1023_04: Diversion in the South - PzC 11 El Alamein '42

Southern sector, El Alamein, October 23rd 1942: To throw the Germans off the scent, Montgomery launched 'Operation Bertram'. This plan was to convince the Afrika Korps that the full might of the Eighth Army would be used in the south. Dummy tanks were erected in the region. A dummy pipeline was also built, slowly, so as to convey that the Allies were in no hurry to attack. Monty's army in the north also had to "disappear". Bertram worked and when Rommel, who was away sick when the battle began, returned to command the army, he was convinced that the attack would be in the south. But to hold the Axis reserves in place in the south, a strong push had to be made, or the deception would be quickly disregarded. [Size, medium]