Why Did Germany and Italia Never Bomb the Suez Canal and Gibraltar in WWII?

During the Second World War, strategic targets were often the focus of aerial bombings. However, intriguingly, Germany and Italy did not bomb the Suez Canal and Gibraltar, despite their potential significance. This article explores the reasons behind this strategic decision and debunks some commonly-held misconceptions about bombing these locations.

Strategic Importance of Gibraltar

Firstly, let us discuss the strategic importance of Gibraltar. Located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, Gibraltar acts as a critical gateway to the Mediterranean Sea, connecting to the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar. Its strategic position made it a vital military stronghold and a key point of contention between the Allies and the Axis forces.

Axis Bombing of Gibraltar

It is well-documented that Gibraltar was heavily bombed during WWII. The Luftwaffe (the air force of Nazi Germany and later of the Greater German Reich) carried out numerous bombing raids on the territory, targeting both naval facilities and the city itself. These attacks aimed to disrupt Allied operations and destabilize the defensive capabilities of the British-held territory.

Strategic Relevance of the Suez Canal

In contrast to Gibraltar, the Suez Canal was the target of some strategic errors by the Axis powers. The Suez Canal, a vital waterway connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, is indeed strategically significant as it facilitates the movement of commerce and naval forces between the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean. However, during the early stages of WWII, the Suez Canal was considered too distant and not deemed as such a critical target by the Axis.

Forgetfulness and Misconceptions

One common misconception is that the Suez Canal was bombed to prevent its use by Allied forces. In reality, Axis forces, particularly the Germans, were aware of the canal's importance but did not consider it a high-priority target. Italian special forces, on the other hand, did attempt to sabotage Allied naval operations. In 1941, they sank two British battleships in Alexandria, Egypt's port, but this was a naval operation rather than an air bombing mission.

Air Force Limitations

The primary reason for not targeting the Suez Canal with airpower was the limitations of bomber technology at the time. WWII era bombers lacked the necessary range and payload to effectively damage the canal's infrastructures. The Suez Canal, being built as a sea-level canal without locks, presented a unique challenge for aerial bombing. Directly damaging the canal's infrastructures without destroying the locks would have been extremely difficult, as the canal itself is not prone to significant structural damage from conventional air attacks.

Operational Necessities and Consequences

Axis commanders had to make strategic decisions based on the operational needs of the time. Gibraltar, being closer to the European theatre, was more accessible and thus a higher-priority target for bombing raids. Moreover, the loss of Canal infrastructure would not have had as significant an impact on global maritime traffic as the loss of the Mediterranean gateway represented by Gibraltar.

Bombing Raids on the Suez Canal

While the Suez Canal was a key target for the Allies, who were focused on maintaining its integrity, the Axis powers did not seek to target it with extensive bombing campaigns. The few bombing missions that were launched did not achieve their intended goals, as the canal's robust design and the operational necessities of the theatre meant that it remained largely intact.

Conclusion

In summary, the decision not to bomb the Suez Canal and Gibraltar during WWII was a strategic choice based on a variety of factors, including the proximity to theaters of war, the limitations of bomber technology, and the operational necessities of the conflict. Understanding these factors provides insight into the complexities of military strategy during the Second World War and highlights the reasons behind the focus on the most immediate and impactful targets of that time.

Key Takeaways

The Suez Canal and Gibraltar had strategic importance, but the Axis powers prioritized bombing targets closer to their theaters of war. Practical limitations of WWII-era bombers made large-scale bombing of the Suez Canal ineffective. Axis special forces conducted naval sabotage, targeting specific Naval assets in Egypt, but not the Suez Canal.