This work explores the idea that the Mediterranean theatre of World War II was the first truly modern war. It was a highly mobile conflict, in which logistics were a critical factor, and from the beginning the close relationship between the land, sea, and air elements was vital. Victory could not be achieved by either side unless the three services worked in intimate cooperation. Each side advanced and withdrew across 1000 miles of desert until the axis forces were decisively defeated at El Alamein in 1942.