Battle of El Alamein

23 October - 4 November, 1942

One of the most famous and pivotal battles of the Second World War, the Battle of El Alamein was part of the North African campaign. The British 8th Army, under the leadership of Field Marshall Montgomery, pushed back the Germans under General Rommel from a strong position at El Alamein, controlling the approaches to Alexandria. The Allied success at El Alamein precipitated the German withdrawal from North Africa.

The battle lasted 12 days, during which time the Allied forces took 8000 casualties, with estimated German and Italian losses of 30,000 dead and another 30,000 taken prisoner. Though public credit for the Allied success at El Alamein fell at the feet of Field Marshall Montgomery, the attack was planned by General Wavell with great assistance from Field Marshal Auchinleck.

Tags: Battle of El Alamein   World War II   General Montgomery