The Afrika Korps under General Erwin Rommel drove the British army halfway across Egypt until they were finally stymied by logistical issues outside the small town of El Alamein. Having learned from Ultra intercepts of German weaknesses, newly appointed British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery used massive artillery bombardments, aerial strafing and the sinking of German supply ships to turn the tied of battle and drive the Afrika Corps from their defensive positions after a fierce 19-day long battle.
—David Bassler