SOUTH AFRICA PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE WORLD WAR II ALLIED POWERS VICTORY BY CONTRIBUTING TROOPS, MATERIALS, AND VITAL PORT FACILITIES TO THE ALLIED WAR EFFORT. SOUTH AFRICA PARTICIPATED IN MAJOR CAMPAIGNS IN NORTH AFRICA, ITALY, AND EAST AFRICA, AND ITS PORTS WERE CRUCIAL FOR SUPPLYING ALLIED SHIPS. MANY SOUTH AFRICANS SERVED IN THE ROYAL AIR FORCE AND ROYAL NAVY!