On October 27, 1942, the fourth day of the Battle of El Alamein, Allied and Axis forces remained locked in intense combat across the harsh desert landscape of Egypt. This day marked a critical stage in the Allied effort to weaken German and Italian forces and gain control over North Africa, with the ultimate goal of safeguarding the Suez Canal and Allied oil supplies.
I have previously posted about my father’s favourite officer. Well it was on 27th October 1942 at El Alamein that Vic Turner’s heroism led to the award of the Victoria Cross. The citation reads as follows:
“Lieutenant-Colonel Turner led a Battalion of the Rifle Brigade at night for 4,000 yards through difficult country to their objective, where 40 German prisoners were captured. He then organised the captured position for all-round defence; in this position he and his Battalion were continuously attacked from 5.30 a.m. to 7 p.m., unsupported and so isolated that replenishment of ammunition was impossible owing to the concentration and accuracy of the enemy fire.
During this time the Battalion was attacked by not less than 90 German tanks which advanced in successive waves. All of these were repulsed with a loss to the enemy of 35 tanks which were in flames, and not less than 20 more which had been immobilised.
Throughout the action Lieutenant-Colonel Turner never ceased to go to each part of the front as it was threatened. Wherever the fire was heaviest, there he was to be found. In one case, finding a solitary six-pounder gun in action (the others being casualties) and manned only by another officer and a Sergeant, he acted as loader and with these two destroyed 5 enemy tanks. While doing this he was wounded in the head, but he refused all aid until the last tank was destroyed.
His personal gallantry and complete disregard of danger as he moved about encouraging his Battalion to resist to the last, resulted in the infliction of a severe defeat on the enemy tanks. He set an example of leadership and bravery which inspired his whole Battalion and which will remain an inspiration to the Brigade.”
As the sun set over the desert on that day, both sides had suffered significant casualties, with the Allied forces making small but vital gains. Montgomery’s slow, methodical advance was paying off, pushing Axis forces closer to exhaustion while avoiding the risks of overextending. It was men like Vic Turner that made Montgomery’s plan succeed.