The Western Desert Force is upgraded

Date: 26 Sep 1941
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

During World War II, the Western Desert Force was upgraded with the addition of two complete corps: the XIII and XXX. General Sir Alan Cunningham was given overall command of the newly created Eighth Army. Troops included South African, Australian, New Zealand, Indian, Free French, and Polish soldiers. World War II started in the early hours of 1 September 1939 when Germany attacked Poland.

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How we know this

01Body-Evans A. ‘This Day in African History: 26 September’, from About African History Guide, [online], available at https://africanhistory.about.com(Accessed: 30 August 2012)
02Anne Frank Guide,‘The Begining of the Second World War’, [online], available at www.annefrankguide.net(Accessed: 30 August 2012)

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2012, September 20). The Western Desert Force is upgraded. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0093671

South African History Online (2012) 'The Western Desert Force is upgraded', South African History Online, 20 September. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0093671 (Accessed: 15 August 2026).

South African History Online, The Western Desert Force is upgraded [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0093671, (accessed 15 August 2026).

"The Western Desert Force is upgraded." South African History Online, 20 Sept. 2012, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0093671. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

South African History Online. "The Western Desert Force is upgraded." South African History Online. September 20, 2012. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0093671.