75 years ago today, the U.S. and Britain began their first ground offensive against Nazi Germany when they invaded northern Africa.
It was Nov. 8, 1942, and Operation Torch had a clear objective: Landing at three different sites in Morocco and Algeria, the Allies intended to swing east to capture Tunisia and consolidate a Nazi-Axis defeat in Africa. This would then allow the Allies to surround Axis forces in Europe on all sides.
Operation Torch began with Maj. Gen. George Patton’s forces landing and encircling Casablanca, Morocco. Unfortunately, Allied hopes that the French Axis forces would surrender were in vain. Facing heavy fire, inexperienced U.S. forces advanced under cover of their own courage and overwhelming air support. They would take Casablanca two days later.
At the other landing sites, Allied forces were aided by overwhelming naval gunfire and moved rapidly on to their objectives.
The Allies had two further factors in their favor. First, French resistance fighters in Algiers crippled French command and control capabilities and thus limited opportunities for an effective counter-offensive. This gave the Allies time to create strongholds at their landing sites.
Second, the Allies successfully co-opted the top French commander in North Africa, Francois Darlan, to end his resistance. In return for Darlan ordering French Axis forces to stand down, the Allies allowed him to remain him in command. The deal helped end the fighting after a couple of days, avoiding a prolonged battle.
Nevertheless, the ensuing Allied offensive into Tunisia was unsteady. Again reflecting their lack of experience in multinational operations and planning, the Allies struggled to retain the strategic initiative as Axis forces reorganized their defenses.
It wasn’t until May 1943, under adaptable commanders like Patton, that the Allies proved too much for the outnumbered Axis forces in North Africa. Tunisia was liberated and an invasion of Sicily was now on the cards.
