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[Narrator] In 1942, Field
Marshal Erwin Rommel,
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the Desert Fox, brings
blitzkrieg to Egypt.
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00:00:08,111 --> 00:00:10,872
[gun blasting]
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00:00:12,357 --> 00:00:13,254
All that stands between
his panzers and Cairo
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00:00:13,254 --> 00:00:15,601
is the British
Eighth Army.
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00:00:16,740 --> 00:00:19,502
General Bernard
Montgomery
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00:00:19,502 --> 00:00:20,675
must fight back in
the desert dunes.
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[dramatic music]
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Now, newly
colorized footage
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takes us to the
heart of the action.
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[gun rattling]
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00:00:30,513 --> 00:00:30,754
100-degree heat, brutal
sandstorms, and swarms of
flies
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create punishing
fighting conditions.
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00:00:36,277 --> 00:00:37,313
-[explosions blasting]
-[airplane engines whirring]
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00:00:40,281 --> 00:00:41,179
As German fighter aces
dominate the skies,
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00:00:42,525 --> 00:00:44,837
British battleships
contest the seas.
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00:00:44,837 --> 00:00:46,632
[guns booming]
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The Battle of El Alamein
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will decide the fate
of North Africa.
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[dramatic music]
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[gentle thoughtful music]
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British Flight
Lieutenant Robert Milward
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records his descent into the
Egyptian capital, Cairo.
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Europe is on the
brink of war.
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But 2,000 miles
from London,
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Milward has time
to see the sights.
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The pyramids at Giza are
top of any tourists' list.
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Milward saves much of his
film for the Great Pyramid.
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The last intact wonder
of the ancient world.
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But he's not
here for R&R.
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He's collecting new
Bristol Blenheim bombers,
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destined for the front
lines of the coming war.
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The British have maintained
a colonial presence in Egypt
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since the late 19th century.
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00:02:08,024 --> 00:02:09,922
They fight against
the Ottoman Turks
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to defend it during
the First World War,
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and they prepare to do so
again against the Germans
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and Italians during
the Second World War.
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[Narrator] The jewel in
Egypt's crown is the Suez
Canal.
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[Robert] The Suez Canal is the
lifeline of the British
Empire.
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00:02:24,558 --> 00:02:27,733
It's the link between
the British Isles
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and that gigantic Asian
empire that sustains Britain.
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[Narrator]Ships carrying oil
from Iran, food from India,
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or troops from Australia, can
use the canal as a shortcut
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between the Indian Ocean
and the Mediterranean.
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It saves a two-week detour
around Africa on each trip.
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But it makes North Africa
coveted real estate
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for ambitious
imperial powers.
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[crowd cheering]
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In the German city of
Munich, Fuhrer Adolf Hitler
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00:03:02,665 --> 00:03:05,978
receives Italian Duce
Benito Mussolini.
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The two men have formed a
fascist military alliance,
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known as the Axis.
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Hitler has great
success in Europe
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in the early stages of
the Second World War.
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But Mussolini
is frustrated
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by the rather limited
Italian contribution.
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[Benito] For fascism,
the growth of empire,
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00:03:26,827 --> 00:03:29,070
is an essential
manifestation of vitality,
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and it's opposite a
sign of decadence.
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00:03:31,590 --> 00:03:34,041
Mussolini's great vision
is to rebuild Italy
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in the image of the
ancient Roman Empire.
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Italy already has
colonies in North Africa,
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and Mussolini wants
to link these up
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and create a new Italian empire
in that part of the world.
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[gentle thoughtful music]
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[Narrator]Mussolini orders
his troops to invade Egypt.
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[guns blasting]
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It's a disaster.
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Mussolini's Armata is a far
cry from Hitler's Wehrmacht.
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00:04:04,692 --> 00:04:07,419
Much like their
plumed helmets,
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00:04:08,834 --> 00:04:09,525
their equipment dates
back to an earlier era.
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00:04:10,629 --> 00:04:12,562
Instead of a blitz,
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their tactics rely
on static encampments
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and a slow advance.
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Just 30,000
British soldiers
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push 150,000 Italians
back into Libya.
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[Philip] It was a
complete walkover.
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I saw thousands of
Italian prisoners
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00:04:30,718 --> 00:04:32,858
delighted that the war
was over.
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[Narrator] If Italy
fails in Africa,
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the southern borders
of the Third Reich
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will become vulnerable.
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[tense music]
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Hitler is alarmed by
this turn of events.
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[Adolf] The British
would have free use
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of a dozen divisions.
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We must make every
effort to prevent this.
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We must render effective
assistance in North Africa.
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[Narrator] Nazi
propaganda film crews
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tout the arrival of
the new Afrika Korps
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in the Libyan
capital, Tripoli.
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It's the first
time German forces
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have traveled
this far south.
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But they say they are
prepared for the 115-degree
heat.
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The soldiers sport new
olive-colored desert
uniforms
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made from lightweight
cotton instead of wool
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and topped with a
wide-brimmed sun helmet.
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Steel Panzer III tanks
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will act as an oven
in the fierce sun,
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so they add cooling ports
to the engine hatches.
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Watching on is their
newly appointed commander,
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the maverick general,
Erwin Rommel.
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[Robert] General Rommel
is Hitler's
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favorite field commander.
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He has what Hitler wants,
boldness, surprise, speed.
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He's sent to North Africa
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simply to support
the Italian ally.
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But as the world is
about to find out,
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you rarely limit Rommel
in terms of his aims.
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[dramatic music]
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[Narrator]400 miles
east of Tripoli,
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the Afrika Korps pass
under the Arch of Philaeni.
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This 100-foot high
ornate landmark
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straddles the only road
between Tripoli and Cairo.
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It was commissioned
by Mussolini,
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as part of his attempt to
recreate the Roman Empire.
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The inscription
at the top reads,
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"Oh almighty Sun,
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"you will never look upon
a city greater than Rome."
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Rommel may disagree.
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Technically, Rommel is
under Italian command,
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but he chooses to ignore
the Italian orders
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to simply defend Libya.
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His idea is to win
North Africa,
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to gain glory for
the German Army,
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and of course, personal
glory for himself.
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[Erwin] It is
during the pursuit,
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when the beaten enemy is
still dispirited and
disorganized,
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that most prisoners are made
and most booty captured.
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[tank rattling]
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[tense ominous music]
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[Narrator] To take Cairo
and the Suez Canal,
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Rommel must cross 750 miles
of the northern Sahara
Desert.
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The landscape is
incredibly hostile.
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It's arid, there's
very limited water,
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the troops are dehydrated
for much of the time.
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It's a very unpleasant
environment.
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Hot by day, freezing by night.
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[Narrator]The desert
will push any army,
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and its supply lines,
to the limit.
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The one defending
the settlements
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that cling to the North
African coastline,
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is a hastily assembled
fighting force.
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[Alexander] The only way the
British Empire
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can keep pace with
Axis mobilization
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is by drawing upon the resources
of the British Empire,
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the colonies, the dominions,
and Britain's allies.
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[Narrator] British
tank crews are joined
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00:08:00,928 --> 00:08:01,170
by large infantry divisions
from Australia, South
Africa,
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and New Zealand,
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00:08:07,935 --> 00:08:08,488
who include a battalion
of Maori tribal soldiers.
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00:08:09,937 --> 00:08:12,630
The 4th Indian Division
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00:08:14,355 --> 00:08:14,735
features a section of
motorcycling military
police.
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00:08:15,598 --> 00:08:18,532
These disparate divisions
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will become known as
the British Eighth Army.
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But they initially struggle
to operate effectively.
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Eighth Army is torn
between fighting
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the Axis forces in Africa
and contributing strength
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00:08:31,269 --> 00:08:33,547
to Britain's ongoing
campaigns elsewhere.
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There's also a failure to
concentrate force
effectively
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and to instill co-operation
between the different arms.
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[Narrator] Rommel
catches them cold.
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In March 1941,
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the Panzerarmee Afrika
descend from the desert
dunes.
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[gun blasting]
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And attack the British
camp at El Agheila.
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Wrecked vehicles are
left behind
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by the hasty
British retreat.
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By the end of the day,
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Rommel is surveying
the captured city,
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and already pushing
on to the next target.
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Rommel has a small force,
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a division plus, maybe
a division and a half.
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But because it's so small,
he can whip it around
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in a way that the British
simply cannot match,
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and frankly,
cannot even understand.
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[Narrator] British vehicles
are old and worn-out.
