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There were several reasons. One is that Africa could serve as a strategic base of operations. If they transported troops from US, the ships could not land directly in France without being attacked. The troops were brought to England or Africa where they made preparations for landing where needed. The Allies were not fully up to strength to directly attack Germany. They needed to establish their army and develope their commanders and leaders. The Americans lost their first battle at Kasserine Pass. Slowly, they prepared their men and reinforced them with better and MORE equipment to be ready for bigger battles. They began by nibbling away at the arms of the octopus and did not directly attack its head. If they had advanced into France, their armies would be vulnerable to attack from the rear.

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Q: Why did the US and Britain decide not to start a major offensive in the west until they defeated the Germans in Africa?
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