Battle of El Alamein

1 7.5

A major 1942 World War II battle in North Africa where Allied forces defeated German and Italian armies

proper noun

: Batalla de El Alamein

Historian accounts show that the Battle of El Alamein played a crucial role in the defeat of Axis forces.

Examples

The man who masterminded the Battle of El Alamein.

Full Love (2010)
Its latest success was commemorating the 70th anniversary of the decisive Battle of El Alamein at Westminster Abbey a couple of weeks ago.

Blog text (9)
The decisive victory at the Battle of El Alamein marked a turning point in World War II.
Many military strategies were developed during the Battle of El Alamein that are still studied today.

Synonyms

Second Battle of El Alamein

vsBattle of El Alamein

7.9

A major 1942 World War II battle in Egypt where Allied forces led by Montgomery defeat Rommel's German army

is broader, including both German and Italian forces in the decisive 1942 fight

Al Alamayn

vsBattle of El Alamein

9.8

A major 1942 World War II battle in North Africa where Allied forces under Montgomery defeat Rommel's German troops

emphasizes victory over German forces while the key notes defeat of both Axis armies

Surface Forms

Battle of El Alamein main

Morphology

battle + of + El + Alamein

The structure 'battle' + 'of' + place name is fully compositional: a B1 learner who knows the words will infer it refers to a military engagement that took place at El Alamein. While learners may not know the historical significance or date, the basic meaning (a battle at that location) is directly derivable and this naming pattern is cross-linguistically common.

Etymology

Battle of El Alamein was a major World War II fight in 1942 in North Africa where British-led forces under Montgomery stopped the German and Italian advance toward Egypt and the Suez Canal. So, because it stopped this move and gave the Allies new hope, people call it a 'turning point' in the campaign.