CONTENTS

Title

Acknowledgements

List of Illustrations

Introduction

Timeline

Historical Background

A Crossroad of Strategic Opportunities

The First British Offensive: Operation Compass

Rommel Arrives

From Tobruk to El Alamein

The Opposing Forces

The Armies

The Commanders

The Soldiers

The Kit

The Tactics

The Days Before Battle

The Axis Defence Line

Panzer Army Africa’s Strength

Eighth Army’s Strength

Training

Planning for Operation Lightfoot

The Battlefield: What Actually Happened?

The Break-in

The Axis Reaction

The ‘Dog Fight’

The ‘Dog Fight’ Continues: Action at ‘Snipe’ and ‘Woodcock’

9th Australian Division Fight in the North

Operation Supercharge

Tell el Aqqaqir

The Breakout

After the Battle

The Pursuit

The Legacy

El Alamein as a British Victory

El Alamein’s Place in History

Why the Battle was Won

The Turning Point of the Western Desert War

Orders of Battle

Further Reading

Copyright