- To gain control of the Mediterranean Sea: North Africa was a key strategic location during World War II because it allowed access to the Mediterranean Sea. The Allies wanted to control the Mediterranean Sea to:
- Cut off supplies to the German army in North Africa.
- Open a new front against Germany in Europe.
- Support the Soviet Union, which was fighting Germany on the Eastern Front.
- To capture oil fields: North Africa was also home to several important oil fields. The Allies wanted to capture these oil fields to:
- Deny the Germans access to oil.
- Secure their own oil supplies.
- To support the Free French: The Free French were a group of French soldiers who had fled to England after France fell to Germany in 1940. The Allies wanted to support the Free French in their efforts to liberate France from German occupation.
Italy
- To open a new front against Germany in Europe: Italy was a member of the Axis powers, which also included Germany and Japan. The Allies wanted to open a new front against Germany in Europe to relieve pressure on the Soviet Union and to hasten the end of the war.
- To capture Rome, the capital of Italy: Capturing Rome would be a major symbolic victory for the Allies and would help to undermine Italian morale.
- To support the Italian resistance movement: The Italian resistance movement was a group of Italian civilians who were fighting against the German occupation of Italy. The Allies wanted to support the Italian resistance movement in their efforts to liberate Italy from German occupation.
