OfANTONIO CARIOTI
In 1942 the decisive clashes in Egypt: ferocious fighting, then the British got the better of the Nazi-fascists
We commonly speak of the Battle of El Alamein, but in reality the cycle of operations which took place in the North African desert, a hundred kilometers west of Alexandria in Egypt, between the summer and autumn of 1942, includes three distinct war eventsat the end of which the forces of the Rome-Berlin Axis were clearly defeated by those of the British Empire. It was the beginning of the end of the Italian presence in Africa during the Second World War.
In mid-1942 the situation in the Libyan desert appeared favorable to the Italian-Germans. The 8th British Army had been defeated in Marmarica by the Axis forces led by the brilliant German general Erwin Rommel, who with an offensive crowned with rapid success had seized the port of Tobruk on 21 June, transformed by the British into a powerful stronghold . At that point the route to Egypt seemed open towards the Suez Canal, a passage of crucial strategic importance for the war in the Mediterranean. The British, however, were far from being beaten, also because they could count on the help of the formidable industrial machine of the United States, which entered the war in December 1941 following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. So the 8th Army reorganized itself and entrenched itself in El Alamein, a location that could not be bypassed from the south because it was located above the deep depression of Bab el Qattara, unusable for motor vehicles due to its salt flats.
At that point the Italian-German supply lines had significantly lengthenedsince they had to get ammunition and fuel from Tripoli, while the enemy could obtain supplies much more easily, being almost at the gates of Alexandria. At that moment there was a phase of uncertainty in the Axis commands: there were those who proposed stopping the offensive in the desert to try to occupy the island of Malta, a British naval base that was tormenting the Italian convoys headed for Libya, but the opinion of Rommel prevailed, promoted in the meantime to field marshal by Adolf Hitler, who wanted to continue the advance with the hope of reaching Suez. The Italian-Germans then launched an attack on the British lines at El Alamein in early July, the first battle named after that location, which ended in failure. The Axis forces were exhausted after long weeks of fighting and the British managed to pin them down. Benito Mussolini, who had arrived in North Africa on 29 June 1942 in the hope of entering Alessandria as a victor, had to return to Rome empty-handed.
At the end of August 1942 Rommel tried his luck againtrying to break through the 8th Army’s defenses from the south with German armored forces. But the maneuver was foiled, also due to the obstacle posed by the vast minefields set up by Montgomery and the relentless action of the British air force. The Germans reached the Alma Halfa crest, where, however, they were stopped by enemy tanks, many of which were American-made. This second battle of El Alamein is known in the Anglo-Saxon world as the battle of Alma Halfa.
At this point the decisive turning point came. Thanks to a clear superiority in men and above all in means, Montgomery was able to meticulously prepare a massive offensive, which began with powerful artillery fire on the evening of 23 October 1942. After very hard fighting, on 2 November the 8th Army launched a second wave, which the Axis forces were unable to stop. On November 4, after a hesitation also due to the senseless order to maintain positions given by Hitler, Rommel ordered a general retreat. However, they were unable to retreat many Italian units. In this third and final battle of El Alamein, the Ariete and Littorio armored divisions were annihilated, the surviving infantrymen of Pavia and Brescia fell prisoners, and the Folgore paratroopers surrendered after fighting with indomitable valor. The 8th Army took around 30 thousand prisoners, two thirds of them Italian. Shortly after the breakthrough carried out by Montgomery, on 8 November 1942 British and American forces landed at the other end of North Africa, in Morocco and Algeria garrisoned by the Vichy French, collaborators of the Germans, who put up very little resistance. Caught in a vice, with two enemy armies advancing from the west (Algeria) and the east (Egypt), the Axis soldiers fought for a few more months in North Africa, entrenching themselves in Tunisia. But without hope.
What were the key factors that contributed to the British victory at the Battle of El Alamein?
Interview between Time.news Editor, Laura Smith, and Military Historian, Dr. John Morris
Laura Smith: Welcome, Dr. Morris! Today we’re diving into a crucial moment of World War II, specifically the Battle of El Alamein. Many refer to it as the turning point in the North African campaign. Can you tell us a bit about the context leading up to this battle?
Dr. John Morris: Absolutely, Laura. By mid-1942, the situation in North Africa had drastically shifted. The Axis forces, particularly under German General Erwin Rommel, had seen initial successes. They defeated the 8th British Army in Marmarica and captured Tobruk, positioning themselves ominously close to the Suez Canal, which was vital for controlling Mediterranean shipping routes.
Laura Smith: That sounds intense! What made El Alamein such a strategic location for the British forces?
Dr. John Morris: Great question. El Alamein was uniquely positioned – it was near the coast and bounded by the impassable Bab el Qattara depression to the south. This made it impossible for the Axis forces to flank the British. So, the British 8th Army dug in here, leveraging their proximity to supply lines and reinforcements from the U.S., whose industrial power was kicking into high gear.
Laura Smith: Speaking of supply lines, how did the logistics impact the outcome of the battles there?
Dr. John Morris: Logistics were critical. The Axis supply lines extended all the way back to Tripoli, making them vulnerable as they had to transport ammunition and fuel over significant distances. In contrast, the British were practically at the gates of Alexandria, making resupply much easier. The combination of solid supply lines and growing reinforcements played to the British advantage.
Laura Smith: So, if I understand correctly, the British forces managed to regain their footing after initial defeats. Can you walk us through the notable engagements at El Alamein?
Dr. John Morris: Certainly. The first engagement in July 1942 ended poorly for the Axis forces. Although Rommel was a tactical genius, his forces had been stretched thin after weeks of offensive action. Mussolini’s hopes of being welcomed as a victor in Alexandria quickly turned into disappointment as he had to retreat back to Rome.
Then came the second battle, also in August, where Rommel attempted to bypass British defenses but was ultimately halted, thanks to British strategic planning and the now-integrated American tanks.
Laura Smith: It sounds like Montgomery, the British commander, played a key role in the eventual success. What was his strategy?
Dr. John Morris: Montgomery emphasized meticulous planning and preparation. By the time of the decisive conflict in October, he amassed a considerable numerical advantage over the Axis forces. He set traps, utilized effective tank warfare, and ensured air superiority, which ultimately wore down Rommel’s troops. His strategy was to set up an offensive that would decisively break the Axis front.
Laura Smith: And what were the ramifications of the British victory at El Alamein?
Dr. John Morris: The victory at El Alamein marked the beginning of the end for the Axis presence in North Africa. It was a significant morale booster for the Allies and showcased the effectiveness of their combined forces. It set into motion a series of operations that would ultimately lead to the retreat of Axis powers from North Africa and pave the way for future Allied success in Europe.
Laura Smith: Thank you so much, Dr. Morris! Your insights have brought much clarity to this pivotal moment in history. It reminds us how logistics, leadership, and strategic positioning can sway the tides of war.
Dr. John Morris: My pleasure, Laura! It’s vital we remember these lessons from history as they resonate even today in military strategy and international relations.