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Operation Torch (initially called Operation Gymnast) was the Anglo-American invasion of French North Africa in World War II during the North African Campaign, started November 8, 1942. Events 1519 - Hernán Cortés enters Tenochtitlán and Aztec ruler Moctezuma welcomes him with great a Celebration Events 1444 - Battle of Varna: The crusading forces of King Vladislaus III of Varna (aka Ulaszlo I of Hungary and Wladyslaw Year 1942 ( MCMXLII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Morocco (المغرب "al-Maghrib" officially the Kingdom of Morocco (المملكة المغربية is a country located in North Africa Algeria ( ar [[Arabic]] الجزائر, Al Jaza'ir ælʤæˈzæːʔir Amazigh: ⴷⵥⴰⵢⴻⵔ Dzayer) officially the People's The Free French Forces (Forces Françaises Libres FFL) were French fighters in World War II who decided to continue fighting against Axis forces The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Vichy France, or the Vichy regime are the common terms used to describe the government of France from July 1940 to August 1944 Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower (October 14 1890 – March 28 1969 was President of the United States from 1953 until 1961 and a five-star general Admiral of the Fleet Andrew Browne Cunningham 1st Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope, Bt, KT, GCB, OM, DSO (7 January François Darlan (7 August 1881 &ndash 24 December 1942 was a French Naval officer. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The United States of America —commonly referred to as the France was a dominant empire in the world from the 1600s to the late 1960s possessing many colonies in various locations around the world World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including During World War II, the North African Campaign, also known as the Desert War, took place in the North African desert from June 10, 1940 Events 1519 - Hernán Cortés enters Tenochtitlán and Aztec ruler Moctezuma welcomes him with great a Celebration Year 1942 ( MCMXLII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
The Soviet Union had pressed the United States and Britain to start operations in Europe, and open a second front to reduce the pressure of German forces on the Russian troops. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 Nazi Germany and the Third Reich are the common English names for Germany under the regime of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers The Red Army ( Russian: Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия R aboche- K rest'yanskaya K rasnaya A rmiya While the American commanders favored Operation Sledgehammer, landing in Occupied Europe as soon as possible, the British commanders believed that such a course would end in disaster. During World War II, Operation Sledgehammer was an Allied contingency plan for a limited-objective cross-channel invasion of Europe in response to a German An attack on French North Africa was proposed instead, which would clear the Axis Powers from North Africa, improve naval control of the Mediterranean Sea, and prepare an invasion of Southern Europe in 1943. The Axis powers also known as the Axis alliance Axis nations Axis countries or sometimes just the Axis were those Countries American President Franklin D. Roosevelt suspected the African operation would rule out an invasion of Europe in 1943 but agreed to support British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, FRS, PC, PC (Can ( 30 November 1874
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Background
The Allies planned an Anglo-American invasion of northwestern Africa — Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, territory nominally in the hands of the Vichy French government. The Allies of World War II were the countries officially opposed to the Axis powers during the Second World War. Morocco (المغرب "al-Maghrib" officially the Kingdom of Morocco (المملكة المغربية is a country located in North Africa Algeria ( ar [[Arabic]] الجزائر, Al Jaza'ir ælʤæˈzæːʔir Amazigh: ⴷⵥⴰⵢⴻⵔ Dzayer) officially the People's Tunisia (تونس Tūnis officially the Tunisian Republic ( is a country located in North Africa. Vichy France, or the Vichy regime are the common terms used to describe the government of France from July 1940 to August 1944 The Vichy French had around 125,000 soldiers in the territories as well as coastal artillery, 210 operational but out-of-date tanks and about 500 aircraft, half of which were Dewoitine D.520 fighters — equal to many British and U. