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There is a belt of approximately 20 km which parallels the coast of North Africa that is steeped in history. Along its corridor, legions of opposing forces have battled for supremacy since before the Romans and Carthaginians. In the early 1940's it was the Italians and the Germans against the Allies of the British Empire, composed of the Free French, Australians, New Zealanders and later the Americans. These battles raged on the ground and in the air.
This is one of the most inhospitable environments the world has ever known. Day time temperatures can soar to 140 degrees Fahrenheit and freezing nights and sand storms scour human flesh left exposed. Fuel, equipment and supplies were secondary to survival in this barren moonscape. Out of this cauldron of hell on earth emerged names that are forever etched in the annals of modem military history: Rommel, the Afrika Korps, Tobruk, Halayfa Pass are some. In the end, it all rested on who possessed the most reliable supply lines for war material and fresh troops.
In Robert Bailey's dramatic painting, 274 Hurricane Squadron encounter a force of 15 Stukas of 1./StG 3 escorted by 15 fighters near AI Adem on May 31st. 1942. Calling for top cover (Spitfires) to engage the enemy fighters, Wing Commander ‘Jimmy' Fenton made several close attacks on the Stukas, but was then himself attacked by a Bf 109 when his Hurricane was damaged. But he managed to land safely at EI Adem. Jimmy Fenton was awarded an immediate DFC for this action.
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