The Battle of El Alamein, launched two days earlier by Britain's General Bernard Montgomery in an exposed and featureless desert near the Mediterranean Sea, was to that point the most important British offensive of World War II. This article looks at the role Australia played in these battles.Īustralia's pivotal role in the 'end of the beginning' remains underrated at home (The Australian, 2012, November 9)Īrriving back in the African desert at dusk on October 25, 1942, an anxious German commander, Erwin Rommel, gave orders to break the British Eighth Army's new offensive in the north - directly attacking the 9th Australian Division. The Australian 9th Division, led by Lieutenant General Leslie Morshead, played a key role in two of these battles, enhancing its reputation earned defending Tobruk during 1941. Three major battles occurred around El Alamein between July and November 1942, and were the turning point of the war in North Africa.

This article briefly discusses the battle, but also includes a slideshow of photos from the event.Įl Alamein battles (Australian War Memorial, n.d.) The 9th Australian Division played a pivotal role in British 8th Army’s battles from July and November 1942 to halt the German and Italian advance towards the Nile and then to decisively defeat and force them to retreat. This article describes Australia's role in the Battle of El Alamein, and how important the battle was in the fight against fascism and why it has often been overlooked or forgotten by the Australian public.Įl Alamein - Outfoxing the 'Desert Fox', 1942 (Australian War Memorial London, n.d.) Remember El Alamein (Australian Strategic Policy Institute, 2017, October 23) This article gives a very brief overview of the causes of the Battle of El Alamein, and the significance of the battle.

Read through the resources below to learn more about these battles.Įl Alamein October-November 1942 (ANZAC Portal, n.d.) The charismatic Field Marshal Erwin Rommel was comprehensively defeated by the British Eighth Army, and Allied material superiority meant that he had little chance of rallying his broken forces. It marked the beginning of the end for the Axis in North Africa. The Battles of El-Alamein, (1–27 July 1942, 23 October-11 November 1942), were a major turning point in the war for the Allied forces. After the First Battle of El-Alamein, Egypt (150 miles west of Cairo), ended in a stalemate, the second one was decisive.

Largest tank battle el alamein battle