Bernard Montgomery

Defeats Rommel's attack at Alam Halfa, protecting the approaches to Cairo and the Suez Canal.

Rommel attacks the Alam Halfa Ridge

Rommels attack is turned back, Cairo & Alexandra are safeguarded

Montgomery issues final plans for the Eighth Army's offensive before the Second Battle of El Alamein.

Launches an attack at El Alamein to stop the Axis advance toward the Suez Canal.

Launches the El Alamein offensive that turns back the Axis threat to Egypt and the Suez Canal.

Montgomery launches a diversionary attack in the southern sector on the opening night of the battle.

Montgomery launches the Second Battle of El Alamein with coordinated attacks by XXX Corps and XIII Corps.

Montgomery confirms that the breakout effort must continue despite stubborn Axis resistance.

Axis tankers Proserpina and Tergeste are sunk, worsening fuel shortages during the battle.

The loss of Axis supply tankers deprives Panzer Army Africa of fuel during the battle.

Montgomery's offensive forces Rommel's army into retreat during the Second Battle of El Alamein.

Montgomery's offensive reduces the Axis armoured reserve to a small number of serviceable tanks.

The British armoured formations break through the Axis front as the Second Battle of El Alamein nears its decision.

Rommel tries to halt the Eighth 200 miles east of Tripoli but retreats to Tripoli

Defeats Rommel in the Wadu Akarit in Tunisia

47 divisions are committed to the Battle of Normandy: 19 British, 5 Canadian, 21 US & 1 Free French

A major objective, was still in German hands by the end of D-Day, and would remain so until the battle for Caen, 8 August

Secures the Nijmegen Bridge & the South Bank of the Lek

Arnhem was a victory for the Germans (albeit tempered by their losses further south]) and a major defeat for the British army. The Allies withdrew from the southern bank of the Rhine and the front stabilised on "the island" between the Rhine and Waal rivers

Montgomery orders a retreat, the British lose 1,130 killed & 6,000 taken prisoner

The 1st airborne retreats, 2,200 are evacuated, 7,000 are captured, killed or wounded

Orders are given to join up with the Second Army on the south bank of the Rhine

Although the Germans counterattacked in October they were repulsed and subsequently the front line in The Netherlands would not move until after the winter

The British cross the Rhine at Wesel

Montgomery & Rokossovsky join together at Wismar