First Battle of El Alamein: Difference between revisions

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| place            = [[El Alamein]], British-occupied Egypt
| place            = [[El Alamein]], British-occupied Egypt
| coordinates      = {{Coord|30|50|29|N|28|56|34|E|region:EG|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates      = {{Coord|30|50|29|N|28|56|34|E|region:EG|display=inline,title}}
| result            = Inconclusive
| result            = [[#Aftermath|Stalemate]]
| combatant1        = {{flagcountry|Kingdom of Italy}}<br>{{flagicon|Nazi Germany}} [[Nazi Germany|Germany]]
| combatant1        = {{flagcountry|Kingdom of Italy}}<br>{{flagicon|Nazi Germany}} [[Nazi Germany|Germany]]
| combatant2        = {{Flag|United Kingdom}}
| combatant2        = {{Flag|United Kingdom}}
* {{flagicon|British Raj}} [[British Raj|India]]<br />
* {{flagcountry|Kingdom of Egypt}}
* {{flagicon|British Raj}} [[British Raj|India]]
{{flagcountry|Dominion of New Zealand}}<br />{{Flag|Australia}}<br />{{flagicon|Union of South Africa}} [[Union of South Africa|South Africa]]
{{flagcountry|Dominion of New Zealand}}<br />{{Flag|Australia}}<br />{{flagicon|Union of South Africa}} [[Union of South Africa|South Africa]]
| commander1        = {{nowrap|{{flagicon|Kingdom of Italy}} [[Ettore Bastico]]<br>{{flagicon|Nazi Germany}} [[Erwin Rommel]]<br>{{flagicon|Nazi Germany}} [[Walther Nehring]]<br>{{flagicon|Kingdom of Italy}} [[Giuseppe De Stefanis]]<br>{{flagicon|Kingdom of Italy}} [[Enea Navarini]]<br>{{flagicon|Kingdom of Italy}} [[Benvenuto Gioda]]}}
| commander1        = {{nowrap|{{flagicon|Kingdom of Italy}} [[Ettore Bastico]]<br>{{flagicon|Nazi Germany}} [[Erwin Rommel]]<br>{{flagicon|Nazi Germany}} [[Walther Nehring]]<br>{{flagicon|Kingdom of Italy}} [[Giuseppe De Stefanis]]<br>{{flagicon|Kingdom of Italy}} [[Enea Navarini]]<br>{{flagicon|Kingdom of Italy}} [[Benvenuto Gioda]]}}
| commander2        = {{nowrap|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Claude Auchinleck]]<br>{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[William Ramsden (British Army officer)|William Ramsden]]<br>{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[William Gott]]<br>{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[William Holmes (British Army officer)|William Holmes]]}}
| commander2        = {{nowrap|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Claude Auchinleck]]<br>{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[William Ramsden (British Army officer)|William Ramsden]]<br>{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[William Gott]]<br>{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[William Holmes (British Army officer, born 1892)|William Holmes]]}}
| strength1        = 96,000 troops (56,000 Italian, 40,000 German)<br />70 tanks initially (585 tanks later){{efn|Reported strength on 30 June (55 German and 15 Italian tanks). An unknown number of tanks were also in repair workshops behind the front.}}<ref>{{harvnb|Barr|2005|p=39}}.</ref><br />~500 planes
| strength1        = 96,000 troops (56,000 Italian, 40,000 German)<br />70 tanks initially (585 tanks later){{efn|Reported strength on 30 June (55 German and 15 Italian tanks). An unknown number of tanks were also in repair workshops behind the front.}}<ref>{{harvnb|Barr|2005|p=39}}.</ref><br />~500 planes
| strength2        = 150,000 troops<br />179 tanks initially (1,114 tanks later){{efn|Strength at the frontline on 1 July. In addition 902 tanks were in repair workshops behind the front, of which 34 were serviceable and many unrepairable. }}<ref>{{harvnb|Barr|2005|p=40}}</ref><br />1,000+ artillery pieces<br />1,500+ planes
| strength2        = 150,000 troops<br />179 tanks initially (1,114 tanks later){{efn|Strength at the frontline on 1 July. In addition 902 tanks were in repair workshops behind the front, of which 34 were serviceable and many unrepairable. }}<ref>{{harvnb|Barr|2005|p=40}}</ref><br />1,000+ artillery pieces<br />1,500+ planes
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During the early afternoon, 90th Light had extricated itself from the El Alamein box defences and resumed its move eastward. It came under artillery fire from the three South African brigade groups and was forced to dig in.<ref name="Playfair341"/>
