The Siwa oasis is settled in the Libyan desert. It's a very ancient site. There was built an oracle to invoke the god of the desert people: Hammon. It's said that Alexander the Great went there, consulting the oracle, during the conquest of Egypt. He told the oracle he was God Hammond's son, and so can pretend to become a Pharaoh. Siwa is a trade place for people of the desert and all ancient Egypt. Old constructions, particularly temples, show the cohabitation more than the melting of the different civilizations.
During WWII, forces of the Long Range Desert Group stayed there for a while. This oasis was also used as a base for commandos actions. There were stocked ammos and arms, water and oil and also vehicles used for troops transporting. Oasis are rare and consequently very precious.
Oasis are a desert wealth and are defended with high wall since ancient times. The desert citadels with clay walls and dried bricks are inadequate to modern war, shells can destroy these antiques walls. These places are only fortified points unless soldiers dig trenches or built bunkers. Splash Damage designers were however inspired by this to create the Axis basis. We clearly recognize the squared courtyard, surrounded by towers and fortified doors. The autors have complicated the oasis plan to make the gameplay more exciting.