Battle of El Alamein,
23rd October - 4th November 1942

3rd The King's Own Hussars, part of the 2nd New Zealand Division, fought their most glorious action of the second World War at El Alamein, the beginning of the end for Rommel's Africa Korps. The first stage of the battle was an attritional slogging match in which the 3rd played a large part, wearing down the enemies armour and antitank capabilities by repeated attacks through the minefields. It was in the second phase however that the 3rd Hussars excelled, starting on the 2 November. Having quietly worked their way through the allied minefields they led the glorious charge into the enemy's antitank positions opening up and holding open a rectangular wedge through which the rest of the Eighth Army poured, led by the New Zealanders.

The cost of the charge was appalling, 47 out of 51 Tanks were destroyed, 21 Officers and 98 other ranks were casualties

The composite 4/8th Hussars were with the 7th Armoured Division at the southern end of the Alamein line, and were employed throughout the battle in diversionary attacks that kept Panzer Divisions occupied and away from the real threat. The Regiment lost many Tanks through unmarked minefields and heavy antitank fire.

As a result of this action General Lord Freyberg VC, Governor of Windsor Castle, who commanded the New Zealand expeditionary forces during World War II granted the 3rd Hussars the Honour of carrying the emblem of New Zealand "The Fern Leaf" in commemoration of the association of the 3rd Hussars with the 2nd New Zealand Division.

"EL ALAMEIN" was awarded as a Battle Honour to the 3rd King's Own Hussars, 4th Queen's Own Hussars and the 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars.

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