During the early afternoon, 90th Light had extricated itself from the El Alamein box defences and resumed its move eastward. It came under artillery fire from the three South African brigade groups and was forced to dig in.<ref name="Playfair341"/>


On 2 July, Rommel ordered the resumption of the offensive. Once again, 90th Light failed to make progress so Rommel called the ''Afrika Korps'' to abandon its planned sweep southward and instead join the effort to break through to the coast road by attacking east toward Ruweisat Ridge. The British defence of Ruweisat Ridge relied on an improvised formation called "Robcol", comprising a regiment each of field artillery and light anti-aircraft artillery and a company of infantry. Robcol—in line with normal British Army practice for ''ad hoc'' formations—was named after its commander, Brigadier Robert Waller, the Commander Royal Artillery of the 10th Indian Infantry Division.<ref name="Mac582">{{harvnb|Mackenzie|1951|p=582}}.</ref> Robcol was able to buy time, and by late afternoon the two British armoured brigades joined the battle with 4th Armoured Brigade engaging the 15th Panzer Division and 22nd Armoured Brigade and the 21st Panzer Division respectively.<ref>{{harvnb|Playfair|Flynn|Molony|Gleave|2004|pp=342–343}}.</ref> They drove back repeated attacks by the Axis armour, who then withdrew before dusk. The British reinforced Ruweisat on the night of 2 July. The now enlarged Robcol became "Walgroup".<ref name="Mac582"/> Meanwhile, the Royal Air Force (RAF) made heavy air attacks on the Axis units.<ref>{{harvnb|Barr|2005|p=88}}.</ref>
On 2 July, Rommel ordered the resumption of the offensive. Once again, 90th Light failed to make progress so Rommel called the ''Afrika Korps'' to abandon its planned sweep southward and instead join the effort to break through to the coast road by attacking east toward Ruweisat Ridge. The British defence of Ruweisat Ridge relied on an improvised formation called "Robcol", comprising a regiment each of field artillery and light anti-aircraft artillery and a company of infantry. Robcol—in line with normal British Army practice for ''ad hoc'' formations—was named after its commander, Brigadier Robert Waller, the Commander Royal Artillery of the 10th Indian Infantry Division.<ref name="Mac582">{{harvnb|Mackenzie|1951|p=582}}.</ref> Robcol was able to buy time, and by late afternoon the two British armoured brigades joined the battle with 4th Armoured Brigade engaging the 15th Panzer Division, and 22nd Armoured Brigade the 21st Panzer Division respectively.<ref>{{harvnb|Playfair|Flynn|Molony|Gleave|2004|pp=342–343}}.</ref> They drove back repeated attacks by the Axis armour, who then withdrew before dusk. The British reinforced Ruweisat on the night of 2 July. The now enlarged Robcol became "Walgroup".<ref name="Mac582"/> Meanwhile, the Royal Air Force (RAF) made heavy air attacks on the Axis units.<ref>{{harvnb|Barr|2005|p=88}}.</ref>


The next day, 3 July, Rommel ordered the ''Afrika Korps'' to resume its attack on the Ruweisat ridge with the [[Italian XX Motorised Corps]] on its southern flank. [[Italian X Corps]], meanwhile were to hold El Mreir. By this stage the ''Afrika Korps'' had only 26 operational tanks.<ref name="Playfair343">{{harvnb|Playfair|Flynn|Molony|Gleave|2004|p=343}}.</ref> There was a sharp armoured exchange south of Ruweisat ridge during the morning and the main Axis advance was held.<ref name="Playfair343"/> On 3 July, the RAF flew 780 sorties.{{efn|During the period 1 to 27 June the Desert Air Force flew nearly 15,400 sorties.<ref>{{harvnb|Playfair|Flynn|Molony|Gleave|2004|p=335}}.</ref> Auchinleck later wrote in his official despatches "...Our air forces could not have done more than they did to help and sustain the Eighth Army in its struggle. Their effort was continuous by day and night, and the effect on the enemy was tremendous. I am certain that, had it not been for their devoted and exceptional efforts, we should not have been able to stop the enemy on the El Alamein position."<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=38177 |date=13 January 1948 |page=367|supp=y}}</ref>}}