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Under pressure,
they break down,
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00:09:27,774 --> 00:09:28,429
and organized retreat
turns into harried flight.
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[Ray] It seemed that everyone
was doing their best
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to put the greatest
distance between themselves
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and the enemy, everybody was
rushing headlong back to
Egypt.
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00:09:38,405 --> 00:09:41,511
[tank rumbling]
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[dramatic music]
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[Narrator] Rommel's success
makes him a German hero.
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This film footage from the
desert becomes a highlight
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of "The German
Weekly Review,"
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a propaganda newsreel
series released in cinemas
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across the Reich.
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For audiences used to
the snowy struggles
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of the Eastern Front,
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00:10:01,911 --> 00:10:03,223
the unstoppable
advance in Africa
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is a welcome
morale boost.
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00:10:05,743 --> 00:10:06,675
[Newscaster speaks
in foreign language]
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Rommel is ever-present
on-screen,
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surveying destroyed vehicles
and captured territory.
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00:10:14,924 --> 00:10:16,270
He plays up to
the cameras,
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British anti-gas goggles
found in a captured command
vehicle
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soon become a trademark.
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The newsreels dub him Der
Wustenfuchs, the Desert Fox.
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00:10:30,733 --> 00:10:31,976
German morale is high.
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00:10:35,151 --> 00:10:35,876
In their downtime, they
create a makeshift funfair
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00:10:37,429 --> 00:10:38,983
complete with boxing ring,
carousel, and strength test.
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00:10:41,226 --> 00:10:45,161
-[hammer thuds]
-[bell rings]
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00:10:45,161 --> 00:10:48,682
A chameleon gives
camouflage tips,
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00:10:48,682 --> 00:10:50,373
and even a tortoise is
recruited to the Nazi cause.
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The desert is a
completely alien territory
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for the German Army.
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The German soldiers have never
fought in a similar terrain,
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00:11:00,142 --> 00:11:02,592
under similar heat,
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00:11:03,939 --> 00:11:04,664
their training is all
concentrated on a war in Europe.
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00:11:06,804 --> 00:11:09,358
[Narrator] It's so hot they
can fry eggs on their
Panzers.
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00:11:11,567 --> 00:11:15,364
But there is little
time to sleep
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00:11:15,364 --> 00:11:17,262
during the
relentless advance.
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00:11:17,262 --> 00:11:19,368
[Rolf] Every night we
were completely exhausted.
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00:11:20,852 --> 00:11:22,371
We had only one thought,
"Let's get to Cairo."
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00:11:23,613 --> 00:11:26,409
This is where we
really wanted to go.
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00:11:31,069 --> 00:11:33,623
[Narrator] The
newsreel footage
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00:11:34,866 --> 00:11:36,523
is not just
overblown propaganda.
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00:11:36,523 --> 00:11:37,593
Rommel's troops are forcing
the British Army back
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00:11:38,974 --> 00:11:40,389
across the barren
desert towards Egypt.
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00:11:41,701 --> 00:11:43,392
[truck engines whirring]
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00:11:45,325 --> 00:11:47,879
In June 1942,
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00:11:47,879 --> 00:11:49,260
Rommel seizes the last
British stronghold in Libya,
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00:11:49,260 --> 00:11:53,195
the port town of Tobruk.
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00:11:53,195 --> 00:11:54,644
The Nazis take
32,000 captives.
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00:11:55,231 --> 00:11:56,888
[tense music]
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00:11:57,578 --> 00:11:59,891
[dramatic music]
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German propaganda
cameras record the moment
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00:12:03,861 --> 00:12:04,413
the garrison commander, Major
General Klopper, surrenders.
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00:12:07,140 --> 00:12:09,729
With the port
in their hands,
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00:12:10,971 --> 00:12:12,973
fresh supplies power
the Afrika Korps
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00:12:12,973 --> 00:12:13,974
towards the
Egyptian border.
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00:12:14,734 --> 00:12:16,494
[tank engine whirring]
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00:12:16,494 --> 00:12:20,601
[gentle music]
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On the same day at
the White House,
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00:12:23,190 --> 00:12:24,502
British Prime Minister
Winston Churchill
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00:12:25,848 --> 00:12:28,851
visits President
Franklin D. Roosevelt.
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00:12:28,851 --> 00:12:31,474
As U.S. troops parade down
New York's 5th Avenue,
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00:12:32,821 --> 00:12:35,478
the men plan America's
first deployment
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00:12:36,307 --> 00:12:38,447
to the European war.
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00:12:39,724 --> 00:12:40,552
A massive invasion
of North Africa.
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00:12:43,314 --> 00:12:44,764
But they fear Egypt will fall
before the U.S. can
mobilize.
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00:12:47,283 --> 00:12:49,665
As a stopgap, Roosevelt
agrees to send some of
America's
246
00:12:51,667 --> 00:12:54,014
most advanced tanks and
mobile artillery to the
desert.
247
00:12:56,258 --> 00:12:58,536
If Britain can hold Egypt
long enough for it to get
there.
248
00:13:01,642 --> 00:13:03,541
[dramatic music]
249
00:13:07,407 --> 00:13:07,648
After taking Tobruk, Rommel
is promoted to field
marshal,
250
00:13:09,512 --> 00:13:12,170
and given full control over
all 100,000 Axis forces
251
00:13:13,758 --> 00:13:16,519
in North Africa.
252
00:13:18,038 --> 00:13:18,625
As they enter Egypt, Rommel's
focus turns to Cairo.
253
00:13:20,730 --> 00:13:23,526
Take it, and he will
control North Africa
254
00:13:24,355 --> 00:13:26,771
and the Suez Canal.
255
00:13:27,565 --> 00:13:28,842
[gentle thoughtful music]
256
00:13:30,706 --> 00:13:31,880
British civilians
in the city,
257
00:13:33,191 --> 00:13:34,710
alarmed by the news
from the border,
258
00:13:34,710 --> 00:13:37,678
begin a mass evacuation.
259
00:13:37,678 --> 00:13:39,577
Author Olivia Manning
observes the panic.
260
00:13:40,681 --> 00:13:43,581
[Olivia] We were
amazed to find uproar
261
00:13:44,685 --> 00:13:47,171
when we reached
the station.
262
00:13:47,171 --> 00:13:48,793
The train packed with every
sort of European refugee.
263
00:13:48,793 --> 00:13:50,519
The Egyptian porters entered
into the excitement,
264
00:13:51,761 --> 00:13:54,247
with shouts of,
"Germans coming!
265
00:13:54,247 --> 00:13:56,628
"You go! Germans come!"
266
00:13:56,628 --> 00:13:59,562
[Narrator] After 50 years
of British occupation,
267
00:13:59,562 --> 00:14:02,462
many Egyptians see the
Germans as liberators.
268
00:14:02,462 --> 00:14:04,533
But to the British,
they're a threat,
269
00:14:05,948 --> 00:14:07,225
approaching at full
speed across the sand
270
00:14:10,021 --> 00:14:11,022
and now also,
from the air.
271
00:14:13,956 --> 00:14:16,234
-[airplane engines whirring]
-[suspenseful music]
272
00:14:17,926 --> 00:14:20,756
Home movie footage
273
00:14:22,206 --> 00:14:23,966
shot by members of
Luftwaffe fighter wing 27
274
00:14:23,966 --> 00:14:25,588
shows graders scraping
airfields from the desert,
275
00:14:27,418 --> 00:14:30,110
ready for the arrival
of German air power.
276
00:14:31,180 --> 00:14:34,459
During the early
stages of the campaign,
277
00:14:34,459 --> 00:14:36,151
the German Luftwaffe is
able to fight successfully
278
00:14:36,151 --> 00:14:37,946
against a weakened
Royal Air Force
279
00:14:39,361 --> 00:14:40,120
and to support the German
operations on the ground.
280
00:14:41,673 --> 00:14:45,677
[airplane engine whirring]
281
00:14:45,677 --> 00:14:46,955
[Narrator] In the
skies over the desert,
282
00:14:48,749 --> 00:14:50,855
gun cameras attached to
Messerschmitt Bf 109
aircraft
283
00:14:50,855 --> 00:14:53,271
reveal the high-speed
fighter's distinct
advantage.
284
00:14:54,445 --> 00:14:58,483
[guns blasting]
285
00:14:58,483 --> 00:15:00,037
A few direct hits
from wing-mounted
286
00:15:00,037 --> 00:15:02,971
are all they need to send
287
00:15:04,248 --> 00:15:05,835
the slower British
Hurricanes down.
