El Alamein: The Allied Offensive Opens
On the night of October 23, 1942, Allied forces opened the Second Battle of El Alamein in Egypt.
Published · Updated · 1 min read
The Opening Barrage
On the night of October 23, 1942, Allied forces opened the Second Battle of El Alamein in Egypt. An extensive artillery barrage preceded the infantry offensive.
A Multinational Army
British and Commonwealth formations participated, including Australian troops. The operation should not be reduced to one national contingent or one commander’s personal effort.
Operation Lightfoot
The opening phase was known as Lightfoot. Breaking through prepared defenses required sustained work rather than an immediate sweep across open desert.
A Battle With Later Phases
The later Supercharge operation followed in early November. The decisive outcome developed over days, so the opening date is not the date when every objective was achieved.
Evidence of the First Night
The Australian War Memorial holds dated imagery describing the barrage and the 9th Australian Division’s role. Such records help reconstruct sequence without turning warfare into spectacle.
Sources
Found an error? Send a correction. Read our editorial standards.