Thread by @WalkingGround

Welcome to the #watchparty #livetweet of Battlefields: El Alamein.

The 2001 documentary, presented by military historian Richard Holmes, is available on YouTube.



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Richard Holmes (1946-2011) was a British military historian and army officer.

Known to the British public for his television documentaries, he once explained, "I don't really see myself as a TV presenter. I'm a historian who likes telling stories."

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The Second Battle of El Alamein took place from 23 October - 11 November 1942.

The Allied commander was Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery. (IWM E 18980).

The Axis commander was Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (BArch 101I-443-1582-32).

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“This is a field of battle like no other…”

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“I watched the Germans come over this ridge…”

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Panzer Mk III on the 1st escarpment above Mersa Matruh, June 1942 (BArch 101I-785-0293-45).

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“An obscure railway halt called Alamein…”

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“The Prime Minister flew to Egypt to see things for himself…”

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Lt Gen Bernard Law Montgomery assumed command of the Eighth Army on 13 August 1942.

“"I have cancelled the plan for withdrawal. If we are attacked, then there will be no retreat. If we cannot stay here alive, then we will stay here dead."

IWM E 15787.

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Monty wearing his bush hat decorated with the badges of some of the units which served under him.

IWM E 19699.

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“Rommel’s aim was to smash his way over the Alam Halfa ridge…”

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“Along the whole of the 35 mile front, for months, both sides had been laying anti tank mines…”

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Mk V anti-tank mine.

Contained a HE charge of 8.25 lbs (TNT or Baratol) requiring 350 lbs of pressure to detonate.

IWM MUN 195.

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South African sappers laying anti tank mines.

IWM E 15167.

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“The leading troops, in this sector, highlanders of 51st Division…”

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“We knew that we were the Highland Division going into battle…”

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“He took one of the toughest decisions that a general has to face…”

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“The Germans attacked the British at Snipe all day in waves…”

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“We got through the minefields and broke into open ground…”

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“This is what everyone had been waiting for…”

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“Today, the desert is almost as empty as it was before the fighting…”

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“This great citizen army of brickies and barristers, teachers and taxi drivers, had come of age…”

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“It was a heavy toll for one unit…”

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Thank you for joining our #watchparty #livetweet of ‘Battlefields: El Alamein.’

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