WWII 1940 1941 War East African Campaign - Heroes of Africa. In the area of Lake Tana, a group of squadrons of cavalry made ??a victorious action in depth charging enemy forces and forcing them to retreat with heavy losses. Illustration of A. Beltrame from La Domenica del Corriere September 21st 1941. The East African Campaign was a series of battles fought in East Africa during World War II by the British Empire, the British Commonwealth of Nations and several allies against the forces of Italy from June 1940 to November 1941.