✦ History

Part of Western Desert campaign

First Battle of El Alamein

July 1–27, 1942 · El Alamein

Result Stalemate

British Commonwealth forces stopped the advance of Rommel's Axis army into Egypt. The battle ended in a stalemate.

On the map Contemporaries

Axis

Allies

Italy
Germany
United Kingdom
Kingdom of Egypt
British Raj
New Zealand
Australia
Union of South Africa
Erwin Rommel military commander Walther Nehring military commander Giuseppe De Stefanis military commander Ettore Bastico military commander
Claude Auchinleck military commander William Gott military commander

Strength and losses

Casualties
10,000
Captured
7,000
Aircraft
c. 500
Strength
150,000
Casualties
13,250
Aircraft
1,500
Guns
1,000

Units

Afrika Korps 101st Motorized Division "Trieste" 132nd Armored Division "Ariete" 133rd Armored Division "Littorio" 185th Infantry Division "Folgore" 27th Infantry Division "Brescia"
20th Brigade (Australia) 17th Horse (Poona Horse)