At a service in Westminster Abbey in London to mark the North Africa battle, which saw General Sir Bernard Montgomery's troops defeated German general Erwin Rommel's Afrika Korps, a 500-strong crowd turned out to pay their respects to those who lost their lives in what is widely seen as the turning point in the second world war.

Major Freddie Salinger, 94, who was subjected to a dive bomb attack which killed four men from his troop, told of his experience in the 14-day battle. He said: "It was not until about the 9th day [of battle], I looked up and saw some Stuka dive bombers. I didn't realise it but they were for us. I found out we had lost four, including a sergeant."