Battlefield - El Alamein Part 2 Battle of El Alamein

Before Alamein we never had a victory. After Alamein we never had a defeat”. Winston Churchill’s words illustrate clearly why the two battles fought near the Egyptian coastal town in the western desert during 1942 were a turning point of World War Two.
Up until July 1942, the situation in the desert for the Allies was dire, with the British 8th Army in full retreat and vital bases at Alexandria and Cairo threatened by the lightening advances made by Rommel’s hitherto all-conquering armoured divisions. The position changed when, in a battle that lasted nearly a month, the British under General Sir Claude Auchinleck not only held off the German and Italian forces, but gained the strategic advantage of shorter supply lines that enabled them the reinforce their position faster than the Germans. For the AfrikaKorps, it was the first taste of what was to come - for the Allies it was proof positive that the enemy was no superman and could be beaten.
In October, their men rested and well trained, the Allies struck. A diversionary attack to the south was intended to draw Axis forces into the area leaving the way clear for the real attack in the north, but the assault became bogged down in minefields. Montgomery, the Allied commander, changed tactics by constantly switching the point of attack. The end came in early November, when the 9th Australian division finally broke through and a major push to the south forced the Germans to fight what became an enormous tank battle. By 3rd November, Rommel had only 30 tanks left with which to fight and a withdrawal began, pursued by the British, who were badly hampered by heavy rain and a shortage of fuel.
Licensed by4Digital Media Limited through Mercury Studios
#wardocumentary
#wardocumentaries
#ww2
#elalamein
► Subscribe to get all the latest content bit.ly/3p4PcTX
► Connect with us online and our socials:
Website: www.4digitalmedia.com
Facebook: / thewarchannel
Twitter: / thewarchanneltv
#thewarchannel

[@mohammedsaysrashid3587]

Informative historical coverage video...thanks for sharing

[@Condorman1]

That was a well produced description of the battle. Thanks.

[@bryanparkhurst17]

My grandfather was in the U.S. 1st Division and he took part in operation torch. And I can tell you from talking to him when I was a kid that there may not have been a cult of Rommel, but there was definitely a healthy respect for him.

[@stargazer5784]

Thanks for posting. 👍 Had Monty not been given an overwhelming numerical advantage, he wouldn't have fared so well. Rommel's supplies being choked off contributed much as well. Rommel was a far better tactician than Monty, who was basically a figure head used to boost morale at home.

[@MLDClinic-i7w]

Gen Gott aircraft was not crashed. it was landed with difficulty by Capt (Sgt Pilot) Jimmy James. But while on ground it was strafed by German fighters killing 18 out of 21 including Gen Gott. Cap James was survived with severe burns to receive DFC (medal). (6:12)

[@BobSmith-dk8nw]

The tanks in the thumbnail look like T-34's ...
.

[@vkl2023]

Yeah, that was some hush hush ops by Josef... 😂

[@_--JohnVK--_]

LMAO 👍Yeah, that was the first thing I noticed as well 🤣

[@MLDClinic-i7w]

at 26:05, caliber of gun says 7.62. is it 76.2 ???

[@jaideosingh-ks8re]

Y D INDIANS WERE NOT MENTIONED IN D DESSERT WAR

[@_--JohnVK--_]

That's true, but neither were the Australians, New Zealanders, (South) Africans, Moroccans, Arabians, French, and countless more nations that participated in the Desert War. But that doesn't mean they are not remembered! 👍
There were so many nations present, that it is hard to mention them all every time, especially if the documentary focusses on the German and British forces. Don't take it as an offense, or that their sacrifice wasn't appreciated and highly respected! The Indians fought gallantly and gloriously, not only in Africa, but also noticeably during the siege of Monte Casino, for instance!
They were great warriors!

[@davidwestfall4336]

From an American: Monty was a great commander.

[@stargazer5784]

I respectfully disagree. His performances at Caen and Market Garden were dismal.

[@_--JohnVK--_]

Thank you! I'm Dutch and I agree. In fact, most of the World agrees, apart from a certain group of Americans, Hellbent on destroying the good name of Montgomery.
Monty had his faults, of course, but so had ALL other great tacticians throughout history, including Patton and Caesar.

[@_--JohnVK--_]

@@stargazer5784 That's just your opinion, NOT fact.

[@davidwestfall4336]

I will say this about him: his ego was bigger than any British battleship; he was more prone to build up for an attack so cautiously Germany had time to dig in; and he was definitely difficult to coordinate with.
On the other hand, British and Canadian troops tended to trust him and serve under him. Not all, but no commander has 100% trust.
Market-Garden was a big failure, no doubt. Poor intel doomed it. But Monty did lead the British forces to victory, and in doing so he also brought morale to new heights.