George Lewin Rappitt

In November 1942, the 14th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) fought with distinction in North Africa, serving as a specialized Motor Battalion attached to the British Eighth Army during the pivotal Second Battle of El Alamein.
Originally raised in 1940 as a hostilities-only unit (renumbered from the 50th Battalion), the 14th Battalion had been converted into a highly mobile Motor Battalion in July 1942. November marked their definitive entry into high-intensity desert combat as the Allies shattered Axis lines in Egypt.

Originally raised in 1940 as a hostilities-only unit (renumbered from the 50th Battalion), the 14th Battalion had been converted into a highly mobile Motor Battalion in July 1942. November marked their definitive entry into high-intensity desert combat as the Allies shattered Axis lines in Egypt.

Chronology & Key Movements: November 1942

1–3 November: Operation Supercharge & The Bloody Breakthrough

• The Mission: As part of the decisive phase of El Alamein (Operation Supercharge), the 14th Battalion was deployed to exploit gaps blown in the Axis defensive crust.
• The Brutal Reality: On 2 November 1942, a frontline company of the 14th Battalion sustained catastrophic casualties during an advance into heavily fortified anti-tank and machine-gun lines. By mid-morning, elements of the battalion were entirely isolated from friendly lines, pinned down under crossfire and heavy shelling.
• Acts of Bravery: The fighting on November 2 saw immense personal heroism. For example, Captain Richard MacKenzie Dick assumed command of his company after his commander was wounded, continuously moving through intense fire to rally the survivors, tend to the wounded, and fortify defenses. His leadership prevented a complete German breakthrough in that sector.

4–11 November: The Axis Retreat

• The Breakthrough: By 4 November, the Axis lines crumbled. The 14th Battalion moved forward at rapid speed, capitalizing on the mobile nature of their motor transport.
• Mopping Up: Across the first week of November, the battalion advanced swiftly across the desert, taking thousands of Axis prisoners and capturing strategically vital positions, including enemy aerodromes.

Mid to Late November: Refitting in Egypt

• Pulling Back: Following the end of active operations at El Alamein on 11 November, the heavily blooded battalion was pulled back to the Egyptian Delta.
• Bivouac: On 21 November, the battalion arrived at Cowley Camp in Egypt to rest, absorb fresh drafts of reinforcements, and refit their vehicles before being reassigned for the next phase of the Mediterranean campaign.