Why was securing the territory in the area of the Mediterranean important to the Allies?
1 Answer
Territory in the Mediterranean was important to block the Axis expansion and maintain communication for the Allies.
Explanation:
The Italians were seeking to expand and reestablish the ancient Roman Empire occupying all of North Africa. The threat was if the Italians were successful the vital Suez Canal would fall into the possession of the Axis Powers. This would not only block any communication between the different parts of the British Empire it would open up the possibility of a link up between the Axis powers of Germany and Italy with Japan.
Further expansion of the Axis powers through Egypt into the Middle East would give the Axis control of the oil fields of the Middle East. One of the biggest problems for the Axis powers of Europe was a shortage of oil and fuel for their war machine. Control of the Mediterranean would potentially solve the problem giving the Axis access to the the Middle East oil fields.
Expansion along the Middle East would also have provided the Axis with access to attack the Soviet Union from their soft underbelly toward the vital city of Stalingrad. The battle of Stalingrad would likely then have been won by the Axis. If the Soviet Union had fallen Germany would have been able to turn its full force against the British and Americans. Germany might have won the war.
Denying the Axis complete control of the Mediterranean by securing territory was critical to winning the war for the Allies. The Axis had to be denied control of the Suez canal and the Middle East with its oil fields and access to the underside of the USSR.