288
00:15:05,835 --> 00:15:07,285
[airplane engine chugging]
289
00:15:09,978 --> 00:15:13,015
Newsreels make German
aces celebrities.
290
00:15:13,015 --> 00:15:15,293
Hans-Joachim Marseille is
fresh from the Battle of
Britain.
291
00:15:17,847 --> 00:15:21,472
There he had a
reputation as a skilled
292
00:15:21,472 --> 00:15:22,991
but reckless pilot
and a womanizer.
293
00:15:24,682 --> 00:15:27,305
He's often grounded for being
too tired to fly sorties.
294
00:15:29,031 --> 00:15:31,654
But he embraces the
asceticism of desert life
295
00:15:33,449 --> 00:15:36,521
and becomes a hero to the
Hitler Youth camps back
home.
296
00:15:36,521 --> 00:15:40,594
-[dramatic music]
-[airplane engine whirring]
297
00:15:40,594 --> 00:15:42,700
He gains fame for
extreme attack angles
298
00:15:42,700 --> 00:15:43,735
and diving right into the
middle of enemy formations.
299
00:15:45,496 --> 00:15:49,327
[Hans-Joachim] You've
gotta be able to shoot
300
00:15:49,327 --> 00:15:51,433
from any position.
301
00:15:51,433 --> 00:15:53,262
From left or right turns, out
of a roll, on your back.
302
00:15:53,262 --> 00:15:54,643
Only then can you plunge into
the middle of an enemy swarm
303
00:15:55,851 --> 00:15:57,646
and blow it up
from the inside.
304
00:15:58,371 --> 00:15:59,786
[explosion blasts]
305
00:16:01,788 --> 00:16:02,754
[Narrator] Marseille's
aircraft tail
306
00:16:05,792 --> 00:16:06,793
is decorated for his
100th kill.
307
00:16:08,691 --> 00:16:09,382
Nazi propaganda names
him The Star of Africa,
308
00:16:13,110 --> 00:16:15,388
a walking example of German
dominance of the desert
skies.
309
00:16:18,011 --> 00:16:19,392
[airplane engines whirring]
310
00:16:22,153 --> 00:16:24,707
On the ground, the
British Eighth Army
311
00:16:25,846 --> 00:16:28,746
has retreated
back into Egypt.
312
00:16:28,746 --> 00:16:30,265
The dire situation
warrants a personal visit
313
00:16:31,507 --> 00:16:33,302
from the British prime
minister.
314
00:16:34,786 --> 00:16:36,823
By going to Egypt, Winston
Churchill wants to demonstrate
315
00:16:36,823 --> 00:16:38,721
that he's got command
of the situation,
316
00:16:39,584 --> 00:16:41,103
both to the British public,
317
00:16:42,311 --> 00:16:43,968
but more importantly
to his American allies.
318
00:16:43,968 --> 00:16:45,418
[Narrator]Churchill insists
Rommel must be defeated,
319
00:16:48,248 --> 00:16:50,423
and Axis forces pushed
out of North Africa.
320
00:16:52,873 --> 00:16:53,426
This considerable challenge
requires a top talent
321
00:16:56,912 --> 00:16:59,535
to oversee the
ground forces.
322
00:16:59,535 --> 00:17:02,883
Churchill's initial pick
to lead the Eighth Army
323
00:17:02,883 --> 00:17:05,610
is Lieutenant General
William Strafer Gott
324
00:17:05,610 --> 00:17:07,129
who's a veteran
of the desert war.
325
00:17:08,544 --> 00:17:10,650
But as he's flying to
take up his appointment
326
00:17:10,650 --> 00:17:12,134
he's shot down by a
German Messerschmitt
327
00:17:13,342 --> 00:17:14,343
and he's burnt to
death in the wreckage.
328
00:17:15,793 --> 00:17:16,794
[Narrator] Out
of options,
329
00:17:19,624 --> 00:17:21,557
Churchill agrees
to the appointment
330
00:17:21,557 --> 00:17:22,696
of Lieutenant-General
Bernard Montgomery.
331
00:17:22,696 --> 00:17:24,353
[gentle suspenseful music]
332
00:17:25,665 --> 00:17:27,149
In a profession known for
gigantic personalities,
333
00:17:28,357 --> 00:17:31,050
Montgomery might have
been near the top.
334
00:17:31,050 --> 00:17:31,774
Even his own British
colleagues see him as arrogant
335
00:17:32,465 --> 00:17:34,984
and self-obsessed
336
00:17:36,193 --> 00:17:37,642
and just a thoroughly
unpleasant personality.
337
00:17:37,642 --> 00:17:42,199
[Narrator] But Montgomery
is also
338
00:17:42,199 --> 00:17:42,475
a highly experienced
commander with a keen eye for
detail.
339
00:17:44,270 --> 00:17:46,996
Every nuance has to be perfect
before he's ready to march,
340
00:17:47,859 --> 00:17:51,277
and he won't march until he is
341
00:17:51,277 --> 00:17:53,796
absolutely certain of success.
342
00:17:53,796 --> 00:17:55,384
[Narrator] As he whips
Eighth Army into shape,
343
00:17:56,834 --> 00:17:57,800
Montgomery is a constant,
visible presence,
344
00:17:59,112 --> 00:18:00,803
building a reputation
to rival Rommel's.
345
00:18:02,357 --> 00:18:04,013
Instead of goggles, he adopts
a black tank regiment beret
346
00:18:05,670 --> 00:18:08,363
to connect with
the rank and file.
347
00:18:09,433 --> 00:18:10,882
[Howard] When he
wanted something to
348
00:18:12,125 --> 00:18:13,851
After he arrived,
morale soared.
349
00:18:14,955 --> 00:18:18,959
[Narrator] Under
Montgomery's guidance,
350
00:18:18,959 --> 00:18:19,822
the Eighth Army
begin to punch back.
351
00:18:20,996 --> 00:18:22,515
[guns blasting]
352
00:18:24,896 --> 00:18:27,416
Rommel's advance stalls
353
00:18:28,900 --> 00:18:29,522
near the small railroad
station of El Alamein.
354
00:18:32,973 --> 00:18:35,390
The new front line is just
150 miles west of Cairo.
355
00:18:37,944 --> 00:18:40,533
The terrain here presents
a natural choke point.
356
00:18:41,810 --> 00:18:46,194
To the north, the sea.
357
00:18:46,194 --> 00:18:46,539
To the south a vast,
unpassable expanse of salt
marshes
358
00:18:50,129 --> 00:18:52,924
known as the Qattara
Depression.
359
00:18:53,615 --> 00:18:57,170
[boots squelching]
360
00:18:57,170 --> 00:18:58,723
The 25 mile stretch of
rocky desert in between
361
00:18:58,723 --> 00:19:00,967
forces a tactical
battle of wits.
362
00:19:04,971 --> 00:19:06,869
Rommel wants to keep the
Allies on the defensive.
363
00:19:08,319 --> 00:19:11,771
When the first attempt to
break through the British lines
364
00:19:11,771 --> 00:19:13,393
at El Alamein fails,
Rommel decides to dig in.
365
00:19:14,705 --> 00:19:17,397
He hopes that he
will be able to
366
00:19:18,812 --> 00:19:20,504
bring up more reinforcements
to the front line
367
00:19:20,504 --> 00:19:22,091
in order to relaunch
the offensive.
368
00:19:23,196 --> 00:19:25,440
[Narrator] Between
July and October,
369
00:19:26,958 --> 00:19:28,995
Axis engineers create a
three-mile-deep killing zone
370
00:19:28,995 --> 00:19:30,583
of defensive positions,
mines, and barbed wire.
371
00:19:32,274 --> 00:19:34,932
They christen them
the Devil's Gardens.
372
00:19:36,313 --> 00:19:38,280
Panzer divisions patrol,
373
00:19:40,662 --> 00:19:41,559
ready to react to
Allied breakthroughs.
374
00:19:41,559 --> 00:19:43,285
[dramatic music]
375
00:19:44,528 --> 00:19:46,046
If Montgomery is
to achieve his task
376
00:19:46,046 --> 00:19:47,462
of pushing Rommel
out of Africa,
377
00:19:48,704 --> 00:19:49,947
the Eighth Army
must find a way
378
00:19:51,086 --> 00:19:52,052
through these
brutal defenses.
