The battle lasted from 23 october to 5 november 1942. Now, however, the bright gleam has caught the helmets of our soldiers, and warmed and cheered all. World war ii, egypt, africa, october 1942, british. That source of intelligence was now lost to rommel. Supply lines were very long, and armored units had to be broken up so they did not have to make long drives. Rommel returned to germany to recuperate from illness shortly before the.
Much has been said and written about alamein and what role this battle in the desert played in the outcome of the second world war, but the battle of alamein also known by its alternative title war without hate by john bierman and colin smith is not merely another presentation of the well known story. On the night of the 23 rd of october, montgomery made his move. How slight and unimpressive are often the initial causes which lead to great changes in the course of events. Much has been said and written about alamein and what role this battle in the desert played in the outcome of the second world war, but the battle of alamein also known by its alternative title war without hate by john bierman and colin smith is. It was leaded by commander montgomery on the allied side, against rommel, commander of the afrika korps. After the allied invasion in june 1944 and the resulting push across france, rommel knew that germany would lose the war and. Before he left for germany on 23 september, rommel organised the defence and wrote a long appreciation of the. His name was bernard montgomery and he intended to win the war in north africa once and for all.
On the night of the 2627 july 1942, the 228th battalion lost 65 men dead and 490. The first battle ended in a stalemate but it succeeded in halting the german advance on alexandria and then cairo and suez canal. Born in heidenheim, germany, on november 15, 1891, erwin. Egypt 1st alamein is lou coatneys 1997designed free, printandplay 2player game about the opening battle for alamein, in july 1942, which was rommels best chance to break through and take naval base alexandria, cairo, and the suez. The bulk of the british 8th army retreated past mersa matruh and field marshal erwin rommels afrika korps occupied sollum, haifaya pass and sidi barrani. It was fought between two of the best commanders in world war ii, montgomery for the allies and rommel for the axis between 23 october 4 november 1942.
After the first battle of elalamein, egypt 150 miles west of cairo, ended in a stalemate, the second one was decisive. Hitlers response to this loss was to send in the newly formed afrika. Its task, along with south african, australian and british divisions, was to break in through the enemy defences, which were now covered by deep minefields. Rommel, short of fuel and against british air superiority, could not fight a mobile battle to balance montgomerys superiority in combat troops. It marked the beginning of the end for the axis in north africa. The war won by the british empire without the help of the united states and defeated the afrika korps and the italian army in africa. Documents world war ii campaigns between the invasion of egypt in 1940 and the surrender of axis forces in.
The italian army paid a heavy price for mussolini throwing them into a war probably twothree years earlier than it was actually ready for it it performed poorly and lost. Deposition in a wadi is rapid because of the sudden loss of stream velocity. It is from an unrestored, badlooking negative and runs only 80 minutes, rather than the 105 release time and the 92 minute length advertised. After losing benghazi in january, the british held the germans in check until may.
It convinced the british that they could beat the germans and that hitler was not invincible. First battle 127 july 1942after victory at battle of gazala,rommel advance toward egypt was checked by general auchinleck. On this day in 1942, field marshal erwin rommel is brought to a standstill in the battle for control of north africa. Quizlet flashcards, activities and games help you improve your grades. That attack, the final in what is called the first battle of alamein, gives us an opportunity to. Unfortunately for the germans, only 30 were present at this battle. Axis forces were low on armored reserves and low on fuel. Stephen bungay seems to have a knack of cutting to the heart of the matter and analysing the war in terms of loses and gains.
The axis army of italy and germany suffered a decisive defeat by the british eighth army. Rommel pursued the eighth army into egypt and forced it out of several defensive positions. Its significance was feted, a touch inaccurately, by winston churchill. Auchinleck ordered defensive positions be created on the way to cairo and also flooded parts of the nile delta. Dec 02, 2004 this was the victory of the british eighth army under command of general bernard montgomery. This battle lead to the german surrender in north africa, later in 1943. Chronically lacking fuel due to overstretched supply lines and allied control of mediterranean sea, the only thing germans and italians. As artillery pounded the german positions, soldiers cleared enemy minefields by the light of the full moon.
The battle of gazala is considered the greatest victory of rommels career. This is not a forum for general discussion of the articles subject put new text under old text. It was part of the western desert campaign of world war 2 was fought between the british eighth army led by general claude auchinleck and the axis forces consisting of german and italian units of panzerarmee afrika panzer army africa led by field marshal erwin rommel. The scene of seesawing desert battles from 1940 to 1942. In order to get a better selfpropelled tank destroyer into the field, captured russian 76. This year alone 17 people have been maimed, many losing arms and legs, after. I have never promised anything but blood, tears, toil, and sweat. After the first battle of elalamein, egypt 150 miles west of cairo, ended in a. Set during the titular desert battle of 1942, the film departs from expectation by concentrating on the axis point of view. However, the british were hampered by poor strategy and communications. Battles of elalamein, 127 july 1942, 23 october11 november 1942, world war ii events.
The war fought between the british and the germanitalian army. This article includes a list of related items that share the same name or similar names. The battle was fought between the axis forces, led by general erwin rommel, and the allied forces, commanded by field marshal claude auchinleck. His plan, despite churchills constant call for action, was to build his strength up to a preponderant advantage over the axis and then to strike them. By late afternoon on 4 november 1942, the enemy was in full retreat. Second battle battle of alam halfa 30 august5 september 1942. The battle coincided with the allied invasion of french north africa in operation torch, which started on 8 november, the battle of stalingrad and the guadalcanal campaign.
1186 912 84 755 1283 971 687 172 218 784 244 1111 11 482 1414 1183 895 205 1448 218 1589 459 348 1031 1216 1315 1389 1455 391 1066 1184 680