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout S. fighter aircraft. [1] In addition, there were ten or so warships and 11 submarines at Casablanca. Casablanca (in Standard Arabic: الدار البيضاء ad-Dār al-Bayḍāʼ; Moroccan Arabic: dar beïda الدار البيضا The Allies believed that the Vichy French forces would not fight, partly because of information supplied by American Consul Robert Daniel Murphy in Algiers. Consul (abbrev cos; Latin plural consules) was the highest elected office of the Roman Republic and an appointive office under the Empire Robert Daniel Murphy (1894&ndash1978 was an American Diplomat. Algiers (الجزائر Algerian Arabic: Dzayer ( (From kabyle pronunciation Kabyle: Ledzayer, Alger) is the Capital and largest However they harboured suspicions that the Vichy French navy would bear a grudge over the British action at Mers-el-Kebir in 1940. The Attack on Mers-el-Kébir, also known as Operation Catapult, was a hostile engagement off the coast of French Algeria where a British Royal Navy An assessment of the sympathies of the French forces in North Africa was essential, and plans were made to secure their cooperation, rather than resistance. The Allies intended to advance rapidly eastwards into Tunisia and attack the German forces in the rear. Tunisia (تونس Tūnis officially the Tunisian Republic ( is a country located in North Africa. General Dwight D. Eisenhower was given command of the operation, and he set up his headquarters in Gibraltar. Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower (October 14 1890 – March 28 1969 was President of the United States from 1953 until 1961 and a five-star general Gibraltar (dʒɨˈbrɒltər is a British overseas territory located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar The Allied Naval Commander of the Expeditionary Force would be Sir Andrew Cunningham; his deputy was Vice-Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay; who would plan the landing effort. Admiral of the Fleet Andrew Browne Cunningham 1st Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope, Bt, KT, GCB, OM, DSO (7 January Vice Admiral is a naval rank equivalent to Lieutenant General in seniority Admiral Sir Bertram Home Ramsay KCB, KBE, MVO ( January 20, 1883 - January 2, 1945) was a British
Preliminary contact
To gauge the feeling of the Vichy French forces, Murphy was appointed to the American consulate in Algeria. His covert mission was to determine the mood of the French forces and to make contact with elements that might support an Allied invasion. He succeeded in contacting several French officers, including General Charles Emmanuel Mast, the French commander-in-chief in Algiers. These officers were willing to support the Allies, but asked for a clandestine conference with a senior Allied General in Algeria. Major-General Mark W. Clark, one of Eisenhower's senior commanders, was dispatched to Cherchell in Algeria aboard HMS Seraph, a submarine, and met with these Vichy French officers on 21 October 1942. Major General or Major-General is a Military rank used in many countries Mark Wayne Clark ( May 1, 1896 – April 17, 1984) was an American general during World War II and the Korean War Cherchell (older Cherchel) is a seaport town in the Province of Tipaza, Algeria, 55 Miles West of Algiers. Operation Flagpole See also Operation Flagpole Seraph first saw action in support of Operation Torch, the Allied landings in North Events 1512 - Martin Luther joins the theological faculty of the University of Wittenberg. Year 1942 ( MCMXLII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
The Allies also succeeded, with resistance help, in slipping French General Henri Giraud out of Vichy France on Seraph, intending to offer him the post of commander in chief of French forces in North Africa after the invasion. Henri Honoré Giraud ( 18 January 1879 &ndash 13 March 1949) was a French general who fought in World War I and World However, Giraud would take no position lower than commander in chief of all the invading forces, a job already given to Eisenhower. When he was refused, he decided to remain "a spectator in this affair. "
Battle
The Allies planned a three-pronged amphibious landing to seize the key ports and airports of Morocco and Algeria simultaneously, targeting Casablanca, Oran and Algiers. Casablanca (in Standard Arabic: الدار البيضاء ad-Dār al-Bayḍāʼ; Moroccan Arabic: dar beïda الدار البيضا Oran ( Arabic:ar وهران pronounced Wahran; also transliterated as Ouahran, Spanish: Orán. Successful completion of these operations was to be followed by an advance eastwards into Tunisia.
The Western Task Force (aimed at Casablanca) comprised American units, with Major General George Patton in command and Rear Admiral Henry K. Hewitt heading the naval operations. Major General or Major-General is a Military rank used in many countries For the 19th century Scottish jurist/politician see George Patton Lord Glenalmond. Rear admiral is a Naval Commissioned officer rank above that of a Commodore and Captain, and below that of a Vice Admiral. Henry Kent Hewitt (1887-1972 was born in Hackensack, New Jersey on February 11, 1887 and graduated from the U This Western Task Force consisted of the U.S. 2nd Armored Division, the U.S. 3rd and 9th Infantry Divisions—35,000 troops in all. The 2nd Armored Division of the United States Army &mdashnicknamed Hell On Wheels &mdash played an important role during World War II in the invasions The 3rd Infantry Division &mdashnicknamed the Rock of the Marne &mdash is a United States Army infantry division based at Fort Stewart, The 9th Infantry Division was an important unit of the United States Army in World War II and the Vietnam War. The Infantry is the oldest and most numerous of the Combat Arms in the Armed forces, and consists A division is a large Military unit or formation usually consisting of around ten to thirty thousand soldiers They were transported directly from the United States.
