- The Anglo-American Landings In North Africa - 8th November 1942

The objectives of Operation Torch were to secure French North Africa and then strike Eastwards and take Rommel's German Italian Panzer Army in the rear.¹ With 65,000 Allied troops and around 650 Warships under the overall command of Comander In Chief Eisenhower it was to strike in French Morocco and Algeria and later link up with Montgomery's Eighth Army.

The landings initially went well, achieving complete strategic surprise and with the resistance that was given by the French Forces only being short lived. Oran, Cassablanca and Algiers were the main landing points whilst the ports Bougie and Bone were soon occupied by Paratroopers. The Axis forces knowing the seriousness of the situation poured over 17,000 Axis troops into Tunisia via Air and Sea and reorganised them under the command of General Arnim and formed the 5th Panzer Army with the 10th Panzer Division as its main striking force. Arnim and Rommel held out against the Allied attacks and after launching the offensive Eilbote and Rommel's attack at The Kasserine Pass the Axis forces were in a position to inflict a hurrendous blow upon the Allies, but this opportunity was missed due to the Italian High Command (Commando Supremo) blocking Rommels plans to attack at the Allies weak point and secure strategically important high ground. Instead Rommel was ordered to attack nearer the coast, where Allied reinforcements were coming throug and it was not long before the offensive was abandoned.

US troops landing in North Africa during operation Torch and the Commander In Chief Geberal Eisenhower.

It was at this point that the Allies realised that a reorganisation was needed as divisions were acting on their own initiative without an overall master plan. National sectors were introduced and French divisions were re-equipped. The initiative was with the Allies once again and with the blockade of the Tunisian ports strangling the Axis forces of supplies and new equipment (See Supplies) the outcome of the campaign was slowly but surely coming to an end.

Supplies

Diverted and Committed Troops

Weapons In North Africa

Commanders and their tactics

High Command Disputes And Interference

Concluding thoughts on the North African Campaign

Back to the start

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