However, the bulk of the Axis army in North Africa was still Italian.

This in turn threatened the Axis armies' ability to fight.

The force flew much needed ammunition and fuel to the Axis armies in Africa.

Montgomery has been criticised for his failure to trap the Axis armies and bring them to a decisive battle in Libya.

Yugoslavia, and with it the monarchy, was crushed in 11 days in 1941 by invading Axis armies.

Stalingrad was in the path of the Axis army, and the Soviets decided to defend the city.

It was forced to surrender along with the rest of the Axis army in North Africa.

These Axis armies lacked heavy equipment to deal with Soviet armor.

Heavy naval guns and courageous sailors helped defend port cities during long sieges by Axis armies.

Hitler occupied Yugoslavia from April 1941; he carved the country up using different Axis armies.