New Zealanders attack in the desert

15th July 1942: Two Victoria Crosses are awarded for gallantry during fighting to secure the El Alamein position

4.5-inch field gun firing at night against enemy armoured concentrations at El Alamein, July 1942.

There was fierce fighting as British forces sought to improve their positions south of El Alamein. The attacks had successfully prevented Rommel from mounting his assault into Egypt but he had now bolstered the Italian positions with German troops - the def…