This honour was awarded for participation in the offensive action that established the position around the rail siding at Tel el Eisa, north-west of Alamein, Egypt. Leaving from their start line Australian troops broke through the German and Italian line and followed the coast for several kilometres. The troops then swung south, inland towards Tel el Eisa, which was captured, and two other positions, East Point 24 and Trig 33. The fighting lasted for several days, during which time the Australians withstood a series of German armoured counter-attacks.