The battles of El Alamein were fought in Egypt, between July and November 1942, in an area of ​​about 2500 km2 (50x50km) included - from north to south - between the railway station of the same name and the El Qattara Depression, and extended - from west to east - from the Ghazal station to that of El Imayid.

Although commonly referred to as a desert, the territory has numerous peculiarities. In fact, there are over twenty minor depressions characterized by soft sand impassable to wheeled vehicles and some crests and ridges equally difficult for motor vehicles.

We remember Deir El Mreir, Deir El Munhassib and Deir El Shein among the first, El Ruweisat, El Miteriya and Alam El Halfa among the second, adding that there were also very respectable heights transformed into authentic fortresses: the legendary Kaponga Box defended by the New Zealanders during the first battle and the Qaret El Himeimat peak described by Paolo Caccia Dominioni as the scene of one of the most decisive clashes of the last battle between the Lions of the Folgore and the Desert Rats.

The research conducted has therefore debunked the myth that the battlefield was a simple expanse of sand prone to warfare of movement and has revealed the presence of caves used to house HQ and field hospitals.  

"Access to recently declassified confidential documents and the contribution of new researchers has allowed us to recreate the appearance of the battlefield with a high level of graphic detail," explains Emanuele Santandrea, director of historical research. 

Continues: "The use of advanced vector drawing techniques has allowed us to go down to a level of detail that would not have been possible until a few years ago and I do not hide from you that the idea of ​​offering the material to the general public is leading me to consider the idea of ​​creating a navigation portal dedicated to the results of our research". 

Until now, the El Alamein railway station was known to the world for this image: 

Now we can show that the station was made up of more than one building.

And we can enjoy new images that represent it not only from behind: 

But that reveal some details that were previously unknown to the general public, such as the writings on the walls written by the hands of the protagonists. 

And we show how the Tel[l] El Eisa station looked after the battle on July 1, 1942.

Note that the spelling adopted on the road sign is different from the ones reported on the maps available till now:

In this context, it should not be surprising that counting on an efficient logistics network capable of supplying the front line with supplies - and water on top - was among the priorities of the high commands of the time. 

And what about the air forces and the role played by the contenders in gaining the equally vital control of the skies?

Stay tuned... And more details will follow!

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