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Uncover the true stories behind the fight for Italy and North Africa
Welcome to The Briefing Room – a historical dive into World War Two campaigns that pitted dogged Allied soldiers against both the infamous ‘Desert Fox’ in North Africa, and the stout defences of the Wehrmacht on the Italian Peninsula.
Pick a location below to get started
September 1943
Over two weeks, a massive Allied invasion force swarmed the shores of Italy at crucial locations – including the ancient settlement of Salerno.
Less well-known than the Normandy landings but no less significant, what happened next would turn the tide for the fight to liberate Europe.
Explore the costly attacks on the Italian coast, with expert insights from Bill Beigel, and learn about the US army’s pivotal introduction to the conflict.
Discover remarkable insights into the landings, and how they compared to D-Day, as well as true stories covering everything from an unprecedented mutiny that hit the Allied ranks, to the courageous minesweepers who risked life and limb on the beaches.
1 July – 11 November 1942
Pinned back in North Africa by the ferocious advance of Erwin Rommel, the Allies made their stand – and counter-offensive – at El Alamein.
What came next would prove a decisive engagement in the war, and warfare itself, thick with fascinating tactical twists and turns. Reputations would be forged, and legends born.
Explore our detailed account of the battle itself (which was actually two battles), with expert insights from Professor Simon Ball, and discover the origins, rise to prominence and heroism of ‘The Desert Rats’ – who played a pivotal role.
Uncover a movie depiction from the Italian point of view, and find out everything you need to know about the tanks of the desert campaign, including how they compared to one another.
10 April – 27 November 1941
A key African city on the Mediterranean coast, Tobruk would become the stage for remarkable scenes of resilience and determination – and an infamous siege.
Forced to hold out for months against the combined might of German and Italian forces, the Allied garrison in Libya attempted to stand firm, and fight.
Discover intricate details about the battle, with expert insights from Dr Robert Lyman, and unearth the iconic tale of Tom Derrick and the Australian defenders of Tobruk, whose deeds have gained near-mythic status.
Learn about Hollywood’s star-studded take on events, and unlock eye-opening facts and statistics on the siege – across land, sea and air.
23 October - 11 November 1942
Advancing into Italy following the landings at Salerno and Operation Avalanche, the Allies came up against their toughest challenge yet – the Nazi’s feared ‘Gustav Line’.
In a bid to break-through to Rome, an international coalition of forces were sent to capture the hill at Monte Cassino. But this would be far from simple.
Find out just how foolhardy the strategy was, with expert insights from Matthew Parker, and learn about the ‘impossible’ obstacles the Allies faced.
Explore a film about the events released just one year later, and immerse yourself in the incredible story of the Polish Corps – whose brave journey and sacrifice has echoed down the generations.
Location coming soon
High up in the mountainous terrain of southern Italy, the capital of the Basilicata region saw fierce fighting around it, as Allied forces sought to gain ground following their initial invasion.
Find out just how foolhardy the strategy was, with expert insights from Matthew Parker, and learn about the ‘impossible’ obstacles the Allies faced.
Explore the costly attacks on the Italian coast, with expert insights from Bill Beigel, and learn about the US army’s pivotal introduction to the conflict.
Location coming soon
South of Rome, at the beginning of 1944, the seaside location of Anzio became the setting for a major amphibious assault – led by numerous ships, aircraft and troops, and supported by the Italian Resistance.
Find out just how foolhardy the strategy was, with expert insights from Matthew Parker, and learn about the ‘impossible’ obstacles the Allies faced.
Explore the costly attacks on the Italian coast, with expert insights from Bill Beigel, and learn about the US army’s pivotal introduction to the conflict.
Location coming soon
This small, Adriatic coastal town found itself at the centre of a terrible and bloody close-quarter battle, as Canadian soldiers and German paratroopers clashed among its shattered streets.
Find out just how foolhardy the strategy was, with expert insights from Matthew Parker, and learn about the ‘impossible’ obstacles the Allies faced.
Explore the costly attacks on the Italian coast, with expert insights from Bill Beigel, and learn about the US army’s pivotal introduction to the conflict.
