Alamein

From the author of The Most Dangerous Enemy, a study of the history, strategy, and logistics of the pivotal World War II battles at El Alamein.

El Alamein was the Second World War land battle Britain had to win. By the summer of 1942 Rommel’s German forces were threatening to sweep through the Western Desert and drive on to the Suez Canal, and Britain desperately needed a victory.

In July, Rommel was halted. Then, in October, after twelve days of attritional fighting, Montgomery’s Eighth Army broke through the German and Italian lines at El Alamein. It was a turning-point in the war after which, in Churchill’s words, “we never had a defeat.”

Stephen Bungay’s superbly readable narrative complements his definitive study of the Battle of Britain, The Most Dangerous Enemy, illuminating every aspect of this most famous episode of the Desert War, from the crucial logistics of keeping the distant armies supplied to the terror of battle in tormenting heat that was the soldier’s war.

Praise for Alamein

“Terse and brilliantly written by a thorough master of his subject.” —John Lukacs, Los Angeles Times

“A brilliant balance between lucid analysis and piquant detail . . . masterly chapters.” —Lawrence James, Daily Mail (UK)

“A broad and pacy overview in a short compass.” —Hew Strachan, Times Literary Supplement (UK)