The next day, 3 July, Rommel ordered the ''Afrika Korps'' to resume its attack on the Ruweisat ridge with the [[Italian XX Motorised Corps]] on its southern flank. [[Italian X Corps]], meanwhile were to hold El Mreir. By this stage the ''Afrika Korps'' had only 26 operational tanks.<ref name="Playfair343">{{harvnb|Playfair|Flynn|Molony|Gleave|2004|p=343}}.</ref> There was a sharp armoured exchange south of Ruweisat ridge during the morning and the main Axis advance was held.<ref name="Playfair343"/> On 3 July, the RAF flew 780 sorties.{{efn|During the period 1 to 27 June the Desert Air Force flew nearly 15,400 sorties.<ref>{{harvnb|Playfair|Flynn|Molony|Gleave|2004|p=335}}.</ref> Auchinleck later wrote in his official despatches "...Our air forces could not have done more than they did to help and sustain the Eighth Army in its struggle. Their effort was continuous by day and night, and the effect on the enemy was tremendous. I am certain that, had it not been for their devoted and exceptional efforts, we should not have been able to stop the enemy on the El Alamein position."<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=38177 |date=13 January 1948 |page=367|supp=y}}</ref>}}
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At first light on 11 July, the Australian [[2/24th Battalion (Australia)|2/24th Battalion]] supported by tanks from 44th Royal Tank Regiment attacked the western end of Tel el Eisa hill (Point 24).<ref name="Playfair346"/><ref>{{harvnb|Johnston|Stanley|2002|p=67}}.</ref> By early afternoon, the feature was captured and was then held against a series of Axis counter-attacks throughout the day. A small column of armour, motorised infantry, and guns then set off to raid Deir el Abyad and caused a battalion of Italian infantry to surrender. Its progress was checked at the Miteirya ridge and it was forced to withdraw that evening to the El Alamein box.<ref>{{harvnb|Playfair|Flynn|Molony|Gleave|2004|pp=346–347}}.</ref> During the day, more than 1,000 Italian prisoners were taken.<ref>{{harvnb|Johnston|Stanley|2002|p=68}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Bates|1992|p=143}}.</ref><ref name="Barr114"/><ref>{{harvnb|Barr|2005|p=114}}.</ref>
At first light on 11 July, the Australian [[2/24th Battalion (Australia)|2/24th Battalion]] supported by tanks from 44th Royal Tank Regiment attacked the western end of Tel el Eisa hill (Point 24).<ref name="Playfair346"/><ref>{{harvnb|Johnston|Stanley|2002|p=67}}.</ref> By early afternoon, the feature was captured and was then held against a series of Axis counter-attacks throughout the day. A small column of armour, motorised infantry, and guns then set off to raid Deir el Abyad and caused a battalion of Italian infantry to surrender. Its progress was checked at the Miteirya ridge and it was forced to withdraw that evening to the El Alamein box.<ref>{{harvnb|Playfair|Flynn|Molony|Gleave|2004|pp=346–347}}.</ref> During the day, more than 1,000 Italian prisoners were taken.<ref>{{harvnb|Johnston|Stanley|2002|p=68}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Bates|1992|p=143}}.</ref><ref name="Barr114"/><ref>{{harvnb|Barr|2005|p=114}}.</ref>


On 12 July, the 21st Panzer Division launched a counter-attack against Trig 33 and Point 24, which was beaten off after a 2½-hour fight, with more than 600 German dead and wounded left strewn in front of the Australian positions.<ref name="Barr114">{{harvnb|Johnston|Stanley|2002|p=70}}.</ref> The next day, the 21st ''Panzerdivision'' launched an attack against Point 33 and South African positions in the El Alamein box.<ref>{{harvnb|Johnston|Stanley|2002|p=72}}.</ref>  In the El Alamein Box, the Royal Durban Light Infantry (RDLI) faced the full force of the German attacks. The RDLI did not have adequate anti-tank guns and the German artillery cut the South African telephone cables, disrupting their field artillery support. The attack was halted by intense artillery fire from the defenders. Although the South Africans repulsed the German attack, by 16:10, German tanks and dive bombers had advanced up to 300 metres from the South African positions. The 9th Australian field artillery, 7th British Medium Regiment had to assist in repulsing the German attack. At last light, the 79th British Anti-Tank Regiment was deployed to assist the South African forces, but the German attack was petering out. The South African losses on 13 July totalled nine dead and 42 wounded.  
