World War 2, North Africa, Egypt, El Alamein, 1943
1943A view of El Alamein war cemetery
The battles of El Alamein, fought between July and November 1942, marked a turning point in the North African campaign during World War II. The Australian 9th Division, commanded by Lieutenant General Leslie Morshead, played a pivotal role in two key battles, solidifying its reputation from the defense of Tobruk in 1941.
At the start of 1942, Axis forces, led by Erwin Rommel, pushed deep into Egypt, threatening Cairo and the Suez Canal. By June, both sides were entrenched near El Alamein, where the terrain narrowed between the coast and the Qattara Depression. On July 10, the 9th Division seized strategic high ground at Tel el Eisa, catching Rommel off guard. Fierce counterattacks followed, with the Australians repelling them with the support of Allied artillery and air forces. By late July, the battle had reached a stalemate, with heavy losses on both sides.
From August, the Allies, under the new leadership of Lieutenant General Bernard Montgomery, reinforced their forces, while Axis supply lines were strangled by Allied air and naval attacks. In late August, Rommel’s final offensive failed due to Allied resistance and logistical challenges, forcing him into a defensive stance.
On October 23, Montgomery launched a massive offensive, beginning with an artillery barrage. Despite initial difficulties, the Australians' relentless attacks in the north drew Axis focus, allowing British forces to break through in the south on November 2. This decisive blow forced Rommel’s Panzerarmee into a retreat, leading to the Axis expulsion from North Africa.
The Australian 9th Division suffered nearly 5,500 casualties but played a vital role in securing the Allied victory, marking a significant step towards the eventual defeat of the Axis powers in the region.
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Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
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