379
00:19:53,330 --> 00:19:54,607
[gentle thoughtful music]
380
00:19:59,646 --> 00:20:00,854
The British Eighth Army
381
00:20:03,719 --> 00:20:05,342
and German and Italian
Panzerarmee Afrika
382
00:20:05,342 --> 00:20:08,621
dig in for the impending
battle at El Alamein.
383
00:20:08,621 --> 00:20:10,864
Now, they bear the brunt of
the brutal desert
conditions.
384
00:20:13,833 --> 00:20:15,179
The North African
desert creates
385
00:20:17,733 --> 00:20:19,459
enormous wear and tear
on the troops' vehicles,
386
00:20:19,459 --> 00:20:21,634
on their equipment,
on their weapons,
387
00:20:21,634 --> 00:20:23,360
and it's a very
difficult environment
388
00:20:24,084 --> 00:20:26,466
for the human body too.
389
00:20:26,466 --> 00:20:27,674
[Narrator] Vast sandstorms
scour the soldiers.
390
00:20:29,228 --> 00:20:31,885
Wind speeds can reach
90 miles an hour.
391
00:20:33,542 --> 00:20:34,681
[Erwin] We gasped
in breath painfully
392
00:20:37,684 --> 00:20:40,342
through handkerchiefs
held over our faces
393
00:20:40,342 --> 00:20:41,067
and sweat poured off our
bodies in the unbearable
heat.
394
00:20:43,172 --> 00:20:45,002
[wind whistling]
395
00:20:47,107 --> 00:20:48,764
[Narrator] Once
the storm passes,
396
00:20:48,764 --> 00:20:51,008
swarms of sand
flies arrive.
397
00:20:51,008 --> 00:20:51,940
Drawn to food, human waste,
and dead bodies,
398
00:20:54,736 --> 00:20:57,359
they are a
relentless nuisance.
399
00:20:58,774 --> 00:20:59,706
[Alexander] Flies get into
food, contaminate fluids,
400
00:21:02,813 --> 00:21:05,367
and can turn even fairly
minor wounds septic.
401
00:21:06,817 --> 00:21:08,957
[Narrator] Despite
signs urging the Germans
402
00:21:10,338 --> 00:21:11,062
to boil water before
use, disease is common.
403
00:21:13,617 --> 00:21:14,721
Rommel himself contracts
dysentery and jaundice,
404
00:21:17,828 --> 00:21:19,519
which lead to a liver
infection, low blood
pressure,
405
00:21:20,417 --> 00:21:23,385
and fainting fits.
406
00:21:25,214 --> 00:21:25,732
On September 22nd, he flies
back to Germany to
recuperate.
407
00:21:31,842 --> 00:21:35,880
Just as Rommel
departs the desert,
408
00:21:35,880 --> 00:21:38,297
help arrives for the
British Eighth Army.
409
00:21:38,297 --> 00:21:40,437
Testing footage from
the Detroit Tank Arsenal
410
00:21:41,265 --> 00:21:44,510
in Warren, Michigan,
411
00:21:44,510 --> 00:21:46,235
shows the capabilities of
the new Sherman M4 tank.
412
00:21:46,235 --> 00:21:50,239
With a top speed of
25 miles per hour,
413
00:21:50,239 --> 00:21:53,035
it can keep up with
the German panzers,
414
00:21:53,035 --> 00:21:54,002
and like them, has a
rotating central turret
415
00:21:55,417 --> 00:21:57,281
to give the 75-millimeter
gun all-round fire.
416
00:21:59,559 --> 00:22:02,286
But the armor is an inch
thicker than the Panzer IV.
417
00:22:04,909 --> 00:22:06,014
[Matthias] The Sherman
is a very well-designed
418
00:22:08,292 --> 00:22:10,018
medium-sized tank,
419
00:22:11,330 --> 00:22:12,434
which combines a powerful
gun with good armament,
420
00:22:12,434 --> 00:22:15,437
and speed of maneuver.
421
00:22:16,265 --> 00:22:18,509
And this gives the Allies
422
00:22:18,509 --> 00:22:19,786
the upper hand in the
North African campaign.
423
00:22:19,786 --> 00:22:21,340
[Narrator] 318
Sherman tanks
424
00:22:22,720 --> 00:22:23,514
and 100 Priest 105 millimeter
self-propelled guns
425
00:22:25,413 --> 00:22:28,174
roll into the desert.
426
00:22:29,762 --> 00:22:30,279
Enough firepower and armor
to match Rommel's panzers.
427
00:22:32,247 --> 00:22:34,801
Montgomery begins to plan a
major offensive of his own.
428
00:22:35,906 --> 00:22:38,667
[gentle mysterious music]
429
00:22:40,462 --> 00:22:41,532
First, he needs to reclaim
the skies over the
battlefield.
430
00:22:43,776 --> 00:22:46,295
The Desert Air
Force takes off.
431
00:22:47,124 --> 00:22:48,677
[airplane engines whirring]
432
00:22:51,231 --> 00:22:52,405
[Matthias] The aircraft
of the Desert Air Force
433
00:22:52,405 --> 00:22:54,890
are aging but numerous.
434
00:22:54,890 --> 00:22:57,065
And they're trying to
overwhelm the German aircraft
435
00:22:57,065 --> 00:22:59,516
that are technologically
more advanced
436
00:23:00,758 --> 00:23:02,553
but available in far
more limited numbers.
437
00:23:03,796 --> 00:23:06,143
[Narrator] The fighting
begins to take a toll
438
00:23:07,316 --> 00:23:09,318
on the outnumbered
Luftwaffe.
439
00:23:09,318 --> 00:23:10,630
Hans-Joachim Marseille
loses weight.
440
00:23:12,114 --> 00:23:13,219
When two of his closest
friends are shot down,
441
00:23:14,600 --> 00:23:17,223
he starts sleepwalking
and stops talking.
442
00:23:18,604 --> 00:23:20,399
Signs of post-traumatic
stress disorder.
443
00:23:21,261 --> 00:23:24,368
[airplane engines whirring]
444
00:23:24,368 --> 00:23:25,611
On September 30th,
his Messerschmitt
445
00:23:25,611 --> 00:23:28,407
and goes into a dive.
446
00:23:29,822 --> 00:23:31,099
Marseille attempts to
jump but miscalculates.
447
00:23:33,032 --> 00:23:34,413
He smashes into the tail,
then plummets to the desert
floor.
448
00:23:36,484 --> 00:23:39,383
[airplane crashing]
449
00:23:41,143 --> 00:23:42,248
His body can only be
identified by medals on the
uniform.
450
00:23:44,284 --> 00:23:48,496
Once it's recovered,
451
00:23:48,496 --> 00:23:49,531
Italian engineers
construct a pyramid shrine
452
00:23:49,531 --> 00:23:51,395
on the spot he was found.
453
00:23:52,638 --> 00:23:53,535
A replica stands
there to this day.
454
00:23:54,985 --> 00:23:56,262
Every Axis aircraft lost
455
00:23:59,127 --> 00:24:01,370
reduces their ability
to control the skies.
456
00:24:01,370 --> 00:24:03,269
During October, their numbers
fall from 770 to just 350,
457
00:24:06,341 --> 00:24:09,931
and the British
Royal Air Force
458
00:24:09,931 --> 00:24:11,380
begin to dominate
the desert.
459
00:24:12,589 --> 00:24:14,142
Now Montgomery's
ground offensive at
460
00:24:18,042 --> 00:24:18,905
It's code-named
Operation Lightfoot.
461
00:24:22,702 --> 00:24:24,428
Infantry will lead the
attack, moving through the
minefields
462
00:24:25,636 --> 00:24:29,571
and clearing paths
for the tanks.
463
00:24:29,571 --> 00:24:30,296
The attack will start with a
massive artillery
bombardment.
464
00:24:33,402 --> 00:24:36,475
[dramatic music]
465
00:24:37,268 --> 00:24:39,788
5.5-inch medium guns
466
00:24:39,788 --> 00:24:40,927
can fire a 100-pound
shell over nine miles.
467
00:24:42,653 --> 00:24:45,242
They aim for the furthest
German positions.
468
00:24:45,829 --> 00:24:48,487
[guns blasting]
469
00:24:50,281 --> 00:24:52,318
Closer to the front, the
numerous 25-pound guns open
up.
470
00:24:56,046 --> 00:24:57,185
The new American-made
Priest mobile artillery
471
00:24:59,774 --> 00:25:01,741
gets in on the
action too.
472
00:25:03,225 --> 00:25:05,124
[Private Crawford]The whole
horizon spewed heavenwards
473
00:25:05,124 --> 00:25:06,366
in a fount of orange
and blood-red flame.
