For over two months the 2/17th observed enemy defences, before moving to a reserve training area in preparation for the Battle of El Alamein. After an excursion with 20th Brigade to block enemy threat in the south the battalion moved to the forward defended locality of Tel El Eisa in early-August. The 2/17th reached the forward defences in mid-July. The 9th Division moved to the area from Syria and held the northern sector in protracted defence for almost four months, while the British prepared for an offensive under new command. German and Italian forces reached the vicinity of El Alamein in Egypt, about 100 miles north of the capital. The war in North Africa became critical for the British Eighth Army in early-July 1942. In the first half of 1942 the battalion undertook training in Lebanon and Syria. They remained there for the rest of the year. The 2/17th moved to Hill 69, near Gaza, between 20 and 27 October 1941.
During this time, the remaining 9th Division was successfully relieved by the 70th British Division, arriving by units in stages by sea to Alexandria and by land to Palestine. Tobruk was under siege for over eight months. Corporal John Hurst Edmondson was posthumously awarded Australia's first Victoria Cross for his involvement in the battle. The German tanks were destroyed by artillery and supporting arms. When the Axis made a major attack to capture Tobruk at Easter, the 2/17th held against German tanks and remained in position with engaging enemy infantry. The 2/17th was involved in a general withdrawal of British forces to Tobruk. In early March 1941 the 2/17th relieved subunits of the 6th Division destined for Greece in the foremost defences near Mersa Brega, east of Tripoli.Īfter German forces landed at Tripoli to bolster the Italians, they soon advanced to the east. The brigade transferred to the newly formed 9th Division en route to Egypt, arriving in the Middle East in November. In October 1940 the 20th Brigade sailed from Sydney Harbour to the Middle East. The 2/17th did its basic training at Ingleburn, before marching to Bathurst army camp for subunit field training. The 2/17th Infantry Battalion was formed on 26 April 1940 at Ingleburn army camp, south-west of Liverpool, as part of the 20th Brigade of the newly formed 7th Division.
: Australian Military History Publications, 1998)
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