Battle Story: El Alamein 1942

Battle Story

by Pier Paolo Battistelli

The Second Battle of El Alamein marked a major turning point in the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War. El Alamein saw two of the greatest generals of the war pitted against each Rommel and Montgomery. Through key profiles and a chapter devoted to ‘The Armies’ Battle El Alamein explores what made these men inspired leaders and what led to their respective defeat and victory. Montgomery’s success ensured that the Axis army was unable to occupy Egypt and therefore gain control of the Suez Canal or the Middle Eastern oil fields, thereby preventing a major source of income and power for them. The background and impact of the battle are explored in separate chapters, so offering the reader a clear insight into why what happened in this remote part Egypt was so central to the Allied cause. Through quotes and maps the text explores the unfolding action of the battle and puts the reader on the frontline. If you truly want to understand what happened and why – read Battle Story.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

160 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2011

About the author

Pier Paolo Battistelli earned his PhD in Military History at the University of Padua. A scholar of German and Italian politics and strategy throughout World War II, he is active in Italy and abroad writing books and essays on military history subjects.

Reviews

[Robin Braysher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've owned this for a while, but decided the 80th anniversary of the battle was the ideal time to read it. I've read other books in this series, although this is the first on a Second World War subject. It's a compact and workmanlike account of the battle, with plenty of photos, timelines, clear maps (maybe not enough!) and a schematic of the opposing forces (all b&w). It's logically set out and, as someone who hasn't considered the battle since it featured it the pages of 'The Victor', I found it a good account with a useful summing up and recommendations for further reading. The choice of an Italian author is an interesting one, although there's no reason why the battle - even an 'iconic' one like this - has to be described by a Brit! He clearly knows his way round this theatre and it ensures that the Italians get their due and aren't just seen as bit players with 8th Army and the DAK.

I have a few criticisms which are probably just a matter of taste. I spotted a few irritating typos and I found some of the sentences a bit convoluted, which may be because the author - who has excellent English - is not a native speaker. Also, I found the text rather dense, without even a line between paragraphs; a bit of white space and maybe some bullet lists may have made it more digestible (although the little 'boxes of facts' do help). Perhaps the main problem for me - again a matter of taste - is that I don't follow battles very well in text alone, I need lots of maps and may well have to find an animated account on YouTube to really get it in my head!

A small book like this can only be an introduction to the battle - something it does well - but having listened to the WHWOMYT daily podcasts on the battle this week, I realise there are many other aspects to be explored: intelligence, the US contribution, the Desert Air Force ...

[Mark Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read plenty of detail and insight into the battle

[Steve Dempsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short history of the battle but not an easy read. Technically, a very detailed account of the battle with maps to help but I felt it was too technical in parts.

[Luke Sayer · Rating 1 out of 5]

The least engaging and most dull account of a remarkable historical period imaginable. Lacking in critical commentary, statistics and originality, it's repetitive and tiresome.