ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a re-evaluation of American reinforcement for the Eighth Army following the fall of Tobruk in June 1942, arguing that American arms and air power made a decisive, contribution to the victory at El Alamein. American airpower made a significant contribution to the eventual Allied victory in the desert, and the build up of American air forces began before the crisis of June 1942. American reinforcements and equipment, driven forward by Winston S Churchill who had to "account for all this to the President," made an indispensable and overlooked contribution to the eventual victory of the British-led forces at El Alamein. The fall of Tobruk shifted the focus of the conference and reinforced Churchill and Roosevelt's ability to advance the invasion of French North Africa over the objections of their military leaders. Churchill's reflection that the actions of the American government on June 21, 1942 were those of a selfless "friend indeed" captures one aspect of the story.
