ALAM HALFA August 31,1942

The battle of Alam Halfa is considered by some to be the turning point of the desert war. In August of 1942 the German-Italian Panzerarmee, because of the supply situation and other factors, had to make a decision whether to fall back or go forward. Staying in position was not an option.Because of political factors the decision was made to go forward.The Germans could not break through the Eighth Army front so a way around the flank had to be found. The plan finally adopted was similar to Gazala. The striking force, consisting of the 90th Light Division, elements of the Italian Armored Corps, and the Afrika Korps, was to swing around the British left flank and advance on the Alam Halfa Ridge. This was a key position in the rear of the Eighth Army, and its capture would decide the battle. In case of a successful operation the 21st Panzer would advance on Alexandria; 90th Light and 15th Panzer would move on Cairo. The advance began on the night of 30/31 August and required the penetration of a thick minefield belt. Getting through the minefield proved more difficult than planned and losses were encountered. Also the German's timetable was thrown off and the attack came close to being canceled. Just as this was about to happen the Afrika Korps got through and made substantial progress. It was late afternoon when the attack against Alam Halfa Ridge went in. The ridge was defended by British infantry and the dug in tanks of the 22nd Armored Brigade covered by artillery. The Germans came in led by the PzKw IVF's of 21st Panzer armed with 75mm high velocity guns. The British opened up at 1000 yards and the response was immediate and within minutes one of the squadrons of the County of London Yeomanry Regiment ceased to exist. There were also gaps inthe German lines but on they came. At 300 yards theconcealed anti-tank guns of the 1st Rifle Bde opened up, and while they took a steady toll some of the positions wereoverrun. At this point the Royal Scots Greys, being held in reserve on the reverse slope, were ordered in. They came in firing every gun they had and just managed to stop the German assault. The British were then able to shift their attention to the German units which had moved around the flanks. The next morning the British 8th Armored Brigade arrived, and while the battle was inconclusive Rommel was forced to accept that with his dwindling fuel reserves he was unable to fight his way through the strong defensive positions. The Germans were faced with insufficient fuel to maneuver as they would have liked. Also the British had ample artillery and the Desert Air Force conducted almost nonstop bombing. The result was a British victory. The Germans did manage to retain their hold on the British minefields on the southern flank.