474
00:25:07,782 --> 00:25:09,680
A tidal wave of sound
hammered on our eardrums
475
00:25:11,026 --> 00:25:12,303
and whipped our shirts
against our chests.
476
00:25:13,891 --> 00:25:14,858
[Narrator]
Montgomery's insistence
477
00:25:17,723 --> 00:25:19,069
on close communication
pays off.
478
00:25:19,069 --> 00:25:20,311
Each one of the first
882 shells
479
00:25:21,554 --> 00:25:23,694
land at exactly
the same moment.
480
00:25:25,040 --> 00:25:26,386
[explosions blasting]
481
00:25:29,148 --> 00:25:30,321
[Martin] The whole sky
was red with gunfire.
482
00:25:31,875 --> 00:25:32,427
The shells were howling over
you, exploding around you,
483
00:25:33,635 --> 00:25:36,396
it was just horrible.
484
00:25:37,915 --> 00:25:39,192
We thought that the world
was coming to an end.
485
00:25:39,192 --> 00:25:41,401
[Matthias] The initial
artillery bombardment
486
00:25:42,230 --> 00:25:44,404
is hugely effective.
487
00:25:45,544 --> 00:25:47,131
It destroys German
and Italian guns,
488
00:25:47,131 --> 00:25:50,065
it causes casualties
amongst the infantry,
489
00:25:50,065 --> 00:25:52,551
it cuts the communication lines,
490
00:25:53,655 --> 00:25:55,208
and it also has a
very severe effect
491
00:25:55,208 --> 00:25:57,348
on the morale of the enemy.
492
00:25:58,626 --> 00:26:00,800
[Narrator] Under
artillery cover,
493
00:26:00,800 --> 00:26:02,871
the minesweepers move in.
494
00:26:02,871 --> 00:26:04,355
Operation Lightfoot's
name is apt.
495
00:26:05,736 --> 00:26:07,358
The infantry charged
with clearing the mines
496
00:26:08,463 --> 00:26:09,706
will want to
tread carefully.
497
00:26:11,121 --> 00:26:12,294
It's one of the war's
most nerve-racking jobs.
498
00:26:13,675 --> 00:26:17,506
Some are lucky enough
to get mine detectors.
499
00:26:17,506 --> 00:26:19,578
But most infantry just use
bayonets to prod the ground.
500
00:26:19,578 --> 00:26:22,546
[tense music]
501
00:26:23,996 --> 00:26:24,928
Thousands of mines must
be carefully unearthed
502
00:26:26,515 --> 00:26:27,447
and defused to provide a path
wide enough for the tanks.
503
00:26:30,727 --> 00:26:31,866
[Brigadier McMeekan] In
the face of enemy fire,
504
00:26:34,903 --> 00:26:36,560
the sappers worked steadily
on, keeping to their drill.
505
00:26:36,560 --> 00:26:38,562
It takes guts to
stay standing up
506
00:26:40,288 --> 00:26:40,633
when everyone else is either
running forward or lying
down.
507
00:26:41,669 --> 00:26:44,568
[explosion blasts]
508
00:26:45,604 --> 00:26:47,640
[Narrator]But under
heavy fire,
509
00:26:49,021 --> 00:26:50,678
the minesweepers can
only clear narrow paths.
510
00:26:50,678 --> 00:26:54,164
Tank columns advance
but run out of space,
511
00:26:54,164 --> 00:26:55,959
and become gridlocked.
512
00:26:57,132 --> 00:26:58,478
-[tank engines rumbling]
-[dramatic music]
513
00:26:58,478 --> 00:27:00,549
Tracks churn up dust.
514
00:27:00,549 --> 00:27:01,447
Entire columns
head the wrong way.
515
00:27:04,346 --> 00:27:06,348
As dawn breaks,
German artillery spots
516
00:27:07,833 --> 00:27:09,110
the unprotected Allied
armor stuck in the sand.
517
00:27:11,457 --> 00:27:12,976
[guns blasting]
518
00:27:15,599 --> 00:27:18,498
[T.M. Lindsey] Suddenly
all hell broke loose.
519
00:27:19,914 --> 00:27:22,606
The tank crews saw
armor-piercing tracer shells
520
00:27:22,606 --> 00:27:23,987
screaming from all
over the place,
521
00:27:25,298 --> 00:27:27,646
then the explosions
of tanks blowing up,
522
00:27:27,646 --> 00:27:28,819
sheets of flame as
they caught fire.
523
00:27:30,165 --> 00:27:30,925
Montgomery is ruthless
when it comes to accepting
524
00:27:33,652 --> 00:27:37,483
Allied casualties
in this operation.
525
00:27:37,483 --> 00:27:38,657
He understands that he
needs to fight his way
526
00:27:40,003 --> 00:27:42,591
through the
German-Italian positions,
527
00:27:42,591 --> 00:27:44,870
and he is willing to
accept high casualties
528
00:27:44,870 --> 00:27:46,975
on the Allied side,
in order to achieve this.
529
00:27:46,975 --> 00:27:49,529
[gun blasting]
530
00:27:50,945 --> 00:27:52,671
[Narrator] Battle rages up
and down the 25-mile line.
531
00:27:52,671 --> 00:27:54,949
The Eighth Army
inflict heavy damage,
532
00:27:54,949 --> 00:27:57,089
but the Panzerarmee Afrika
do not concede much ground.
533
00:27:57,089 --> 00:27:59,712
[suspenseful music]
534
00:28:00,333 --> 00:28:02,715
[gun blasting]
535
00:28:02,715 --> 00:28:03,647
The battle hangs in
the balance.
536
00:28:05,062 --> 00:28:05,960
On the evening
of October 25th,
537
00:28:09,032 --> 00:28:10,033
a rested Erwin Rommel
returns to North Africa
538
00:28:11,413 --> 00:28:14,900
and takes personal
control of the battle.
539
00:28:14,900 --> 00:28:17,040
The Desert Fox prepares
his panzers to push back.
540
00:28:23,011 --> 00:28:25,186
Rommel has over 100,000
troops and 500 tanks at his
command.
541
00:28:28,810 --> 00:28:32,780
But they're
under pressure,
542
00:28:32,780 --> 00:28:33,504
consuming vast amounts
of food and fuel.
543
00:28:34,851 --> 00:28:37,612
Rommel's entire
front at El Alamein
544
00:28:38,475 --> 00:28:41,064
is determined by logistics.
545
00:28:41,064 --> 00:28:42,686
Every bullet, every bottle
of water, every pair of socks
546
00:28:42,686 --> 00:28:46,586
has to be shipped from
Europe to North Africa
547
00:28:46,586 --> 00:28:49,624
and then to the
El Alamein front by truck.
548
00:28:49,624 --> 00:28:52,075
Supply is the limiting
factor for Rommel.
549
00:28:53,317 --> 00:28:54,905
[Narrator] Most
vital is fuel.
550
00:28:57,390 --> 00:28:59,220
The tanks and the
trucks supplying them
551
00:28:59,220 --> 00:29:01,705
demand 66,000 gallons
every day.
552
00:29:01,705 --> 00:29:04,604
[fuel trickling]
553
00:29:05,847 --> 00:29:08,470
With no place to
hide in the desert,
554
00:29:08,470 --> 00:29:10,541
the supply chain is
an obvious target
555
00:29:10,541 --> 00:29:12,405
for the British Royal
Air Force.
556
00:29:12,405 --> 00:29:14,787
Nose cameras from
Bristol Beaufighter
557
00:29:16,616 --> 00:29:18,239
reveal Axis supply convoys
being strafed at close
range.
558
00:29:19,723 --> 00:29:22,761
[guns blasting]
559
00:29:24,693 --> 00:29:25,936
[airplane engines whirring]
560
00:29:28,801 --> 00:29:30,182
The supply lines are
especially vulnerable
561
00:29:31,977 --> 00:29:34,082
to the RAF aircraft based on
a small British island
colony
562
00:29:34,082 --> 00:29:36,567
still holding out in the
center of the Mediterranean,
Malta.
563
00:29:38,777 --> 00:29:41,676
[dramatic music]
564
00:29:42,815 --> 00:29:46,060
Malta provides the
Allies with a base
565
00:29:46,060 --> 00:29:48,890
in the central Mediterranean
566
00:29:48,890 --> 00:29:50,650
which some liken to an
unsinkable aircraft carrier
567
00:29:50,650 --> 00:29:54,033
from which they can launch
anti-shipping strikes
568
00:29:54,033 --> 00:29:54,862
at the supply lines
sustaining Axis forces in
Africa.
