LIBYA, 1941... Facing the disastrous loss of their North African colonies, the Italians accept the aid of their allies and the Germans deploy the Deutsche Afrika Korps to Libya, under the command of General Erwin Rommel. He quickly goes on the offensive and throws the British forces back into Egypt, leaving only the besieged port of Tobruk still in their hands.

A gruelling ten-month siege would follow, defying the Axis' attempts to break the defenders, whilst throughout 1941, repeated relief operations are thwarted in the eastern deserts of Libya.
As the battles raged in North Africa, in May the Germans launch an airborne invasion of Crete using their elite 7th Flieger Division.