Desert Rats: British Eighth Army's Elite Desert Troops

Q: Who were known as the Desert Rats?

The Desert Rats was the nickname of members of the British 7th Armoured Division, which fought in North Africa in WWII. Their shoulder badge was the ratlike jerboa. The name is sometimes more loosely applied to any troops of the British Eighth Army.

Q: Why were British soldiers in North Africa called the Desert Rats?

British and British Empire soldiers of the 7th Armoured Division of WWII were called the Desert Rats because of their abilities in the desert and their shoulder badge showing a jerboa, the desert rodent.

Mark Cartwright

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Definition

The Desert Rats was the nickname of the 7th Armoured Division of the British Eighth Army, which first fought in North Africa during the Second World War (1939-45). Fighting in the Western Desert Campaigns and the North Africa Campaign, the Desert Rats, so called because of their jerboa shoulder flash, participated in such famous victories as the battles of El Alamein.

More about: Desert Rats

Timeline

9 Dec 1940 - 7 Feb 1941
The Allied Operation Compass, which defeated Italian forces during the Western Desert Campaigns.
Apr 1941 - Dec 1941
The failed siege of Tobruk by Axis forces commanded by Erwin Rommel.
May 1942 - Jun 1942
The Battle of Gazala in Libya between Allied and Axis forces led by Erwin Rommel, the victor.
1 Jul 1942 - 27 Jul 1942
The Allies win the First Battle of El Alamein in North Africa against Axis forces led by Erwin Rommel.
Oct 1942 - Nov 1942
The Second Battle of El Alamein in North Africa between Allied forces led by Bernard Montgomery and Axis forces led by Erwin Rommel.
Oct 1942 - Nov 1942
The Allies led by Bernard Montgomery win the Second Battle of El Alamein against Axis forces led by Erwin Rommel.
Nov 1942 - May 1943
The Tunisia Campaign, where the Allies definitively defeat the Axis forces in North Africa.