569
00:29:58,210 --> 00:29:59,004
[Narrator] In 1942, the
Luftwaffe begin a campaign
570
00:30:02,283 --> 00:30:04,699
to bomb Malta
into submission.
571
00:30:06,080 --> 00:30:08,807
There are 154 days of
continuous air raids.
572
00:30:08,807 --> 00:30:11,740
[bombs blasting]
573
00:30:13,570 --> 00:30:14,157
6,700 tons of bombs fall on
the Grand Harbour area
alone.
574
00:30:19,369 --> 00:30:20,646
[gentle thoughtful music]
575
00:30:23,614 --> 00:30:26,963
The 250,000 islanders
determinedly struggle
576
00:30:26,963 --> 00:30:28,861
for survival.
577
00:30:30,069 --> 00:30:32,969
[Grace]We did not
have anything to eat.
578
00:30:32,969 --> 00:30:36,869
Always hungry.
579
00:30:36,869 --> 00:30:38,388
Community kitchens
provided us with food.
580
00:30:38,388 --> 00:30:40,355
But we were never
satisfied.
581
00:30:45,464 --> 00:30:48,260
[Narrator]By summer,
Malta is almost out of food,
582
00:30:49,123 --> 00:30:51,677
fuel, and ammunition.
583
00:30:53,023 --> 00:30:53,782
Germany draws up
plans for an invasion.
584
00:30:56,095 --> 00:30:58,857
If the island falls,
585
00:31:00,375 --> 00:31:00,962
Rommel will be able to build
up his forces unchallenged.
586
00:31:04,172 --> 00:31:05,070
The British
government devise
587
00:31:08,176 --> 00:31:09,108
an audacious scheme
to relieve the island.
588
00:31:09,108 --> 00:31:11,179
Operation Pedestal.
589
00:31:11,800 --> 00:31:14,562
[tense music]
590
00:31:14,562 --> 00:31:16,081
14 merchant ships
packed with supplies
591
00:31:16,909 --> 00:31:18,704
enter the Mediterranean.
592
00:31:20,050 --> 00:31:20,809
At the center of the
fleet is the SS Ohio,
593
00:31:22,984 --> 00:31:25,849
the biggest American
tanker built to this point,
594
00:31:25,849 --> 00:31:27,713
transporting 170,000
barrels of fuel
595
00:31:29,025 --> 00:31:31,406
for the planes
defending the island.
596
00:31:33,236 --> 00:31:33,961
Protecting this precious
cargo are two battleships,
597
00:31:37,516 --> 00:31:40,312
three aircraft
carriers, cruisers,
598
00:31:42,417 --> 00:31:45,110
destroyers, and
submarines.
599
00:31:46,628 --> 00:31:48,423
The largest naval escort
force in the war so far.
600
00:31:50,839 --> 00:31:52,427
The Germans take notice.
601
00:31:55,430 --> 00:31:56,259
Cameras on the ships
film Axis aircraft
602
00:31:58,986 --> 00:32:01,850
flying towards the fleet,
603
00:32:01,850 --> 00:32:03,404
and anti-aircraft crews
rushing to man the guns
604
00:32:03,404 --> 00:32:05,337
as they return fire.
605
00:32:06,372 --> 00:32:07,684
-[guns blasting]
-[dramatic music]
606
00:32:07,684 --> 00:32:09,962
[airplane engines whirring]
607
00:32:09,962 --> 00:32:11,274
British destroyers
drop depth charges
608
00:32:12,482 --> 00:32:14,001
to ward off
marauding U-boats.
609
00:32:14,001 --> 00:32:16,003
[water splashing]
610
00:32:16,693 --> 00:32:18,143
[explosion blasts]
611
00:32:19,592 --> 00:32:22,147
Tracer rounds illuminate
the evening sky,
612
00:32:23,665 --> 00:32:25,357
as the Royal Navy blast
away at the German bombers.
613
00:32:25,944 --> 00:32:28,843
[guns blasting]
614
00:32:30,741 --> 00:32:31,777
The SS Ohio comes under
concentrated attack.
615
00:32:35,160 --> 00:32:37,852
War correspondent Anthony
Kimmins is on board.
616
00:32:39,405 --> 00:32:42,305
[Anthony] If ever
there was an example
617
00:32:44,031 --> 00:32:45,791
of dogged perseverance
against all odds, this was
it.
618
00:32:45,791 --> 00:32:47,344
Any of those hundreds of
bombs in the right place
619
00:32:48,863 --> 00:32:49,795
and she would have gone
up in a sheet of flame.
620
00:32:52,004 --> 00:32:52,901
[Narrator]The Allies
suffer heavy losses.
621
00:32:56,146 --> 00:32:57,354
Over 500 sailors and
airmen are killed.
622
00:33:00,081 --> 00:33:00,806
Nine of the 14 merchant
ships are destroyed.
623
00:33:08,331 --> 00:33:10,919
Finally, the remaining
convoy reaches Malta.
624
00:33:13,543 --> 00:33:16,201
Crucially, the SS Ohio
has made it through.
625
00:33:17,133 --> 00:33:20,067
But only just.
626
00:33:21,344 --> 00:33:23,587
The massive tanker
was hit by a torpedo
627
00:33:23,587 --> 00:33:24,519
and is so badly damaged it
must be towed into the
harbor.
628
00:33:26,280 --> 00:33:29,317
It will never sail again.
629
00:33:30,146 --> 00:33:32,907
Maltese dock workers
630
00:33:34,150 --> 00:33:35,254
frantically unload
the vital fuel
631
00:33:35,254 --> 00:33:37,498
from the sinking ship.
632
00:33:37,498 --> 00:33:38,844
It allows the British
Royal Air Force
633
00:33:40,432 --> 00:33:41,088
to continue to wreak havoc
on the Axis supply lines.
634
00:33:41,812 --> 00:33:46,093
[guns blasting]
635
00:33:46,093 --> 00:33:47,404
1/3 of Rommel's supply
ships are going to be sunk
636
00:33:48,267 --> 00:33:50,097
in the course of this campaign,
637
00:33:51,374 --> 00:33:52,444
it's a big problem
for the Germans.
638
00:33:53,652 --> 00:33:54,549
-[guns blasting]
-[airplane engines whirring]
639
00:33:57,311 --> 00:34:00,245
[Narrator] In the desert,
640
00:34:01,798 --> 00:34:03,282
Rommel's mounting supply
setbacks make it difficult
641
00:34:03,282 --> 00:34:04,490
to the Allied pressure
at El Alamein.
642
00:34:05,905 --> 00:34:08,425
By late October,
his Panzerarmee is reduced
643
00:34:09,737 --> 00:34:11,394
to fewer than 300
operational tanks.
644
00:34:12,981 --> 00:34:15,156
Montgomery knows that if he
can draw them into the open
645
00:34:15,950 --> 00:34:18,470
and take them out,
646
00:34:19,919 --> 00:34:21,611
the Axis position will
become unsustainable.
647
00:34:21,611 --> 00:34:23,992
He orders a massive
offensive.
648
00:34:25,408 --> 00:34:26,995
Operation Supercharge
will be led by New Zealand
649
00:34:27,824 --> 00:34:30,413
and British infantry.
650
00:34:31,724 --> 00:34:34,244
They will attempt
to create a funnel
651
00:34:34,244 --> 00:34:34,589
for two further waves of
tanks and self-propelled
guns.
652
00:34:36,315 --> 00:34:38,938
It will be the biggest
concentration of force
653
00:34:39,836 --> 00:34:41,320
in North Africa so far.
654
00:34:43,115 --> 00:34:44,461
At 1:00 a.m., hundreds of
British troops go over the
top.
655
00:34:47,637 --> 00:34:48,638
[Peter] There was
the deafening crash
656
00:34:51,710 --> 00:34:53,229
-of the shells bursting,
-[shell booms]
657
00:34:53,229 --> 00:34:53,953
interspersed with
fierce bursts of fire
658
00:34:55,196 --> 00:34:56,439
from German and
British Tommy-guns,
659
00:34:56,439 --> 00:34:59,131
[guns rattling]
660
00:34:59,131 --> 00:35:00,132
and occasionally the crash
of a British hand grenade
661
00:35:00,132 --> 00:35:01,513
exploding in a trench.
