WW2/Battles of WW2/Date-by-Date/North Africa & Mediterranean • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
Montgomery's decisive victory over Rommel — a set-piece battle through the Axis minefields that turned the tide of the North African campaign and began the long Axis retreat. (23 October – 11 November 1942)
Chronological Storyline (20 Milestones)
Oct 23, 1942 CE
Operation Lightfoot artillery barrage opens
At 9:40 PM, Montgomery's Eighth Army launched a massive artillery bombardment across the El Alamein line, initiating Operation Lightfoot with infantry assaults to breach Axis defenses. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_El_Alamein
El Alamein 1942: British infantry advances through the dust and smoke of the battle. Sergeant Len Chetwyn had a focus on creating and recording re-enactments of military scenes behind the front lines rather than recording live activities on the front lines. By Len Chetwyn - This photograph E 18474 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums(collection no. 4700-32), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1824192nd Battle of El Alamein - End of the African Campaign DOCUMENTARY
Oct 24, 1942 CE
Sappers breach Devil's Gardens minefields
British and Commonwealth engineers began clearing lanes through dense Axis minefields known as the Devil's Gardens, suffering heavy casualties while tanks waited to advance through the gaps. ) · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_El_Alamein
El Alamein 1942: British infantry advances through the dust and smoke of the battle. Sergeant Len Chetwyn had a focus on creating and recording re-enactments of military scenes behind the front lines rather than recording live activities on the front lines. By Len Chetwyn - This photograph E 18474 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums(collection no. 4700-32), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=182419
Oct 25, 1942 CE
Axis counterattacks stall British armor
Rommel, returned from sick leave, ordered panzer counterattacks against British bridgeheads, engaging 15th Panzer and 21st Panzer divisions in fierce fighting that slowed the Eighth Army's armor breakthrough. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_El_Alamein
El Alamein 1942: British infantry advances through the dust and smoke of the battle. Sergeant Len Chetwyn had a focus on creating and recording re-enactments of military scenes behind the front lines rather than recording live activities on the front lines. By Len Chetwyn - This photograph E 18474 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums(collection no. 4700-32), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=182419
Oct 26, 1942 CE
Armored attrition in northern corridor
British X Corps armor struggled through narrow minefield lanes under heavy anti-tank fire, with tank losses mounting as Axis defenders fought stubbornly along the Kidney Ridge sector. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_El_Alamein
El Alamein 1942: British infantry advances through the dust and smoke of the battle. Sergeant Len Chetwyn had a focus on creating and recording re-enactments of military scenes behind the front lines rather than recording live activities on the front lines. By Len Chetwyn - This photograph E 18474 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums(collection no. 4700-32), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=182419
Oct 27, 1942 CE
Rommel commits reserves to northern sector
Rommel shifted the Trieste and 90th Light divisions northward to reinforce the sector under heaviest British pressure, weakening his southern front in a calculated defensive gamble. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_El_Alamein
El Alamein 1942: British infantry advances through the dust and smoke of the battle. Sergeant Len Chetwyn had a focus on creating and recording re-enactments of military scenes behind the front lines rather than recording live activities on the front lines. By Len Chetwyn - This photograph E 18474 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums(collection no. 4700-32), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=182419
Oct 28, 1942 CE
Australians attack along coast road
The Australian 9th Division launched a diversionary attack near the coast, drawing Axis reserves northward and away from the central sector where Montgomery prepared a renewed thrust. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_El_Alamein
El Alamein 1942: British infantry advances through the dust and smoke of the battle. Sergeant Len Chetwyn had a focus on creating and recording re-enactments of military scenes behind the front lines rather than recording live activities on the front lines. By Len Chetwyn - This photograph E 18474 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums(collection no. 4700-32), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=182419
Oct 29, 1942 CE
Montgomery revises plan for Operation Supercharge
Recognizing Lightfoot's armor breakthrough had stalled, Montgomery restructured his offensive into Operation Supercharge, shifting the main effort to a narrower sector with fresh forces. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_El_Alamein
El Alamein 1942: British infantry advances through the dust and smoke of the battle. Sergeant Len Chetwyn had a focus on creating and recording re-enactments of military scenes behind the front lines rather than recording live activities on the front lines. By Len Chetwyn - This photograph E 18474 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums(collection no. 4700-32), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=182419
Oct 30, 1942 CE
Axis fuel crisis deepens
Rommel reported critically low fuel reserves, limiting panzer mobility, as Italian supply convoys suffered continuing interdiction by British naval and air forces based in Malta. ) · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_El_Alamein
El Alamein 1942: British infantry advances through the dust and smoke of the battle. Sergeant Len Chetwyn had a focus on creating and recording re-enactments of military scenes behind the front lines rather than recording live activities on the front lines. By Len Chetwyn - This photograph E 18474 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums(collection no. 4700-32), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=182419
Oct 31, 1942 CE
Patrols probe for Supercharge objectives
British reconnaissance patrols identified Axis defensive dispositions around Tel el Aqqaqir, confirming enemy strength for the planned breakthrough sector of Operation Supercharge. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_El_Alamein
El Alamein 1942: British infantry advances through the dust and smoke of the battle. Sergeant Len Chetwyn had a focus on creating and recording re-enactments of military scenes behind the front lines rather than recording live activities on the front lines. By Len Chetwyn - This photograph E 18474 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums(collection no. 4700-32), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=182419
Nov 1, 1942 CE
Luftwaffe reinforcement attempt fails
Rommel urgently requested additional fuel and ammunition from German high command, but Axis air transport and convoy efforts remained inadequate to sustain the defensive position. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_El_Alamein