On 12 July, the 21st Panzer Division launched a counter-attack against Trig 33 and Point 24, which was beaten off after a 2½-hour fight, with more than 600 German dead and wounded left strewn in front of the Australian positions.<ref name="Barr114">{{harvnb|Johnston|Stanley|2002|p=70}}.</ref> The next day, the 21st ''Panzerdivision'' launched an attack against Point 33 and South African positions in the El Alamein box.<ref>{{harvnb|Johnston|Stanley|2002|p=72}}.</ref>  In the El Alamein Box, the Royal Durban Light Infantry (RDLI) faced the full force of the German attacks. The RDLI did not have adequate anti-tank guns and the German artillery cut the South African telephone cables, disrupting their field artillery support. The attack was halted by intense artillery fire from the defenders. Although the South Africans repulsed the German attack, by 16:10, German tanks and dive bombers had advanced up to 300 metres from the South African positions. The 9th Australian field artillery, 7th British Medium Regiment had to assist in repulsing the German attack. At last light, the 79th British Anti-Tank Regiment was deployed to assist the South African forces, but the German attack was petering out. The South African losses on 13 July totalled nine dead and 42 wounded.


South African casualties were relatively light due to their skill in withstanding the German attacks negated their casualties. Had the El Alamein Box been captured by Rommel's forces, the consequences for the Eighth Army would have been devastating; the El Alamein line would have been ruptured, and Australian forces would have been cut off from the Eighth Army and forced into a general retreat to the Nile Delta.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Jacobs |first=Colonel (Dr) C. J. |journal=Military History Journal |issue=2 |date=December 2004 |title=The Role of the 1st South African Division during the First Battle of El Alamein, 1–30 July 1942 |url=http://www.samilitaryhistory.org |publisher=The South African Military History Society |volume=13 |pages=1 |via=Database}}</ref> Rommel was still determined to drive the British forces from the northern salient. Although the Australian defenders had been forced back from Point 24, heavy casualties had been inflicted on 21st Panzer Division.<ref>{{harvnb|Johnston|Stanley|2002|pp=73–76}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Bates|1992|p=145}}.</ref><ref>Maughan (1966), [http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/19/chapters/12.pdf pp. 565–566] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208210804/https://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/19/chapters/12.pdf |date=8 December 2015 }}</ref> Another attack was mounted on 15 July but made no ground against tenacious resistance. On 16 July, the Australians—supported by British tanks—launched an attack to try to take Point 24 but were forced back by German counter-attacks,<ref>{{harvnb|Johnston|Stanley|2002|pp=78–80}}.</ref> suffering nearly fifty per cent casualties.<ref name="Johnston03p86">{{harvnb|Johnston|2003|p=86}}.</ref>
South African casualties were relatively light due to their skill in withstanding the German attacks negated their casualties. Had the El Alamein Box been captured by Rommel's forces, the consequences for the Eighth Army would have been devastating; the El Alamein line would have been ruptured, and Australian forces would have been cut off from the Eighth Army and forced into a general retreat to the Nile Delta.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Jacobs |first=Colonel (Dr) C. J. |journal=Military History Journal |issue=2 |date=December 2004 |title=The Role of the 1st South African Division during the First Battle of El Alamein, 1–30 July 1942 |url=http://www.samilitaryhistory.org |publisher=The South African Military History Society |volume=13 |pages=1 |via=Database}}</ref> Rommel was still determined to drive the British forces from the northern salient. Although the Australian defenders had been forced back from Point 24, heavy casualties had been inflicted on 21st Panzer Division.<ref>{{harvnb|Johnston|Stanley|2002|pp=73–76}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Bates|1992|p=145}}.