662
00:35:02,100 --> 00:35:04,619
[dramatic music]
663
00:35:04,619 --> 00:35:06,518
-[gun blasting]
-[explosion blasts]
664
00:35:07,829 --> 00:35:09,762
[Narrator] The battlefield
becomes a confusion
665
00:35:09,762 --> 00:35:11,488
of heavy smoke
and swirling sand,
666
00:35:11,488 --> 00:35:12,455
hiding the Axis
positions.
667
00:35:13,835 --> 00:35:15,527
The Devil's Garden is
living up to its name.
668
00:35:16,562 --> 00:35:19,358
[tense music]
669
00:35:20,911 --> 00:35:22,982
The right flank of the New
Zealand infantry advance
670
00:35:22,982 --> 00:35:24,363
is entrusted to the
28th Maori Battalion.
671
00:35:24,984 --> 00:35:29,472
[gentle music]
672
00:35:29,472 --> 00:35:30,887
Newly restored footage from
the New Zealand archives
673
00:35:30,887 --> 00:35:32,509
shows the soldiers
in their homeland
674
00:35:33,786 --> 00:35:35,995
as they prepare
to depart for war.
675
00:35:35,995 --> 00:35:38,515
Descended from the
indigenous Polynesian people
676
00:35:39,896 --> 00:35:42,416
who settled in New
Zealand 600 years ago,
677
00:35:42,416 --> 00:35:45,177
the Maori are proud to
show off their distinctive
678
00:35:45,177 --> 00:35:46,385
South Pacific culture
for the cameras.
679
00:35:48,560 --> 00:35:49,561
[soldier shouting
in foreign language]
680
00:35:52,115 --> 00:35:54,013
They perform the Haka,
681
00:35:54,013 --> 00:35:55,153
a war challenge staged
when different tribes meet.
682
00:35:55,153 --> 00:35:58,017
[soldiers yelling]
683
00:35:59,329 --> 00:36:01,538
Intimidating tongue
and facial gestures,
684
00:36:01,538 --> 00:36:02,574
as well as displays of
weapons and fighting moves,
685
00:36:04,334 --> 00:36:06,302
indicate the performing
group's readiness for a
fight.
686
00:36:06,302 --> 00:36:09,028
[soldiers yelling]
687
00:36:10,616 --> 00:36:11,134
It will be put to the test
in Operation Supercharge.
688
00:36:14,793 --> 00:36:15,518
[Harry] I heard
someone calling my name
689
00:36:18,245 --> 00:36:20,316
saying he was badly hit.
690
00:36:20,316 --> 00:36:21,489
We couldn't stop
and carried on.
691
00:36:21,489 --> 00:36:23,250
Right at that moment,
692
00:36:24,734 --> 00:36:25,700
a bullet passed through
the butt of my weapon.
693
00:36:25,700 --> 00:36:26,736
[Narrator] The 28th
Maori Battalion
694
00:36:29,463 --> 00:36:31,119
suffer over 100
casualties.
695
00:36:31,119 --> 00:36:33,570
[explosion blasts]
696
00:36:33,570 --> 00:36:34,295
But they hold the
right flank.
697
00:36:34,295 --> 00:36:36,470
[explosion blasts]
698
00:36:36,470 --> 00:36:37,540
The infantry cut a
large channel
699
00:36:38,817 --> 00:36:41,302
through the Axis'
desert defenses.
700
00:36:41,302 --> 00:36:42,924
But further back, a
formidable line of German
artillery
701
00:36:42,924 --> 00:36:45,099
and anti-tank guns
is still intact.
702
00:36:45,686 --> 00:36:47,446
[guns blasting]
703
00:36:48,551 --> 00:36:49,966
It's going to
take something
704
00:36:49,966 --> 00:36:52,037
heavier than infantry
to take them out.
705
00:36:52,037 --> 00:36:53,072
94 Sherman and
Grant tanks
706
00:36:55,903 --> 00:36:57,076
of the British 9th
Armored Brigade
707
00:36:58,285 --> 00:36:59,389
blast across the
open terrain.
708
00:37:01,322 --> 00:37:02,150
With no cover, the German
guns wreak havoc on their
advance.
709
00:37:03,566 --> 00:37:06,327
-[guns blasting]
-[explosions booming]
710
00:37:08,398 --> 00:37:11,332
The losses mount.
711
00:37:12,747 --> 00:37:14,232
But Montgomery is
committed to the action.
712
00:37:14,232 --> 00:37:15,647
He sends over 100 tanks
713
00:37:17,856 --> 00:37:18,926
from the 1st Armored
Division to join the battle.
714
00:37:18,926 --> 00:37:21,273
[tank engine rumbling]
715
00:37:23,033 --> 00:37:23,655
As they advance, the
remaining German and Italian
tanks
716
00:37:24,552 --> 00:37:27,417
finally counterattack.
717
00:37:28,176 --> 00:37:30,834
[tense dramatic music]
718
00:37:30,834 --> 00:37:32,629
El Alamein is now a clash
of tank versus tank.
719
00:37:32,629 --> 00:37:35,183
[explosion booms]
720
00:37:35,736 --> 00:37:37,255
[guns blasting]
721
00:37:38,256 --> 00:37:39,671
Captain Keith Douglas
722
00:37:42,570 --> 00:37:44,192
experiences the battle inside
a British Crusader tank.
723
00:37:44,192 --> 00:37:46,712
[Keith] The turret was
full of fumes and smoke.
724
00:37:48,300 --> 00:37:49,301
Empty cartridge and shell
cases littered the floor.
725
00:37:51,234 --> 00:37:51,821
I coughed and sweated. Fear
had given place to
exhilaration.
726
00:37:54,824 --> 00:37:57,516
The enemy fire
grew more intense.
727
00:37:59,069 --> 00:37:59,691
I crouched in the turret,
expecting at any moment
728
00:38:01,140 --> 00:38:02,314
the crash which would
bring our disintegration.
729
00:38:06,042 --> 00:38:09,804
It's a grind.
730
00:38:09,804 --> 00:38:10,909
And the British take
huge casualties,
731
00:38:10,909 --> 00:38:12,669
much heavier than expected,
732
00:38:12,669 --> 00:38:14,878
but the Germans take
even heavier ones.
733
00:38:14,878 --> 00:38:17,467
The German panzer
force is decimated
734
00:38:18,296 --> 00:38:20,953
by Operation Supercharge.
735
00:38:20,953 --> 00:38:21,506
[Narrator] Burning tanks
dominate the landscape.
736
00:38:24,819 --> 00:38:26,407
The Panzerarmee
Afrika had 500
737
00:38:28,547 --> 00:38:29,548
at the start of
the offensive.
738
00:38:30,308 --> 00:38:31,654
Only 35 remain.
739
00:38:33,725 --> 00:38:35,796
Montgomery knows
victory must be near.
740
00:38:36,555 --> 00:38:38,764
[tank engine whirring]
741
00:38:39,800 --> 00:38:43,562
-[shell clanking]
-[gun blasting]
742
00:38:43,562 --> 00:38:45,599
24 hours into
Operation Supercharge,
743
00:38:47,083 --> 00:38:48,809
British Eighth Army infantry
launch renewed attacks
744
00:38:49,672 --> 00:38:51,605
along the front line.
745
00:38:52,882 --> 00:38:55,850
With no tanks left
to support them,
746
00:38:55,850 --> 00:38:56,541
the Axis defenders in the
Devil's Garden begin to
crack.
747
00:38:57,956 --> 00:39:00,786
[gun rattling]
748
00:39:02,063 --> 00:39:03,548
At the end, Rommel
doesn't have the reserves
749
00:39:03,548 --> 00:39:04,445
or reinforcements to
sustain his position.
750
00:39:05,619 --> 00:39:07,759
[Narrator] With his
defenses failing,
751
00:39:08,622 --> 00:39:10,417
Rommel has no choice.
752
00:39:10,417 --> 00:39:12,557
He orders a full
withdrawal.
753
00:39:12,557 --> 00:39:14,593
Rommel knows that he has to
concede defeat at Alamein,
754
00:39:14,593 --> 00:39:17,700
and withdraw deeper into Libya,
to shorten his supply lines,
755
00:39:17,700 --> 00:39:20,565
and build up his strength again,
756
00:39:21,911 --> 00:39:23,464
if he is to save his army
to fight another day.
