Lecture Notes: El Alamein Memorial Cemetery
Key Points
- El Alamein Memorial Cemetery is a war memorial in the El Alamein War Cemetery.
- Commemorates 11,866 members who died during World War II.
- It includes those who died in campaigns in the Western Desert, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, and have no known grave.
Location Information
- Located in the village of Alamein, approximately 130 km west of Alexandria.
- Visitors should turn off the main road onto the old coast road to access the cemetery.
Visiting Information
- Open daily from 0700 to 1700.
- Wheelchair access is available.
Historical Context
- The Western Desert campaign was fought between Commonwealth forces (based in Egypt) and Axis forces (based in Libya).
- The campaign occurred between 1940 and 1942 over a 1,000 km desert stretch.
- The campaign aimed to control the Mediterranean, Suez Canal, Middle Eastern oil supplies, and the supply route to Russia.
Memorial Details
- Alamein Memorial: Entrance to the Alamein War Cemetery.
- Commemorates over 8,500 soldiers from campaigns in Egypt, Libya, and the Eighth Army operations in Tunisia.
- The Air Forces panels honor over 3,000 airmen from various campaigns.
El Alamein War Cemetery
- Contains graves of men from all stages of the Western Desert Campaign.
- Includes 7,239 Commonwealth burials from WWII, of which 814 are unidentified.
The Alamein Cremation Memorial
- Located in the southeastern part of the cemetery.
- Commemorates over 600 men cremated in Egypt and Libya.
El Alamein War Cemetery and Museum
- The cemetery houses graves and serves as a memorial for the Western Desert campaign.
- The nearby museum offers artifacts and personal testimonials.
Visitor Information
- The cemetery and museum are near each other; free admission to the cemetery, museum entry requires a fee.
- Recommendations: Bring water, a hat, and sunscreen.
- The museum includes restrooms.
Access and Best Visiting Time
- Best reached by taxi, car, or tours from Alexandria or Cairo.
- Cemetery open daily, best visited in the morning due to sun exposure.
Additional Information
- El Alamein is Egypt's largest WWII cemetery.
- The cemetery is always open to visitors worldwide, with an accompanying museum to explore.
FAQs
- Location: El Alamein is in Egypt, about 3 hours from Cairo and 100 km from Alexandria.
- Biggest WWII Cemetery: El Alamein Memorial Cemetery is the largest.
- Casualties at El Alamein: Includes 30,000 Germans, 20 Italians, and 14,000 British casualties.
Contact Information
These notes provide an overview and essential details about the El Alamein Memorial Cemetery, its historical significance, and visiting logistics.