There were many complex debates for different plans further complicated by Stalin’s insistence that the Allies should mount a

Operation Torch

Andrew L. Morton

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 Commander In Chief Eisenhower it was to strike in French Morocco and Algeria and later link up with Montgomery's Eighth Army. There were many complex debates for different plans further complicated by Stalin’s insistence that the Allies should mount a “second front in Europe to help provide relief from Hitler’s invasion of Russia. After the meetings and agreements, the Allies had a plan to take over the African coast of the Mediterranean and hopefully occupy North Africa along with the connivance of the Vichy French Government

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, Casablanca 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 reorganized 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 horrendous 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 through and it was not long before the offensive was abandoned.

It was at this point that the Allies realized that a reorganization 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. With the Mediterranean cleared, the transportation of troops as well as supplies was able to commence with less of a threat from enemy attack although still facing a threat from the east.

Creation Date - February 30th, 1990