Online Lecture: The War in North Africa — The Desert War Begins, 1940-41

Join historian and author Dr. Spencer Jones for the first lecture in this three-part series exploring the North African campaign of World War II. In the summer of 1940, with France defeated and Britain standing alone, the Western Desert became the one place where British forces could strike back against the Axis. Follow the dramatic opening phase of the campaign, from Italy's invasion of Egypt to the sweeping British and Commonwealth victory in Operation Compass and the arrival of German General Erwin Rommel, whose battlefield successes would soon earn him the nickname "The Desert Fox."

This lecture is the first in a series of three lectures. To attend the full series, please also enroll in "The War in North Africa — Rommel's Drive into Egypt, 1942" (#31155) scheduled on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at 2 p.m. (ET)/ 11 a.m. (PT), and "The War in North Africa — El Alamein & the Turning Tide" (#31156) on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2026, at 2 p.m. (ET)/ 11 a.m. (PT). The cost is $25 per lecture. Your online lecture will take place live over the course of 1-2 hours. All times are listed in the EASTERN time zone. If you live in a different time zone, please adjust your schedule accordingly. This live online experience uses Zoom Webinar, an easy-to-use web video service that includes closed captioning. All you need is an Internet connection and your computer. You will receive a confirmation email when you enroll, and a reminder email one week and one day before, as well as the morning of the event with a link and instructions on how to tune in. You will not be pictured on screen during the lecture, but you will have the opportunity to ask the instructor live questions using the Q&A box. Unless otherwise noted, all those who enroll in this program receive access to the live event as well as a recording of the lecture that you can watch any time within the two weeks following the live event.