</ref><ref>Maughan (1966), [http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/19/chapters/12.pdf pp. 565–566] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208210804/https://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/19/chapters/12.pdf |date=8 December 2015 }}</ref> Another attack was mounted on 15 July but made no ground against tenacious resistance. On 16 July, the Australians—supported by British tanks—launched an attack to try to take Point 24 but were forced back by German counter-attacks,<ref>{{harvnb|Johnston|Stanley|2002|pp=78–80}}.</ref> suffering nearly fifty per cent casualties.<ref name="Johnston03p86">{{harvnb|Johnston|2003|p=86}}.</ref>
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While the 2nd New Zealand Division attacked the western slopes of [[Ruweisat Ridge]], the Indian 5th Brigade made small gains on Ruweisat ridge to the east. By 07:00, word finally reached the 2nd Armoured Brigade, which started to move north west. Two regiments became embroiled in a minefield, but the third was able to join Indian 5th Infantry Brigade as it renewed its attack. With the help of the armour and artillery, the Indians were able to take their objectives by early afternoon.<ref name="Playfair349"/> Meanwhile, the 22nd Armoured Brigade had been engaged at Alam Nayil by 90th Light Division and the ''Ariete'' Armoured Division, advancing from the south. While—with help from mobile infantry and artillery columns from 7th Armoured Division—they pushed back the Axis probe with ease, they were prevented from advancing north to protect the New Zealand flank.<ref name="Playfair351">{{harvnb|Playfair|Flynn|Molony|Gleave|2004|p=351}}.</ref>
While the 2nd New Zealand Division attacked the western slopes of [[Ruweisat Ridge]], the Indian 5th Brigade made small gains on Ruweisat ridge to the east. By 07:00, word finally reached the 2nd Armoured Brigade, which started to move north west. Two regiments became embroiled in a minefield, but the third was able to join Indian 5th Infantry Brigade as it renewed its attack. With the help of the armour and artillery, the Indians were able to take their objectives by early afternoon.<ref name="Playfair349"/> Meanwhile, the 22nd Armoured Brigade had been engaged at Alam Nayil by 90th Light Division and the ''Ariete'' Armoured Division, advancing from the south. While—with help from mobile infantry and artillery columns from 7th Armoured Division—they pushed back the Axis probe with ease, they were prevented from advancing north to protect the New Zealand flank.<ref name="Playfair351">{{harvnb|Playfair|Flynn|Molony|Gleave|2004|p=351}}.</ref>


Seeing the ''Brescia'' and ''Pavia'' under pressure, Rommel rushed German troops to Ruweisat. By 15:00, the 3rd Reconnaissance Regiment and part of 21st  Panzer Division from the north and 33rd Reconnaissance Regiment and the Baade Group comprising elements from 15th Panzer Division  from the south were in place under Lieutenant-General (''[[General der Panzertruppe]]'') [[Walther Nehring]].<ref name="Playfair350">{{harvnb|Playfair|Flynn|Molony|Gleave|2004|p=350}}.</ref> At 17:00, Nehring launched his counter-attack. 4th New Zealand Brigade were still short of support weapons and also, by this time, ammunition. Once again, the anti-tank defences were overwhelmed and about 380 New Zealanders were taken prisoner including Captain [[Charles Upham]]<ref name="Playfair350"/> who gained a second [[Victoria Cross]] for his actions, including destroying a German tank, several guns, and vehicles with grenades despite being shot through the elbow by a machine gun bullet. At about 18:00, the brigade HQ was overrun. At about 18:15, the 2nd Armoured Brigade engaged the German armour and halted the Axis eastward advance. At dusk, Nehring broke off the action.<ref name="Playfair350"/>[[File:Commonwealth_and_British_Prisoners_-_1st_battle_of_El_Alamein.jpg|British, Australian and New Zealand POWs awaiting transport to the Italian mainland.|thumb]]Early on 16 July, Nehring renewed his attack. The 5th Indian Infantry Brigade pushed them back, but it was clear from intercepted radio traffic that a further attempt would be made. Strenuous preparations to dig in anti-tank guns were made, artillery fire plans organised, and a regiment from the 22nd Armoured Brigade Gsent to reinforce the 2nd Armoured Brigade.<ref name= "Playfair351"/> When the attack resumed late in the afternoon, it was repulsed. After the battle, the Indians counted 24 knocked out tanks, as well as armoured cars and numerous anti-tank guns left on the battlefield.<ref>{{harvnb|Bharucha|Prasad|1956|p=422}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Barr|2005|pp=143–146}}.</ref>
