered one of the two choke points or control areas that limit entry to the Mediterranean Sea. The second choke point or control area is the Suez Canal near Egypt that connects the Mediterranean Sea to both the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. The side that controls these choke points can effectively control the Mediterranean Sea. This made it crucial for both sides to gain control of at least one of these strategic points.
The two major players for control of the Mediterranean were the British Royal Fleet and the Italian Fleet also referred to as Regia Marina (Italian for Royal Navy). The encounters between these two fleets will determine who will have control of the Mediterranean Sea the Allies or the Axis.
Below is a map of the Mediterranean Sea and shows how it connects Europe and Africa. It also shows the control points of Gibraltar and the Suez Canal.
The two major players for control of the Mediterranean were the British Royal Fleet and the Italian Fleet also referred to as Regia Marina (Italian for Royal Navy). The encounters between these two fleets will determine who will have control of the Mediterranean Sea the Allies or the Axis.
Below is a map of the Mediterranean Sea and shows how it connects Europe and Africa. It also shows the control points of Gibraltar and the Suez Canal.