DIE ROL VAN DIE EERSTE SUID-AFRIKAANSE INFANTERIEDIVISIE TYDENS DIE GEVEGTE BY EL ALAMEIN, JULIE TOT NOVEMBER 1942

• Main Author: C.J. Jacobs
• Format: Article
• Language: Afrikaans
• Published: Stellenbosch University 2012-02-01
• Series: Scientia Militaria
• Subjects: First Battle of El Alamein; Second Battle of EI Alamein; Fifth Indian Division; the First South African Division; the Ninth Australian Division; Erwin Rommel; British Eigth Army; Ruweisat Ridge; the Mediterranean Sea; Gen. Dan Pienaar
• Online Access: http://scientiamilitaria.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/323

<p><em>The role of the First South African Infantry Division in the first Battle of El Alamein, 1-30 July </em>1942. The First Battle of EI Alamein (1-30 July 1942) was the turning-point in<em> </em>the course of the Second World War in North Africa. Under the command of Gen.<em> </em>C.J.E. Auchinleck, the British Eigth Army finally succeeded in halting the advance<em> </em>of Erwin Rommel, the able German general, to the Suez Canal. Through drastically<em> </em>changing the British battle strategy, Auchinleck prepared the way for Gen. B.L.<em> </em>(Monty) Montgomery's later triumph at the Second Battle of EI Alamein in October<em> </em>1942. Auchinleck's July success was due in no small manner to the stubborn resistance<em> </em>of the Fifth Indian Division, the First South African Division and the Ninth Australian<em> </em>Division. This prevented Rommel from breaking through the Eighth Army's<em> </em>positions between Ruweisat Ridge and the Mediterranean Sea. These battles also<em> </em>emphasized the leadership quality of Gen. Dan Pienaar and his fellow South African<em> </em>officers.</p>