Seeing the ''Brescia'' and ''Pavia'' under pressure, Rommel rushed German troops to Ruweisat. By 15:00, the 3rd Reconnaissance Regiment and part of 21st  Panzer Division from the north and 33rd Reconnaissance Regiment and the Baade Group comprising elements from 15th Panzer Division  from the south were in place under Lieutenant-General (''[[General der Panzertruppe]]'') [[Walther Nehring]].<ref name="Playfair350">{{harvnb|Playfair|Flynn|Molony|Gleave|2004|p=350}}.</ref> At 17:00, Nehring launched his counter-attack. 4th New Zealand Brigade were still short of support weapons and also, by this time, ammunition. Once again, the anti-tank defences were overwhelmed and about 380 New Zealanders were taken prisoner including Captain [[Charles Upham]]<ref name="Playfair350"/> who gained a second [[Victoria Cross]] for his actions, including destroying a German tank, several guns, and vehicles with grenades despite being shot through the elbow by a machine gun bullet. At about 18:00, the brigade HQ was overrun. At about 18:15, the 2nd Armoured Brigade engaged the German armour and halted the Axis eastward advance. At dusk, Nehring broke off the action.<ref name="Playfair350"/>[[File:Commonwealth_and_British_Prisoners_-_1st_battle_of_El_Alamein.jpg|British, Australian and New Zealand POWs awaiting transport to the Italian mainland.|thumb]]
 
Early on 16 July, Nehring renewed his attack. The 5th Indian Infantry Brigade pushed them back, but it was clear from intercepted radio traffic that a further attempt would be made. Strenuous preparations to dig in anti-tank guns were made, artillery fire plans organised, and a regiment from the 22nd Armoured Brigade Gsent to reinforce the 2nd Armoured Brigade.<ref name= "Playfair351"/> When the attack resumed late in the afternoon, it was repulsed. After the battle, the Indians counted 24 knocked out tanks, as well as armoured cars and numerous anti-tank guns left on the battlefield.<ref>{{harvnb|Bharucha|Prasad|1956|p=422}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Barr|2005|pp=143–146}}.</ref>
In three days' fighting, the Allies took more than 2,000 Axis prisoners, mostly from the Italian ''Brescia'' and ''Pavia'' Divisions; the New Zealand division suffered 1,405 casualties.<ref>{{harvnb|Barr|2005|pp=118–142}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Scoullar|1955|pp=232–298}}.</ref> The fighting at Tel el Eisa and Ruweisat had caused the destruction of three Italian divisions, forced Rommel to redeploy his armour from the south, and made it necessary to lay minefields in front of the remaining Italian divisions and stiffen them with detachments of German troops.<ref name="Hinsley405"/>
In three days' fighting, the Allies took more than 2,000 Axis prisoners, mostly from the Italian ''Brescia'' and ''Pavia'' Divisions; the New Zealand division suffered 1,405 casualties.<ref>{{harvnb|Barr|2005|pp=118–142}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Scoullar|1955|pp=232–298}}.</ref> The fighting at Tel el Eisa and Ruweisat had caused the destruction of three Italian divisions, forced Rommel to redeploy his armour from the south, and made it necessary to lay minefields in front of the remaining Italian divisions and stiffen them with detachments of German troops.<ref name="Hinsley405"/>


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===Second Battle of Ruweisat Ridge (El Mreir)===
===Second Battle of Ruweisat Ridge (El Mreir)===
[[File:The British Army in North Africa 1942 E14114.jpg|thumb|A 25-pdr field gun of 11th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, in action, July 1942.]]
