First Battle of El Alamein
During the First Battle of El Alamein in July 1942, the "Brescia" deployed on El Mreir, repelled a strong force of the 5th New Zealand Infantry Brigade in the initial fighting, and during the defence of Ruweisat Rige, the 19th Regiment of the "Brescia" put up a tenacious defence, losing a battalion and three company commanders in the night action,