How close did Erwin Rommel’s army get to Alexandria in 1942?

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By June 30, 1942, Erwin Rommel’s forces had advanced to the British defensive line at El-Alamein, which was approximately 60 miles (100 km) west of Alexandria.12

At this point, the German and Italian forces were intent on capturing the Suez Canal and overrunning Egypt. Although Rommel’s drive was halted during the First Battle of El-Alamein throughout July 1942, he remained within striking distance of Alexandria and the Nile delta for some time thereafter.132