Rommel was now ready to launch his 1942 summer offensive.

The climax of the Third Reich was rapidly approaching. The Germans were fighting in the city of Stalingrad, its fall couldn’t be too far off. The Germans were advancing in the Caucasus with the Russian oil fields within reach. Maybe the German advance could continue through the Caucasus and link up with Rommel. He was about to unleash his troops but in a drive that would, in the end come short, stopped at El Alamein, and not Cairo/Alexandria and the Suez Canal, as he’d hoped. 

The Japanese had, in the twinkling of an eye, conjured up an empire of vast size throughout the South Pacific, China, and South East Asia, they were even closing in on India – to Hitler’s deep regret. He liked and admired the British Empire and its passing would be something to be mourned.

The Italian armoured division Ariete was about to be given its chance to shine. But would it? Could it?

Third Reich; El Alamein; Cairo; Alexandria; Suez Canal; Stalingrad; Caucasus; Ariete Armoured Division; Gazala Line; Bir Hakeim; Field Marshall Erwin Rommel; 15th Panzer Division; 21st Panzer Division; Trieste Motorised Division; M14/41 tank; General Giuseppe De Stefanis; 2nd Royal Lancers; Bersaglieri; Panzerarmée Afrika; Deutsche Afrika Korp; Africa Corp; 90th Light Division; 'The Cauldron'; Littorio Armoured Division; General Gervasio Bitossi; General Emilio Becuzzi;