[[File:The British Army in North Africa 1942 E14114.jpg|thumb|A 25-pdr field gun of 11th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, in action, July 1942.]]
The Eighth Army now enjoyed a massive superiority in material over the Axis forces: 1st Armoured Division had 173 tanks and more in reserve or in transit,<ref name="Playfair353">{{harvnb|Playfair|Flynn|Molony|Gleave|2004|p=353}}.</ref> including 61 [[Grant (tank)|Grants]]<ref name="Hinsley405">{{harvnb|Hinsley|1981|p=405}}.</ref> while Rommel possessed only 38 German tanks and 51 Italian tanks<ref>Maughan (1966), [http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/19/chapters/12.pdf p. 577] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208210804/https://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/19/chapters/12.pdf |date=8 December 2015 }}</ref><ref>Scoullar (1955), [https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Egyp-c29.html#n328 p.328] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081016060853/http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Egyp-c29.html#n328 |date=16 October 2008 }} and [https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Egyp-c29.html#n337 p.337] </ref> although his armoured units had some 100 tanks awaiting repair.<ref name="Playfair353"/>
The Eighth Army now enjoyed a massive superiority in material over the Axis forces: 1st Armoured Division had 173 tanks and more in reserve or in transit,<ref name="Playfair353">{{harvnb|Playfair|Flynn|Molony|Gleave|2004|p=353}}.</ref> including 61 [[Grant (tank)|Grants]]<ref name="Hinsley405">{{harvnb|Hinsley|1981|p=405}}.</ref> while Rommel possessed only 38 German tanks and 51 Italian tanks<ref>Maughan (1966), [http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/19/chapters/12.pdf p. 577] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208210804/https://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/19/chapters/12.pdf |date=8 December 2015 }}</ref><ref>Scoullar (1955), [https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Egyp-c29.html#n328 p.328] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081016060853/http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Egyp-c29.html#n328 |date=16 October 2008 }} and [https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Egyp-c29.html#n337 p.337]</ref> although his armoured units had some 100 tanks awaiting repair.<ref name="Playfair353"/>


Auchinleck's plan was for Indian Infantry 161st Brigade to attack along Ruweisat ridge to take Deir el Shein, while the New Zealand 6th Brigade attacked from south of the ridge to the El Mreir depression. At daylight, two British armoured brigades—2nd Armoured Brigade and the fresh 23rd Armoured Brigade—would sweep through the gap created by the infantry. The plan was complicated and ambitious.<ref>Scoullar (1955), [https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Egyp-c29.html#n319 pp. 319–337] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081016060853/http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Egyp-c29.html#n319 |date=16 October 2008 }}</ref>
Auchinleck's plan was for Indian Infantry 161st Brigade to attack along Ruweisat ridge to take Deir el Shein, while the New Zealand 6th Brigade attacked from south of the ridge to the El Mreir depression. At daylight, two British armoured brigades—2nd Armoured Brigade and the fresh 23rd Armoured Brigade—would sweep through the gap created by the infantry. The plan was complicated and ambitious.<ref>Scoullar (1955), [https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Egyp-c29.html#n319 pp. 319–337] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081016060853/http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Egyp-c29.html#n319 |date=16 October 2008 }}</ref>
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[[File:Valentine tank Mk3 desert.jpg|left|upright=1.3|thumb|A [[Valentine tank]] in North Africa, carrying British infantry]]
[[File:Valentine tank Mk3 desert.jpg|left|upright=1.3|thumb|A [[Valentine tank]] in North Africa, carrying British infantry]]