757
00:39:23,464 --> 00:39:27,399
[Narrator] As
British tanks pursue,
758
00:39:27,399 --> 00:39:29,228
news cameraman Terry Ashwood
gets right to the action,
759
00:39:29,228 --> 00:39:32,197
rolling film from the
top of a supply lorry
760
00:39:32,197 --> 00:39:35,338
as shells land
around him.
761
00:39:35,338 --> 00:39:36,339
-[explosion blasts]
-[dramatic music]
762
00:39:37,651 --> 00:39:40,688
[Terry] Shelling and bombing
can be quite unpleasant.
763
00:39:40,688 --> 00:39:43,795
So the next time you see this
sort of thing on the screen,
764
00:39:43,795 --> 00:39:46,418
remember the poor old
cameraman who is trying to
duck
765
00:39:46,418 --> 00:39:47,488
and take pictures
at the same time.
766
00:39:49,628 --> 00:39:52,597
[tank engine whirring]
767
00:39:53,805 --> 00:39:55,565
[Narrator] Rare footage
reveals a high-level
768
00:39:55,565 --> 00:39:56,290
German officer in
the act of surrender.
769
00:39:57,602 --> 00:39:59,604
General Ritter von Thoma
770
00:40:02,054 --> 00:40:02,986
is one of the most
experienced panzer
commanders
771
00:40:02,986 --> 00:40:06,507
in the German Army.
772
00:40:06,507 --> 00:40:09,061
He's been captured
whilst attempting
773
00:40:09,061 --> 00:40:09,268
a desperate rear-guard
action, protecting Rommel's
retreat.
774
00:40:11,374 --> 00:40:14,998
Montgomery invites von Thoma
to dinner that evening
775
00:40:14,998 --> 00:40:17,345
to discuss the battle.
776
00:40:18,657 --> 00:40:20,176
[General Ritter von Thoma]
I was staggered
777
00:40:20,176 --> 00:40:22,247
at the exactness
of his knowledge,
778
00:40:22,247 --> 00:40:23,593
he seemed to know as much
about our position as I did.
779
00:40:23,593 --> 00:40:27,045
[Narrator]But aside
from von Thoma,
780
00:40:27,045 --> 00:40:29,219
the British fail to catch
781
00:40:29,219 --> 00:40:31,014
the rapidly departing
German commanders.
782
00:40:31,014 --> 00:40:33,154
The actual breakthrough
comes as a bit of a surprise
783
00:40:33,154 --> 00:40:35,398
to the Eighth Army,
and as a consequence,
784
00:40:35,398 --> 00:40:36,537
the army is quite
slow to react to it.
785
00:40:37,780 --> 00:40:41,473
Montgomery also wants
to be absolutely certain
786
00:40:41,473 --> 00:40:42,681
that he has defeated the
Germans and Italians,
787
00:40:43,579 --> 00:40:45,443
and that he's won this battle
788
00:40:46,271 --> 00:40:48,515
before he rushes into a pursuit.
789
00:40:48,515 --> 00:40:50,378
[Narrator] The wily Desert
Fox has turned tail.
790
00:40:51,621 --> 00:40:53,554
But North Africa
has become a trap.
791
00:40:54,417 --> 00:40:56,005
[dramatic music]
792
00:40:58,663 --> 00:40:59,871
2,000 miles west, the
plans made by Roosevelt
793
00:41:01,459 --> 00:41:03,046
and Churchill five months
earlier come to fruition.
794
00:41:07,085 --> 00:41:07,395
Operation Torch, a massive
Anglo-American invasion
force
795
00:41:11,572 --> 00:41:15,403
commanded by General
Dwight Eisenhower
796
00:41:15,403 --> 00:41:16,957
approaches
northwest Africa.
797
00:41:18,199 --> 00:41:19,891
In scenes that foreshadow
D-Day,
798
00:41:21,202 --> 00:41:22,065
U.S. infantry crash
from landing craft,
799
00:41:24,482 --> 00:41:25,068
and paratroopers jump from
C-47 transport planes.
800
00:41:28,071 --> 00:41:30,764
[airplane engines whirring]
801
00:41:32,282 --> 00:41:33,698
They aim to snatch total
control of North Africa
802
00:41:34,561 --> 00:41:38,392
using overwhelming force.
803
00:41:38,392 --> 00:41:39,773
[Edwin]Violent,
rapid, ruthless combat
804
00:41:40,670 --> 00:41:42,327
is the only way to win.
805
00:41:43,604 --> 00:41:44,536
Make it tough and
make it violent.
806
00:41:44,536 --> 00:41:46,469
[gun blasting]
807
00:41:48,436 --> 00:41:49,092
[Narrator]As Rommel moves
west, he has some successes
808
00:41:52,751 --> 00:41:54,995
against the relatively
inexperienced Americans.
809
00:41:54,995 --> 00:41:57,791
[tank engine rumbling]
810
00:41:59,137 --> 00:42:00,552
But despite
reinforcements from Italy,
811
00:42:00,552 --> 00:42:02,347
his army is
overstretched.
812
00:42:03,417 --> 00:42:05,005
Rommel and the Axis
forces now face
813
00:42:06,213 --> 00:42:08,318
Montgomery's troops
advancing from the east,
814
00:42:08,318 --> 00:42:09,734
a new Anglo-American army
advancing from the west.
815
00:42:10,804 --> 00:42:13,461
They're caught
in between,
816
00:42:14,739 --> 00:42:16,223
and whilst there are gonna
be tough battles ahead,
817
00:42:16,223 --> 00:42:18,466
from a campaign
perspective it's game over.
818
00:42:18,466 --> 00:42:19,847
[Narrator] Film from the
U.S. Army Signal Corps
819
00:42:21,642 --> 00:42:22,125
reveals American Lee tanks
clashing with Panzer Mark
IVs.
820
00:42:25,612 --> 00:42:27,130
[explosion blasts]
821
00:42:29,512 --> 00:42:31,859
As the enemy
turns to flee,
822
00:42:33,136 --> 00:42:35,276
swastika flags on the
rear become visible.
823
00:42:35,276 --> 00:42:37,831
They're meant to
mark out the panzers
824
00:42:39,004 --> 00:42:40,281
as friendly to
the Luftwaffe.
825
00:42:40,281 --> 00:42:42,698
[gun blasting]
826
00:42:42,698 --> 00:42:44,009
Now they provide
a helpful target
827
00:42:44,009 --> 00:42:44,872
for supporting
British artillery.
828
00:42:49,290 --> 00:42:51,879
Trapped between
two Allied armies,
829
00:42:53,294 --> 00:42:56,194
Rommel advises Hitler
to allow a full retreat.
830
00:42:56,194 --> 00:42:58,161
The request is denied, and
Rommel flies back to
Germany.
831
00:43:00,060 --> 00:43:02,580
He will never
return to Africa.
832
00:43:04,236 --> 00:43:04,996
The Allies hunt down
his remaining forces.
833
00:43:08,102 --> 00:43:10,829
In total, the Axis
powers suffer
834
00:43:12,106 --> 00:43:14,592
400,000 casualties
in North Africa.
835
00:43:14,592 --> 00:43:16,870
It's a major setback for
Germany's war effort.
836
00:43:18,699 --> 00:43:21,081
Mussolini's dream of a new
Roman Empire lies in
tatters.
837
00:43:23,635 --> 00:43:26,465
El Alamein is 180 degrees.
838
00:43:27,605 --> 00:43:29,572
From Axis victory
to Allied victory,
839
00:43:29,572 --> 00:43:30,573
and really, the rest of the
war is going to be nothing
840
00:43:31,574 --> 00:43:33,472
but a series of
Allied victories.
841
00:43:34,819 --> 00:43:35,923
[Narrator] In London,
Winston Churchill reflects
842
00:43:37,407 --> 00:43:39,099
on the importance of the
events at El Alamein.
843
00:43:39,099 --> 00:43:41,135
This is not the end.
844
00:43:43,137 --> 00:43:44,035
It is not even the
beginning of the end.
845
00:43:45,415 --> 00:43:48,902
But it is perhaps, the
end of the beginning.
846
00:43:48,902 --> 00:43:51,767
[audience applauding]
847
00:43:53,458 --> 00:43:55,287
[Narrator] Newsreels
celebrate Montgomery's firm
grip
848
00:43:55,287 --> 00:43:57,117
on the Eighth Army,
849
00:43:58,532 --> 00:43:59,395
and prove it is possible
to defeat Germany
850
00:43:59,395 --> 00:44:03,088
on the battlefield.
851
00:44:03,088 --> 00:44:03,571
The liberation of Europe is
no longer a distant dream.
67759
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