Middle East Theatre of World War II

The Middle East Theatre of World War II is defined largely by reference to the British Middle East Command, which controlled Allied forces in both Southwest Asia and eastern North Africa. From 1943, most of the action and forces concerned were in the adjoining Mediterranean Theatre.

The region was quiet for the first few months of the war, until Fascist Italy declared war against France and Britain on June 10, 1940. It remained a major active theatre for two and a half years until the British Commonwealth Eighth Army crossed the border from Libya into Tunisia. In February 1943, command of the Eighth Army passed from the Middle East Command to the Allied Joint command for the Mediterranean, AFHQ. The Middle East Theatre remained quiet for the remainder of the war.

Read more about Middle East Theatre Of World War II:  Overview, Balkans and Greek Islands Campaign, East Africa, Middle East Campaigns, Western Desert Campaign

Famous quotes containing the words middle, east, theatre, world and/or war:

    Parisians are so besotted, so silly and so naturally inept that a street player, a seller of indulgences, a mule with its cymbals, a fiddler in the middle of a crossroads, will draw more people than would a good Evangelist preacher.
    François Rabelais (1494–1553)

    The East is marvellously interesting for tracing our steps back. But for going forward, it is nothing. All it can hope for is to be fertilised by Europe, so that it can start on a new phase.
    —D.H. (David Herbert)

    For the theatre one needs long arms; it is better to have them too long than too short. An artiste with short arms can never, never make a fine gesture.
    Sarah Bernhardt (1844–1923)

    The idea of bringing someone into the world fills me with horror. I would curse myself if I were a father. A son of mine! Oh no, no, no! May my entire flesh perish and may I transmit to no one the aggravations and the disgrace of existence.
    Gustave Flaubert (1821–1880)

    Hate-hardened heart, O heart of iron,
    iron is iron till it is rust.
    There never was a war that was
    not inward; I must
    fight till I have conquered in myself what
    causes war, but I would not believe it.
    Marianne Moore (1887–1972)