15,697
edits
Changes
no edit summary
The Afrika Korps advanced into Egypt and made his way by the coastal route to Alexandria. If he could seize that city, then he would have been in a position to challenge the British and their control of the Suez Canal. The British under the command of General Claude Auchenlik adopted a defensive posture and waited for the Germans at El Alamein.<ref> Latimer, Jon. Alamein (London, John Murray, 2002), p. 112</ref> The Eight Army was dug in around El Alamein and it was composed of British, Australian, New Zealand, South African and Indian elements. The 8th Army laid many miles of mines and dug many tank traps. The battle took place only 60km form Alexandria. The Allies were close to their supply bases in Egypt and the Axis forces supply lines had become stretched in contrast. Rommel launched a direct attack on the British positions.<ref> Latimer, p. 114</ref> Rommel had the superiority in armor and he tried to use his panzers to break through the Allied lines. However, Auchelick had superiority in artillery and his forces had been well dug in. This allowed their lines to hold.
The Allies then launched a counter attack, Rommel used a brilliant defensive strategy to repel the attacks<ref> Carell, p. 134</ref>. The Allies had denied Rommel victory and they had stopped his advance to Alexandria. The western forces had suffered heavy casualties some 13000 killed and wounded. The Germans, however, were still in Egypt and remained only a day’s drive from Alexandria . <ref> Lucas, James Sydney. <i>War in the Desert: The Eighth Army at El Alamein. </i> (Beaufort Books. New York, 1983), p. 67</ref> Churchill was not happy with this and he had Auchinleck replaced as commander of the 8th Army. Initially General William Gott was appointed as its commander but he was killed in a plane crash. Churchill then had Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery appointed and he took command of the 8th army on the 13th August. Rommel could have withdrawn at this stage and given that his supply lines had been overextended this perhaps should have been his strategy. However, he and Hitler had become obsessed with taking Alexandria and the Afrika Korps remained in El Alamein. <ref> Lucas, p. 178</ref>
==Second Battle of El Alamein==
