For 1,000 days the Allied and Axis armies fought for the domination of the North African shores knowing that defeat would bring disastrous consequences. Much has been written about the conduct of the land battles and the commanders who faced each other yet, as the main protagonists realised at the time, success or failure rested on the effectiveness of their seaborne supply chain. Control of the Mediterranean was therefore absolutely crucial. In the final analysis it was the Allies' ability to dominate the Mediterranean that bought them victory but there is no denying that it was a 'damned close run thing'. In this authoritative study, Bernard Ireland brings a fresh clarity to the complexities and factors at play during this critical period. AUTHOR: Born at London, Bernard Ireland was educated at the Royal Dockland School, Portsmouth before graduating from the University of Southampton. He then pursued a career in Hydrodynamic research and ship design for the Admiralty. His lifelong love of the sea and naval affairs led him into writing maritime history and he now has 25 books to his credit as well as four part-works and numerous periodical contributions. He lives with this wife near Fareham, Hampshire. 32 b/w illustrations