The Desert Army prepares to attack

19th October 1942: In North Africa the British Eighth Army practises breaking through the German defensive line

The British had much new equipment supplied under the American Lend Lease programme. A jeep and Sherman tanks - with incomplete camouflage - of HQ 2nd Armoured Brigade, 10 October 1942.

In North Africa the British Eighth Army commander, Bernard Montgomery, was preparing for battle. He was determined to do so at the time of his choosing. A key part of his…