Episode
The World at War: The Desert: North Africa (1940–1943)
Overview
For 2 years the 8th Army and Rommel's Afrika Corps fight in the wastes of North Africa. Finally the tide turns at El Alamein.
Details
- Series
- The World at War
- Season
- Season 1
- Episode
- Episode 8
- Air date
- 1973-12-19
- Runtime
- 60 min
Episode context
The Desert: North Africa (1940–1943) is Episode 8 in Season 1 of The World at War. It aired on 1973-12-19. The runtime is 60 min.
Previous / Next
Episode 7: On Our Way: U.S.A. (1939–1942)
Americans are divided between fighting the Japanese and the Nazis. Hitler solves the problem by declaring war on the U.S.A.
Episode 9: Stalingrad (June 1942-February 1943)
Hitler's early successes in Russia made him reckless and he resolves to capture Stalingrad. The battle lasts six months with the Russians emerging as victors. The Wehrmacht never recovers.
More episodes from this season
Episode 6: Banzai! Japan (1931–1942)
At war since 1931 on the Chinese mainland, the Japanese hope for easy victories over the British and Dutch. And then on December 7th 1941, Japan makes their infamous attack on Pearl Harbour.
Episode 10: Wolfpack: U-Boats in the Atlantic (1939–1944)
In a war of high technology and animal courage, the German U-Boats fight Allied merchantmen, hounding them in packs.
Episode 5: Barbarossa (June–December 1941)
Hitler at last turns his tanks towards Russia. After a succession of devastating victories, the Germans delay and the fierce Russian winter takes a grip.
Episode 11: Red Star: The Soviet Union (1941–1943)
For two years the Soviet Army fights the Germans almost alone. After one of the greatest land battles in history, the nation survives and triumphs - but with a loss of no less than twenty million of its people.
Episode 4: Alone (May 1940–May 1941)
After Dunkirk, Britain faces the German onslaught. Although the RAF wins the Battle of Britain, the cities are blitzed and on the continent, the last Allies are conquered. The outlook is grim.
Episode 12: Whirlwind: Bombing Germany (September 1939–April 1944)
Bomber Command begin bombing German cities by night and the Americans reinforce the attacks by day; a whirlwind of terror and destruction that will win the war.
Episode 3: France Falls (May–June 1940)
France discovers it is woefully unprepared for modern warfare as the Nazi war machine easily skirts around the Maginot Line. Britain retreats and prepares for invasion.
Episode 13: Tough Old Gut: Italy (November 1942-June 1944)
Churchill called Italy the 'soft underbelly of the crocodile' and thought the Allies could cut through it to the heart of Germany. By the soft underbelly turned out to be a 'tough old gut'.
Episode 2: Distant War (September 1939–May 1940)
In Eastern Europe, the full force of the Nazi machine rolls on - but in Britain, an uneasy calm settles on the nation. It is the 'phoney' war, with the sound of distant guns thundering ominously on the horizon…
Episode 14: It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow: Burma (1942–1944)
Vera Lynn sang of a lovely day tomorrow, but the war in Burma was mud and monsoon. Britain's largest army learned to master the jungle and fought the Japanese to standstill.