Location coming soon
In a bid to weaken and destroy crucial air and road infrastructure in the area, the Allies carried out a series of devastating bombings. The results would be catastrophic for local civilians.
Find out just how foolhardy the strategy was, with expert insights from Matthew Parker, and learn about the ‘impossible’ obstacles the Allies faced.
Explore the costly attacks on the Italian coast, with expert insights from Bill Beigel, and learn about the US army’s pivotal introduction to the conflict.
Location coming soon
Before the Allies could attack Italy, they must first invade Sicily. Standing in their way was an elevated coastal defence, boasting Axis battalions, fortified machine-gun positions, and anti-tank weapons.
Find out just how foolhardy the strategy was, with expert insights from Matthew Parker, and learn about the ‘impossible’ obstacles the Allies faced.
Explore the costly attacks on the Italian coast, with expert insights from Bill Beigel, and learn about the US army’s pivotal introduction to the conflict.
Location coming soon
To protect Rome from the Allied advance, German forces under Albert Kesselring built a formidable array of fortifications across the country – leading to devastating clashes at Monte Cassino and Anzio.
Find out just how foolhardy the strategy was, with expert insights from Matthew Parker, and learn about the ‘impossible’ obstacles the Allies faced.
Explore the costly attacks on the Italian coast, with expert insights from Bill Beigel, and learn about the US army’s pivotal introduction to the conflict.
Location coming soon
During the desert campaigns of 1941-1943, this Libyan town saw a number of crucial engagements between British divisions, Italian brigades and the feared Afrika Korps of Erwin Rommel.
Explore our detailed account of the battle itself (which was actually two battles), with expert insights from Professor Simon Ball, and discover the origins, rise to prominence and heroism of ‘The Desert Rats’.
Discover intricate details about the battle, with expert insights from Dr Robert Lyman, and unearth the iconic tale of Tom Derrick and the Australian defenders of Tobruk.
Location coming soon
Allied forces under the British suffered a crushing defeat here at the hands of their German and Italian enemies. The battle is a tale of bold manoeuvres, misjudged advances, and strategic innovation.
Explore our detailed account of the battle itself (which was actually two battles), with expert insights from Professor Simon Ball, and discover the origins, rise to prominence and heroism of ‘The Desert Rats’.
Discover intricate details about the battle, with expert insights from Dr Robert Lyman, and unearth the iconic tale of Tom Derrick and the Australian defenders of Tobruk.
The Allies advanced into Italy with a huge advantage in tanks – using these to break resistance at ports such as Salerno, and fielding almost 2,000 at Monte Cassino alone.
However, the path towards victory for these armoured divisions would be far from an easy one.
While the Italian campaign is synonymous with ‘boots on the ground’ in colossal numbers, crucial actions also took place far above the ground.
Allied air dominance had proven a considerable asset during the capture of Sicily, and continued to be pivotal to British and US advances on the mainland.
However, the German Luftwaffe would not allow the invaders to have it all their way.
Ground forces defending crucial ports such as Salerno and Anzio were supported by Axis air strikes on the advancing Allies.
Meanwhile, an airborne arms race was taking place. The Fritz X – a radio-controlled anti-ship bomb that could be launched from the skies – posed a major new threat to
Allied naval craft.
For their part, the Allies continued to:
Experience the North African and Italian campaigns in-game with Company of Heroes 3.
This major new release in the popular WW2 strategy series combines tactics and action, allowing you to command the war effort in Italy, and relive Tobruk and El Alamein in North Africa.
Pre-order or purchase it now on PC, PlayStation or Xbox.
Explore our interactive map as a General would, taking a bird’s eye view of the conflict before zooming in to examine key locations and battles.
You’ll find in-depth expert insights into the background, events and key figures of these clashes – as well as the troops, tanks and tactics fielded. We even analyse the accuracy of movies depicting the battles, and unearth the extraordinary true stories of the real people who fought there.
To begin, simply select either the Italian Campaign or the North African operation. The Briefing Room is ready and waiting for your orders.
