According to Article VII, the pact was to last 10 years, but this did not happen.[8] In November 1942, the Axis forces in North Africa, led by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, were decisively defeated by the British and British Commonwealth forces at the Second Battle of El Alamein.[13] In July 1943 the Western Allies opened up a new front by invading Sicily.[13] In the aftermath of this, Mussolini was overthrown by 19 members of the Gran Consiglio who voted in favour of the Ordine Grandi.