Montgomery’s Desert Army

Originally Churchill's second choice as a commander, Montgomery was to make the 8th Army his own. Indeed, his first task as the new commander-elect was to restore the morale of the army. The desert army quicly assumed the character of their forthright and cocksure commander, and the troops confidently expected victory. This they achieved at the Battle of El Alamein (1942) and the order of battle for the British and Dominion forces is detailed in full. The difficulties of desert warfare and the type of equipment and uniforms are also discussed.