while it was stationed at Northiam, Kent. In April 1942 the division came under War Office control preparatory to going overseas, and on 29 May it embarked for Egypt. North Africa 44th (HC) Division arrived in Egypt on 24 July, shortly after Eighth Army had retreated to the El Alamein position. On 15 August it was assigned to XIII Corps before General Rommel attacked the El Alamein line (the Battle of Alam el Halfa). The division held the Alam Halfa ridge when the attack came in on 30 August. The Panzer attack was ragged, but a fierce battle broke out between them and 22nd Armoured Brigade, with 44th Divisional Artillery joining in 'to give the enemy tanks a hot reception'. Over the next two days the Panzers made repeated attacks but 44th (HC) Division held its position and by 3 September it was counter-attacking. For Eighth Army's counter-offensive (the Second Battle of Alamein), 44th (HC) Division was to lead one of XIII Corps' thrusts through the enemy minefields on the first night, 23/24 October (Operation Lightfoot). A route was found through the first belt of minefields ('January') on the first night and 44th (HC) Division succeeded in passing the second minefield ('February') the next night, but the armour was unable to exploit beyond. The second phase of the offensive, Operation Supercharge, was launched on the night of 27/28 October. Eventually, the armour broke though, and next day came signs that the enemy was withdrawing. 44th (HC) Division took some part in the pursuit to El Agheila, collecting prisoners, but XIII Corps was short of transport and was left behind as Eighth Army drove westwards. Shortly afterwards 44th (HC) Division HQ was disbanded, and its units distributed. 65th (8th London) Fd Rgt was transferred to 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division on 19 November. This formation was in reserve, and only came back into the front line for the Battle of the Mareth Line. For this battle 50th (N) Division was tasked with assaulting the Wadi Zigzaou, which opened on the night of 16/17 March 1943 with 69th Bde successfully driving in the enemy outposts with the support of the whole divisional artillery. The following day it pushed on to the wadi itself, and began the assault with 151st Bde on 20/21 March. The divisional artillery was strongly reinforced and supplied with up to 500 rounds of ammunition per gun, but only a