Operation SUPERCHARGE

The Second Battle of el Alamein was a two part thrust by the Allies to destroy the Afrika Korps. This time, they had superiority in every way: in airpower, tank strength, ínfantry training and equipment, supplies, replacements, and intelligence. The …

1942-11-02

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The Second Battle of el Alamein was a two part thrust by the Allies to destroy the Afrika Korps. This time, they had superiority in every way: in airpower, tank strength, ínfantry training and equipment, supplies, replacements, and intelligence. The Afrika Korps stood firm against the British crumbling attacks of Operation LIGHTFOOT, but many holes were left in the lines. Montgomery sent the 9th Armoured Brigade forward through the predawn darkness of 1-2 November 1942 to breach the Axis line. After clearing the minefields, and suffering through withering anti-tank fire, the 9th stood grim but firm, holding the door open for the 1st Armoured Division's exploitation. But the 1st Armoured was still many hours away. In the meantime, the few remaining veterans of the Afrika Korps decided to get in their last licks. By the time the 1st Armoured arrived to drive off the Axis tankers, the 9th had lost 70 out of its 94 tanks. Of course, Afrika Korps had paid a price, losing 35 of its 90 precious tanks, while the Allies still had over 600 more in reserve!

El Alamein, Egypt

The Second Battle of El Alamein was a battle of the Second World War that took place near the Egyptian railway halt of El Alamein. The First Battle of El Alamein and the Battle of Alam el Halfa had prevented the Axis from advancing further into Egypt. In August 1942, General Claude Auchinleck had been relieved as Commander-in-Chief Middle East Command and his successor, Lieutenant-General William Gott was killed on his way to replace him as commander of the Eighth Army. Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery was appointed and led the Eighth Army offensive. The Allied victory was the beginning of the end of the Western Desert Campaign, eliminating the Axis threat to Egypt, the Suez Canal and the Middle Eastern and Persian oil fields. The battle revived the morale of the Allies, being the first big success against the Axis since Operation Crusader in late 1941.

Wikipedia: Second Battle of El Alamein

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