The Second Battle of El Alamein was a major turning point in the North African Campaign of World War II.

It was fought in Egypt between the British Eighth Army, commanded by General Bernard Montgomery, and the German-Italian Panzer Army, commanded by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel.

Rommel's advance across North Africa had pushed the British back deep into Egypt, threatening the Suez Canal.

El Alamein was the last major defensive line for the British.

Montgomery meticulously built up a massive advantage in men, tanks, and artillery before launching his offensive in October 1942.

The battle was a grinding, 12-day war of attrition.

The British forces eventually broke through the Axis lines.

The battle resulted in a decisive victory for the British and forced Rommel's army into a long retreat across North Africa.

It was the first major land victory for the Western Allies in the war against Germany.

Winston Churchill famously said of the battle, 'Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.'