Having been surrounded by German forces, the New Zealanders launch a ferocious night attack against the 21st Panzer Division to the east. Having been badly defeated by Axis forces at Gazala in June 1942, the British Eighth Army retreated east into Egypt and assumed a defensive position near El Alamein. This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. Fought near the western frontier of Egypt between 23 October and 4 November 1942, El Alamein was the climax and turning point of the North African campaign of World War Two (1939-45). El Alamein El Alamein is a small town on the north coast of Egypt, on the railway line about sixty miles west of Alexandria; it is famous as the site of major battles between British and German forces during the Second World War. The Second Battle of El Alamein was fought from October 23, 1942 to November 5, 1942 during World War II (1939-1945) and was the turning point of the campaign in the Western Desert. The First Battle of El Alamein saw the Allies stall the progress of Italian and German armies. The Battle of El Alamein was a battle during the Western Desert Campaign fought in 1942. The first battle of El Alamein (1-27 July 1942) was a series of engagements in the area south of El Alamein in which Rommel's run of victories in 1942 was finally brought to an end. Here are ten facts about the Battle of El Alamein. The Battle of El Alamein (Arabic:معركة العلمين) was a battle during the Western Desert Campaign fought in 1942.A crucial battle between the weakened German forces and the resurgent British, the battle marked a major turning point in the campaign, ending Axis hopes of occupying Egypt, taking control of the Suez Canal, and gaining access to the Middle Eastern oil fields. The Second Battle of El Alamein, 23 October – 11 November, was a decisive turning point in the desert war. On 28 June 1942 the New Zealand Division completes a famous 'breakout' at Minqar Qaim. The First Battle of El Alamein was fought July 1-27, 1942, during World War II (1939-1945). Having been driven east by Axis forces in 1942, the British had established a strong defensive line at El Alamein, Egypt. The Second Battle of El Alamein, or simply El Alamein is a ground forces map available in all modes. The Axis army of Italy and Germany suffered a decisive defeat by the British Eighth Army. The Battle of El Alamein begins. El Alamein is within reach of two particularly famous Egyptian cities, both Alexandria and Cairo.Alexandria lies around 105 km / 65 miles to the east of El Alamein, while Cairo is just over 240 km / 149 miles to the south-east and is home of the world-famous Giza pyramids.