Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 24, 2017 11:34:50 GMT 12
Right about now, 75 years ago, the British and Allied armies, including the 2nd New Zealand Division, were around three hours into the big push in the Second Battle of El Alamein. This would prove to be the most decisive battle in the history of the war so far in terms of pushing back the Axis forces, and it would lead to the Allies pushing Rommel's Afrika Korps and the Italians further and further west till they had to quit Africa all together in June 1943.
As well as our Division, New Zealanders in the RNZAF and RAF were there as part of the battle all the way in the air with the Desert Air Force in the likes of the Hurribombers, Kittybombers, Wellingtons, etc., striking at the retreating enemy columns and supply dumps. And there were RNZN members flying in the battle in Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm aircraft, particularly decisively in the Fairey Albacores of No.'s 823 and 826 Squadrons. They were marking the targets at night for the fleets of Wellington bombers to attack. This night target marking had been developed by these two Albacore squadrons and was eventually adopted by the RAF for Europe, forming the Pathfinder Force.
Let's remember them all who fought in the Second Battle of El Alamein.
As well as our Division, New Zealanders in the RNZAF and RAF were there as part of the battle all the way in the air with the Desert Air Force in the likes of the Hurribombers, Kittybombers, Wellingtons, etc., striking at the retreating enemy columns and supply dumps. And there were RNZN members flying in the battle in Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm aircraft, particularly decisively in the Fairey Albacores of No.'s 823 and 826 Squadrons. They were marking the targets at night for the fleets of Wellington bombers to attack. This night target marking had been developed by these two Albacore squadrons and was eventually adopted by the RAF for Europe, forming the Pathfinder Force.
Let's remember them all who fought in the Second Battle of El Alamein.
