Microsoft Close Combat manual 145

Chapter 7 The Big Picture: A Short History of World War II 145

On November 5, 1942, General Eisenhower arrives in Gibraltar to command Operation Torch. On November 8 three task forces begin landing troops in North Africa. The Western Task Force, commanded by General George Patton, lands on a 200-mile front between Safi and Port Lyautey. Within two days the Americans have secured their beachheads at Casablanca and Port Lyautey. The landing of the Center Task Force near Oran does not go well, but the task force establishes a secure beachhead and captures the airfield at Tafaraiu by nightfall; American- piloted Spitfires begin flying sorties from the airfield the next day. The Eastern Task Force lands at Algiers, and the town is quickly captured.

The Germans respond to Operation Torch by sending reinforcements to North Africa. By November 15, there are 10,000 German troops in Tunisia and 100 combat planes. The Germans use established French airfields with all-weather runways; the Allies must use temporary runways that are farther from the front.

As 1943 begins, the supply and manpower problems for the Axis forces in North Africa become acute because the U.S. has joined the fight. Without the presence of the Americans, the Germans would be facing only Montgomery. And the British troops in Operation Torch could have reached Montgomery only by running the gauntlet through German-held territory. With the Americans in the fray, the Germans are now badly outmanned and outgunned.

As the British Eighth Army continues to advance westward, the Germans evacuate large quantities of supplies out of Tripoli and demolish many of the port facilities. On January 26, after arguments with his nominal commanders (the Italians), Rommel is relieved of command. He is to be succeeded by General Messe of the Italian Army, but Rommel refuses to hand over command.

Axis forces mount a major attack against the US II Corps west of Faid. The attack begins only after Rommel argues over the plan of attack with his superiors; the Desert Fox wants to risk all to win all. However, Rommel’s superiors order a more conservative plan. Regardless, the attack smashes through the inexperienced Americans, destroying two-thirds of the First Armored Division. Rommel quickly requests permission to step up the attacks, but there is no quick decision from Berlin. When the attack does begin again on February 19, it is aimed at Le Kef at the insistence of the Italians. The attack on Le Kef is what the Allies expect, and the two passes leading there are well defended. The attacks near Sbiba are fought off by British and American units. But at Kasserine Pass, the Americans initially hold the Germans, then break in panic.

By early March, the Germans have consolidated enough forces to attack near Medenine. The attack is a failure. The Germans have little spirit left; in fact, the veteran British and New Zealand units cannot believe they are fighting the same foe that drove them back into Egypt. British antitank gunners destroy 50 German tanks, leaving Rommel with only 100.