This was the third attempt to break through in the northern sector, and the Axis defenders were expecting the attack.<ref>{{harvnb|Barr|2005|p=176}}; {{harvnb|Bates|1992|p=216}}.</ref> Like the previous attacks, it was hurriedly and therefore poorly planned.<ref>{{harvnb|Bates|1992|p=217}}.</ref> The Australian 24th Brigade managed to take their objectives on Miteirya Ridge by 02:00{{efn|Playfair states that the "...timing soon fell behind, but by 3&nbsp;am the Australians had taken their objective"<ref name= "Playfair358"/>}} of 27 July.<ref>{{harvnb|Johnston|Stanley|2002|p=102–106}}; {{harvnb|Bates|1992|p=219}}.</ref> To the south, the British 69th Brigade set off at 01:30 and managed to take their objectives by about 08:00. However, the supporting anti-tank units became lost in the darkness or delayed by minefields, leaving the attackers isolated and exposed when daylight came. There followed a period during which reports from the battlefront regarding the minefield gaps were confused and conflicting. As a consequence, the advance of 2nd Armoured Brigade was delayed.<ref name= "Playfair358"/><ref>{{harvnb|Barr|2005|pp=178–179, 181–182}}.</ref> Rommel launched an immediate counter-attack and the German armoured battlegroups overran the two forward battalions of 69th Brigade.<ref name= "Playfair358"/><ref>{{harvnb|Barr|2005|pp=179–181}}; {{harvnb|Johnston|Stanley|2002|p=107–112}}; {{harvnb|Bates|1992|pp=224–225}}.</ref> Meanwhile, 50th RTR supporting the Australians was having difficulty locating the minefield gaps made by Australian 2/24th Battalion. They failed to find a route through and in the process were caught by heavy fire and lost 13 tanks. The unsupported 2/28th Australian battalion on the ridge was overrun. The 69th Brigade suffered 600 casualties and the Australians 400 for no gain.<ref name="Playfair358"/>
This was the third attempt to break through in the northern sector, and the Axis defenders were expecting the attack.<ref>{{harvnb|Barr|2005|p=176}}; {{harvnb|Bates|1992|p=216}}.</ref> Like the previous attacks, it was hurriedly and therefore poorly planned.<ref>{{harvnb|Bates|1992|p=217}}.</ref> The Australian 24th Brigade managed to take their objectives on Miteirya Ridge by 02:00{{efn|Playfair states that the "...timing soon fell behind, but by 3&nbsp;am the Australians had taken their objective"<ref name= "Playfair358"/>}} of 27 July.<ref>{{harvnb|Johnston|Stanley|2002|pp=102–106}}; {{harvnb|Bates|1992|p=219}}.</ref> To the south, the British 69th Brigade set off at 01:30 and managed to take their objectives by about 08:00. However, the supporting anti-tank units became lost in the darkness or delayed by minefields, leaving the attackers isolated and exposed when daylight came. There followed a period during which reports from the battlefront regarding the minefield gaps were confused and conflicting. As a consequence, the advance of 2nd Armoured Brigade was delayed.<ref name= "Playfair358"/><ref>{{harvnb|Barr|2005|pp=178–179, 181–182}}.</ref> Rommel launched an immediate counter-attack and the German armoured battlegroups overran the two forward battalions of 69th Brigade.<ref name= "Playfair358"/><ref>{{harvnb|Barr|2005|pp=179–181}}; {{harvnb|Johnston|Stanley|2002|pp=107–112}}; {{harvnb|Bates|1992|pp=224–225}}.</ref> Meanwhile, 50th RTR supporting the Australians was having difficulty locating the minefield gaps made by Australian 2/24th Battalion. They failed to find a route through and in the process were caught by heavy fire and lost 13 tanks. The unsupported 2/28th Australian battalion on the ridge was overrun. The 69th Brigade suffered 600 casualties and the Australians 400 for no gain.<ref name="Playfair358"/>


The Eighth Army was exhausted, and on 31 July Auchinleck ordered an end to offensive operations and the strengthening of the defences to meet a major counter-offensive.
The Eighth Army was exhausted, and on 31 July Auchinleck ordered an end to offensive operations and the strengthening of the defences to meet a major counter-offensive.
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[[Category:Conflicts in 1942]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1942]]
[[Category:1942 in Egypt|First Battle of El Alamein]]
[[Category:1942 in Egypt|First Battle of El Alamein]]
[[Category:July 1942|First Battle of El Alamein]]
[[Category:July 1942 in Africa|First Battle of El Alamein]]
[[Category:Western Desert campaign]]
[[Category:Western Desert campaign]]
[[Category:Battles of World War II involving Australia]]
[[Category:Battles of World War II involving Australia]]
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