A view from the Egyptian base area

14th July 1942: Despite halting Rommel's latest attack, the morale of the British Army in Egypt is uncertain

A Cecil Beaton portrait of an Army map room, Middle East 1942.

The British Middle East HQ in Cairo, Egypt had seen some unseemly scenes during the recent German offensive. Fears that Rommel might break through as far as Cairo had seen staff officers frantically burning confidential papers. The Middle East Commander in Chief, Auchinleck had had to take d…