DESERT VICTORY [Main Title]

Film of the battle of El Alamein.

Desperate situation following fall of Tobruk. 8th Army conducts a fighting retreat of 400 miles, deliberately falling back on El Alamein, a naturally strong defensive line. Imminent battle approaches in importance the Battle of Britain. German advance halted. Churchill visits troops bringing new commanders and promise of reinforcements. Montgomery: a modern Cromwell. British and US war production. Lines of supply described. Further German attacks defeated. 8th Army receives Shermans. Rommel's supplies disrupted by air attack. Alexander speaks on the value of training and physical fitness. Disposition of German and Allied forces. Value of joint planning. Montgomery ensures that every soldier understands his role in the coming offensive. Opening barrage. Detailed description of the battle and British breakthrough. Afrika Korps "utterly broken and possessed of no thought but flight". Rommel abandons Italians. Allied pursuit - 1400 miles in 80 days, a "feat unparalleled in military history". Naval role in supplying advancing troops. Italian Empire has been extinguished. Film ends with a triumphant military parade in Tripoli. Film deliberately degrades Rommel's military reputation, and emphasises Allied strength - featuring a wide variety of military equipment - and the remorseless pursuit - advancing armour, strafing runs, columns of prisoners, etc.

35mm