The Battle of El Alamein

The Battle of El Alamein By: K. J. and K. S.

Purpose for topic • We chose this topic because the battle of El Alamein was an interesting and barely known battle. • It was also the turning point of the WII in Africa

Axis Side • Leader: Erwin Rommel (A.K.A. Desert Fox) • 350 planes • 489 tanks • 104,000 infantry • 1,219 artillery

Allies side • Leader Bernard Law Montgomery • 530 planes • 1,029 tanks • 195,000 infantry • 2,311 artillery

Information about El Alamein • It was an abandoned train station • In the middle of the desert • Only thing standing between Alexandria • Crucial to keeping Africa from Nazis • The Alamein line was 40 miles • Stretched from Qattara Depression to the sea

Important Dates June 24, 1942-Rommel begins pursuit of eighth army from Tobruk to Mersa Matruh. June 30,1942-Beginning of the first part of the battle August 7, 1942-Montgomery appointed commander of eighth army November 3&4,1942-Rommel retreats and battle is won in favor of Allied forces

First part of battle • Axis first attacked cast but repelled • Allied attacked Axis supply routes, crippling Rommel’s units • Reinforcements of 6-16 guns and Sherman tanks helped • Lots of attacks launched all over the line • Heavy losses on each side

Second part of battle • Axis had huge minefield-mines a problem for tanks • Axis heavily outnumbered • Axis had lost 23,000 men and 1,000 tanks • 13,500 men were killed, lost,or wounded on the Allies side • Axis retreat

Second part of battle- cont. • Kidney ridge was a major battle site • Operation “supercharge” was the turn-around • At end, Axis had about only 80 tanks left,previously 1000 • Massive retreat for the Allied forces

Battle Plan

Aftermath • The allies realized that they can win a battle after all the losses • “All battles before the battle were lost, and all the battles after won” was said by Winston Churchill • Rommel retreats • Allies go in pursuit • El Alamein was completely devestated

Interesting facts • Rommel was also called Desert Fox for his ability to “sniff” out his enemies • Rommel was Hitlers best marshal • Rommel retreated from the battle against Hitlers orders • Allies had half the losses as the Axis

Pictures

Reflection We learned that the Battle of El Alamein was a very important battle in the WWII. We think that the battle should be more widely known, since it was crucial to the win of the WWII in favor of the Allied forces against the Axis forces. It was the turning point of the war in the Mediterranean, and it boosted the morale of Allied soldiers.

Bibliography “El Alamein.” The New Grolier Encyclopedia of WWII, War in the Mediterranean. Vol. 2, 1999, 56-72. “First Battle of El Alamein.” Wikipedia.org. 14:16, 8 November 2007. Wikipedia Foundation, Inc. 12 November 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Battle_of_El_Alamein.

Bibliography-cont. Trueman, Chris. “The Battle of El Alamein.” History Learning Site. Chris Trueman. 29 November 2007. http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/battle_of_el_alamein.html. “The Battle of El Alamein.” 2004. Dept. of Defence. 29 November 2007 http://www.defence.gov.au/army/ahu/history/Battles/El_Alamein.htm.

Bibliography-cont. again “Google Images.” Google. November 29,2007 http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=el+alamein&btnG=search+images&gbv=27.

The Battle of El Alamein