El Alamein 1942: British infantry advances through the dust and smoke of the battle. Sergeant Len Chetwyn had a focus on creating and recording re-enactments of military scenes behind the front lines rather than recording live activities on the front lines. By Len Chetwyn - This photograph E 18474 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums(collection no. 4700-32), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=182419
Nov 2, 1942 CE
Operation Supercharge assault launches
Montgomery launched Supercharge with a massive barrage and infantry assault by New Zealand and British divisions, aiming to break through Axis armor and force a decisive engagement. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_El_Alamein
El Alamein 1942: British infantry advances through the dust and smoke of the battle. Sergeant Len Chetwyn had a focus on creating and recording re-enactments of military scenes behind the front lines rather than recording live activities on the front lines. By Len Chetwyn - This photograph E 18474 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums(collection no. 4700-32), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=182419
Nov 3, 1942 CE
Rommel requests permission to retreat
With fuel nearly exhausted and armor destroyed, Rommel requested permission from Hitler to withdraw; the request was denied in the famous 'stand fast' order demanding no retreat. ) · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_El_Alamein
El Alamein 1942: British infantry advances through the dust and smoke of the battle. Sergeant Len Chetwyn had a focus on creating and recording re-enactments of military scenes behind the front lines rather than recording live activities on the front lines. By Len Chetwyn - This photograph E 18474 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums(collection no. 4700-32), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=182419
Nov 4, 1942 CE
Axis line collapses; Rommel disobeys Hitler
Ignoring Hitler's stand-fast order, Rommel ordered retreat as British armor broke through, destroying the Italian Ariete and Littorio divisions and opening the road westward. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_El_Alamein
El Alamein 1942: British infantry advances through the dust and smoke of the battle. Sergeant Len Chetwyn had a focus on creating and recording re-enactments of military scenes behind the front lines rather than recording live activities on the front lines. By Len Chetwyn - This photograph E 18474 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums(collection no. 4700-32), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=182419
Nov 5, 1942 CE
Eighth Army pursues westward
British and Commonwealth forces began pursuing the retreating Axis forces westward from El Alamein, though heavy rain and minefields slowed the armored advance across the desert. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_El_Alamein
El Alamein 1942: British infantry advances through the dust and smoke of the battle. Sergeant Len Chetwyn had a focus on creating and recording re-enactments of military scenes behind the front lines rather than recording live activities on the front lines. By Len Chetwyn - This photograph E 18474 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums(collection no. 4700-32), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=182419
Nov 6, 1942 CE
Rain bogged down pursuit at Fuka
A sudden desert rainstorm turned the ground to mud, halting British armored cars and allowing Rommel's remnants to escape westward past Fuka, narrowly avoiding encirclement. ) · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_El_Alamein
El Alamein 1942: British infantry advances through the dust and smoke of the battle. Sergeant Len Chetwyn had a focus on creating and recording re-enactments of military scenes behind the front lines rather than recording live activities on the front lines. By Len Chetwyn - This photograph E 18474 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums(collection no. 4700-32), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=182419
Nov 7, 1942 CE
Axis rearguard actions at Sidi Barrani
Rommel's rearguard fought delaying actions near Sidi Barrani and Mersa Matruh, buying time for the main body to withdraw while British forces struggled through supply shortages and mud. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_El_Alamein
El Alamein 1942: British infantry advances through the dust and smoke of the battle. Sergeant Len Chetwyn had a focus on creating and recording re-enactments of military scenes behind the front lines rather than recording live activities on the front lines. By Len Chetwyn - This photograph E 18474 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums(collection no. 4700-32), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=182419
Nov 8, 1942 CE
Operation Torch lands in Northwest Africa
Anglo-American forces landed in Morocco and Algeria, creating a two-front war for Axis forces in North Africa and preventing German reinforcement of Rommel's battered army. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Torch
Operation Torch lands in Northwest Africa By Unknown author, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=187802
Nov 9, 1942 CE
Rommel retreats toward Libya
Rommel continued withdrawing westward into Libya, abandoning the Egyptian frontier positions as the Eighth Army's pursuit maintained pressure despite extended supply lines. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_El_Alamein
El Alamein 1942: British infantry advances through the dust and smoke of the battle. Sergeant Len Chetwyn had a focus on creating and recording re-enactments of military scenes behind the front lines rather than recording live activities on the front lines. By Len Chetwyn - This photograph E 18474 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums(collection no. 4700-32), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=182419
Nov 10, 1942 CE
British capture Sidi Barrani
Eighth Army advance units entered Sidi Barrani, confirming the Axis evacuation of Egyptian territory and marking the effective end of the battle as a pursuit phase began. ) · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_El_Alamein
El Alamein 1942: British infantry advances through the dust and smoke of the battle. Sergeant Len Chetwyn had a focus on creating and recording re-enactments of military scenes behind the front lines rather than recording live activities on the front lines. By Len Chetwyn - This photograph E 18474 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums(collection no. 4700-32), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=182419
Nov 11, 1942 CE
Battle concludes; Axis driven from Egypt
The Second Battle of El Alamein officially concluded with Axis forces in full retreat toward Libya, ending the threat to Egypt and the Suez Canal in a decisive British victory. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_El_Alamein
El Alamein 1942: British infantry advances through the dust and smoke of the battle. Sergeant Len Chetwyn had a focus on creating and recording re-enactments of military scenes behind the front lines rather than recording live activities on the front lines. By Len Chetwyn - This photograph E 18474 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums(collection no. 4700-32), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=182419
