Alamein

During WW2, pipers were used by the 51st Highland Division at the start of the Battle of El Alamein in October 1942.

Maj Shand had served in the regiment and won the Military Cross during the retreat to Dunkirk in 1940 and again at El Alamein in North Africa in 1942.

The two discussed President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's offer to mediate the conflict during a short meeting in the coastal city of El Alamein, an initiative Burhan said he welcomed, according to an Egyptian presidency statement.

In brief comments from El Alamein, Burhan said he wanted to end the war, but did not mention the possibility of talks.

It was a critical decision, for, as they were all to later learn, the 300 Shermans arrived in time to play a big part in the later British victory at El Alamein.