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REC // BRIEFING
// OPERATION BRIEFING · THEATER FILE

WesternDesertcampaign

1940–1943

The Western Desert campaign was an interstate war from 1940 to 1943 fought by the United Kingdom, India, and Australia against Italy and Germany.

OUTCOME
DECISIVE VICTORY A
Era
1940–1943
SIDES
7
⚔ CONFLICT INTERSTATE WAR

WesternDesertcampaign

⚔ World War II · 1939–1945 is part of this war
{{ubl| | | | | | | Libyan Arab Force| | | | | | Yugoslavia}} United Kingdom India Australia South Africa Serbia
VS
{{ubl| | | }} Italy Germany
Start: 11.06.1940 End: 04.02.1943 Duration: 2 years 7 months 28 days Participants: 7 countries
Overview
Sides
Chronology
Outcomes
01 / Overview
Western Desert campaign
Date
1940–1943
Type
interstate war
Duration
2 years 7 months 28 days
Participants
United Kingdom India Australia South Africa Serbia Italy +1
Outcome
decisive victory a
Parent War
World War II
02 / Sides
Belligerents 7 participants
{{ubl| | | | | | | Libyan Arab Force| | | | | | Yugoslavia}}
United Kingdom United Kingdom Primary India India Primary Australia Australia Primary South Africa South Africa Secondary Serbia Serbia Secondary
VS
{{ubl| | | }}
Italy Italy Primary Germany Germany Primary
03 / Outcomes
Outcome & Human Cost
🏆Decisive Victory — Side A
Side / CountryMilitaryCivilianDisplaced
United Kingdom35,476——
Italy32,342——
FIRST DEFENSE DEALS AFTER WAR 20 deals
Year Weapon / Product Seller Buyer Type Value
1944 Mortaio da 81/14 Modello 35 Italy Germany second-hand —
1944 10.5 cm leFH 18 Germany Finland aid —
1944 10.5 cm leFH 18 Germany France aid —
1944 Stinson L-5 Sentinel United States United Kingdom aid —
1944 Stinson L-5 Sentinel United States United Kingdom aid —
1944 Colony-class frigate United States United Kingdom aid —
1945 Caproni Ca.309 Italy Argentina second-hand —
1945 Focke-Wulf Ta 152 Germany Japan license-production —
1946 Short Sandringham United Kingdom United Kingdom new-build —
1946 V-class submarine United Kingdom Norway second-hand —
1946 Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero Italy Lebanon new-build —
1946 Stinson L-5 Sentinel United States Italy Sale —
1947 Meteor NF11 United Kingdom Argentina new-build —
1947 Gloster Meteor United Kingdom Argentina license-production —
1947 Meteor F4 United Kingdom Argentina new-build —
1947 Colony-class frigate United Kingdom Argentina second-hand —
1947 YMS-1-class minesweeper United Kingdom Poland second-hand —
1948 Short Sandringham United Kingdom United Kingdom new-build —
1948 Loch-class frigate United Kingdom New Zealand second-hand —
1948 BYMS-class minesweeper United Kingdom Finland second-hand —
📚 Sources
  1. Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP)
  2. Correlates of War (CoW) project
  3. Official archives and academic literature