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Article: El Alamein's new battle ...to turn into the Egyptian Algarve; In 1942 it witnessed an epic military clash. Now, says John Carter, the Western Desert is fighting to lure an army of tourists, REVIEW.
- Article from:
- The Mail on Sunday (London, England)
- Article date:
- May 8, 2005
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 Solo Syndication Limited. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: JOHN CARTER
MY EMOTIONS were in turmoil as we walked from the tour bus to the Commonwealth War Cemetery at El Alamein. We weren't in Egypt's Western Desert as pilgrims to the battleground of a distant war, but as holidaymakers enjoying the Mediterranean beaches, the April sunshine and the comfort of a five-star hotel.
El Alamein's place in military history should have been irrelevant.
But it can't be. Though none of us had chosen the destination because of its past, many guests at the newly-opened Movenpick Hotel took the half-day excursion to the cemeteries and Second World War museum. What we saw will be described in due course. What ...