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Witness History: World War II victory in North Africa

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12_5_23 Victory North Africa BLOCKS.jpg

12/05/2023 GMT

World War II victory in North Africa

BBC World Service - Witness History, World War II victory in North Africa

It is 80 years since the Allies in World War II declared victory in North Africa

Victory in Tunisia paved the way for the Nazis to be defeated in Europe. Peter Royle was a British Army captain in the Royal Artillery and recalls his experience.

Peter Royle, 103, endured a month of solid fighting in the hills outside of Tunis in 1943. Eventually the Allies prevailed and took more than 250,000 German and Italian prisoners of war. They declared victory in Tunisia on 13 May. 

Peter came close to dying many times. He recalls how he once hummed God Save the King to prevent himself being shot by friendly fire. He was under the command of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, fresh from victory in the North African desert, and recalls him being inspirational to the troops.

This episode is presented by Josephine McDermott. Ahead of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in 2025, the BBC is trying to gather as many first-hand accounts from surviving veterans as possible, to preserve for future generations. 

Working with a number of partners, including the Normandy Memorial Trust and the Royal British Legion, the BBC has spoken to many men and women who served during the war. We are calling the collection World War Two: We were there.

(Photo: Peter Royle in battle kit in 1941. Credit: Peter Royle's family)

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