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 planes489 tanks104,000 infantry1,219 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 stationIn the middle of the desertOnly thing standing between AlexandriaCrucial to keeping Africa from NazisThe Alamein line was 40 milesStretched 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 outnumberedAxis had lost 23,000 men

and 1,000 tanks13,500 men were killed,

lost,or wounded on the Allies side

Axis retreat

Second part of battle- cont.

Kidney ridge was a major battle siteOperation “supercharge” was the turn-

aroundAt end, Axis had about only 80 tanks

left,previously 1000Massive 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 ChurchillRommel retreatsAllies go in pursuitEl Alamein was completely devestated

Interesting facts

Rommel was also called Desert Fox for his ability to “sniff” out his enemiesRommel was Hitlers best marshalRommel retreated from the battle against Hitlers ordersAllies 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.