Changes

On 1 July 1942, the Axis forces commenced their advance. However, the Afrika Korps encountered disorganized but spirited resistance from the Indians and South Africans, forcing the ''Trento'' Division and supporting 7th Bersaglieri Regiment to take up defensive positions, and defeating the attacks from the 21st Panzer Division and 90th Light Division.

On 1 July 1942, the Axis forces commenced their advance. However, the Afrika Korps encountered disorganized but spirited resistance from the Indians and South Africans, forcing the ''Trento'' Division and supporting 7th Bersaglieri Regiment to take up defensive positions, and defeating the attacks from the 21st Panzer Division and 90th Light Division.

On 3 July, the 4th New Zealand Brigade, supported by four artillery batteries, attacked the ''Ariete'' Armoured Division forward positions, taking 350 prisoners and capturing or destroying 24 field guns and six or eight tanks. Rommel lambasted the performance of the ''Ariete'' and in a report to General [[Albert Kesselring]], would falsely claim the Italian armoured division had lost one-hundred tanks in the New Zealand infantry attack. <ref>[http://www.comandosupremo.com/1elalamein.html First Battle of El Alamein]</ref>

On 3 July, the 4th New Zealand Brigade, supported by four artillery batteries, attacked the ''Ariete'' Armoured Division forward positions, taking 350 prisoners and capturing or destroying 24 field guns and six or eight tanks. Rommel lambasted the performance of the ''Ariete'' and in a report to General [[Albert Kesselring]], would falsely claim the Italian armoured division had lost one-hundred tanks in the New Zealand infantry attack. <ref>[http://www.comandosupremo.com/1elalamein.html/2 Under a Fading Moon (First Battle of El Alamein)]</ref>

Determined to encircle and capture the rest of the ''Ariete'', the New Zealander infantry attacked again on 5 July, but were repelled by heavy fire from the ''Brescia'' Division dug in near El Mreir.

Determined to encircle and capture the rest of the ''Ariete'', the New Zealander infantry attacked again on 5 July, but were repelled by heavy fire from the ''Brescia'' Division dug in near El Mreir. <ref>[http://www.comandosupremo.com/1elalamein.html/2 Under a Fading Moon (First Battle of El Alamein)]</ref>

The Allied attacks continued, and the Indian 5th Infantry Division in the form of the 9th Brigade and 7th Motorised Brigade, pushed north into Rommel's flank and in three days of fighting almost reached Deir el Shein. A Maori battalion from the 2nd New Zealand Division overran part of the ''Brescia'', but were unexpectedly counterattacked by the ''Pavia'' Division and forced to retreat. The ''Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War'' confirms that ''"enemy forces seeping south threatened to outflank the Division"'' but makes light of the incident.

The Allied attacks continued, and the Indian 5th Infantry Division in the form of the 9th Brigade and 7th Motorised Brigade, pushed north into Rommel's flank and in three days of fighting almost reached Deir el Shein. A Maori battalion from the 2nd New Zealand Division overran part of the ''Brescia'', but were unexpectedly counterattacked by the ''Pavia'' Division and forced to retreat. The ''Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War'' confirms that ''"enemy forces seeping south threatened to outflank the Division"'' but makes light of the incident. <ref>[http://www.comandosupremo.com/1elalamein.html/2 Under a Fading Moon (First Battle of El Alamein)]</ref>

During the initial fighting, Major [[Terence O'Brien-Butler]] from the 3rd Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, displayed enormous control when surrounded by German armour, saving his battery from capture and winning the [[Military Cross]] (MC) for his courage.

During the initial fighting, Major [[Terence O'Brien-Butler]] from the 3rd Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, displayed enormous control when surrounded by German armour, saving his battery from capture and winning the [[Military Cross]] (MC) for his courage.