Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A decisive World War II battle: A major pitched battle fought in 1942 near the Egyptian village of El Alamein, resulting in a crucial Allied victory. British forces, commanded by Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, defeated the German-Italian forces led by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, halting the Axis advance into Egypt.
   • A village in Egypt: A coastal village located west of Alexandria on Egypt's northern coast, which gave its name to the nearby battlefields.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun (Battle):

  • The Allied victory at El Alamein was a turning point in the North African campaign.
  • Historians often cite El Alamein as the battle that ended Rommel's advance towards the Suez Canal.

• Proper noun (Location):

  • The village of El Alamein is situated on the Mediterranean coast.
  • Today, El Alamein is known for its war memorials and museums.

Advanced Usage

• "The First/Second Battle of El Alamein": Used to specify the two distinct engagements fought in the area in 1942.
  • The First Battle of El Alamein in July halted the Axis advance, while the Second Battle in October-November was the decisive Allied offensive.

Variants and Related Words

• Alamein: A common shortened form used, especially in British historical context.
  • The veterans gathered to commemorate the anniversary of Alamein.

Synonyms

• Turning point (in context): A decisive moment or change, often used to describe the battle's historical significance.
• Decisive battle: A battle that settles the outcome of a conflict or campaign.

Noun

1. a pitched battle in World War II (1942) resulting in a decisive Allied victory by British troops under Montgomery over German troops under Rommel
2. a village to the west of Alexandria on the northern coast of Egypt; the scene of a decisive Allied victory over the Germans in 1942