The Center Task Force, aimed at Oran, included the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, and the 1st Armored Division—18,500 troops. During World War II, the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion ( 509th PIB) was the first combat Paratrooper unit of the United States Army. The 1st Infantry Division of the United States Army &mdashnicknamed “ The Big Red One ” after its Shoulder patch; and also nicknamed " The Fighting The 1st Armored Division &mdashnicknamed “ Old Ironsides ”&mdash is a standing armored division of the United States Army with base of operations They sailed from Britain and were commanded by Major-General Lloyd Fredendall, the naval forces being commanded by Commodore Thomas Troubridge. Major General or Major-General is a Military rank used in many countries Lloyd Fredendall ( December 28, 1883 - October 4, 1963) was an American General during World War II. Commodore is a Military rank used in many navies for officers whose position exceeds that of a navy captain, but is less than Sir Thomas Troubridge 1st Baronet (c 1758&ndash 1 February 1807) was a British naval commander and politician
The Eastern Task force, aimed at Algiers, was commanded by Lieutenant-General Kenneth Anderson and consisted of two brigades from British 78th and the US 34th Infantry Divisions and two British Commando units - 20,000 troops. Lieutenant General is a Military rank used in many countries The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the General Sir Kenneth Arthur Noel Anderson, KCB, MC, ( December 25, 1891 - April 29, 1959) was a British Army The British 78th Infantry Division, also known as the Battleaxe Division, fought in the Second World War in North Africa and Italy. The 34th Infantry Division is an Army division of the United States National Guard that participated in World War I, World War II During the period of the amphibious landings the force was to be commanded by U. S. Major-General Charles W. Ryder, commander of 34th Division, because it was felt that a U. Charles Wolcott Ryder ( January 16, 1892 – August 17, 1960) during World War II, was a U S. -led invasion would be more acceptable to the French defenders than a one led by the British. Naval forces were commanded by Vice-Admiral Sir Harold Burrough. Vice Admiral is a naval rank equivalent to Lieutenant General in seniority Sir Harold Martin Burrough GCB, KBE, DSO ( 4 July 1889 - 22 October 1977) was a British Admiral
Aerial operations were split into two, east of Cape Tenez in Algeria, with British aircraft under Air Marshal Sir William Welsh and west of Cape Tenez, all American aircraft under Major General Jimmy Doolittle, under the direct command of General Patton. This article is about the air force rank Air marshal (or Sky marshal) is also the term given to federal security agents who travel undercover aboard commercial Air Marshal Sir William Lawrie Welsh ( February 10, 1891 - January 2, 1962) was a British Royal Air Force officer who commanded General James Harold "Jimmy" Doolittle USAF (14 December 1896 &ndash 27 September 1993 was an American Aviation pioneer
Casablanca
The Western Task Force landed before daybreak on 8 November 1942, at three points: Safi, Morocco (Operation Blackstone), Fedala, Morocco (Operation Brushwood), and Mehdiya-Port Lyautey, Morocco (Operation Goalpost). Events 1519 - Hernán Cortés enters Tenochtitlán and Aztec ruler Moctezuma welcomes him with great a Celebration Year 1942 ( MCMXLII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Safi (Safi آسفي is a city in western Morocco on the Atlantic Ocean. Operation Blackstone was a part of Operation Torch, Allied landings in Africa during World War II. Mohammédia (also called Fedhala (in Arabic المحمدية is a port city located 15 miles northeast of Casablanca in western Morocco. Operation Brushwood was a part of Operation Torch, Allied landings in Africa during World War II. Kenitra ( Arabic name القنيطرة, transliterated: Al-Qonaitirah, the little bridge) is a city in Morocco, formerly Operation Torch (initially called Operation Gymnast) was the British - American invasion of French North Africa in World War II Because it was hoped that the Vichy French would not resist, there was no preliminary bombardment.
During the previous night, a coup attempt had been made by French General Bethouard, whose forces surrounded the villa of pro-Vichy General Auguste Paul Nogues. However, Nogues managed to telephone nearby Vichy forces which prevented his capture. In addition, the coup attempt alerted Nogues to the likelihood of an impending Allied amphibious invasion, and he immediately bolstered Vichy coastal defenses.
At Safi, Morocco, the landings were mostly successful. The landings were initially conducted without covering fire, hoping that the French might not resist at all. However, once the Allied transports were fired on by Vichy coastal batteries, the Allied ships returned fire. By the time Allied commanding General Harmon arrived, French snipers had pinned the assault troops (most of whom were in combat for the first time) on Safi's beaches. Most of the landings occurred behind schedule; air support from the carriers destroyed a French convoy of trucks intended to reinforce the defenses. Safi surrendered on the afternoon of 8 November. Events 1519 - Hernán Cortés enters Tenochtitlán and Aztec ruler Moctezuma welcomes him with great a Celebration By 10 November, the remaining defenders were pinned down, and the bulk of Harmon's forces raced to join the siege of Casablanca. Events 1444 - Battle of Varna: The crusading forces of King Vladislaus III of Varna (aka Ulaszlo I of Hungary and Wladyslaw
Around Port-Lyautey, Morocco, the landing troops were uncertain of their position, and the second wave was delayed. Landing is a military operation aimed at a bringing the landing force ( landing troops) to a shore or to land with the purpose of power projection ashore/landside This gave the Vichy defenders time to organize resistance, and the remaining landings were conducted under artillery bombardment. With the assistance of air support from the carriers, the troops pushed ahead, and the objectives were captured.
Around Fedala, Morocco (the largest landing with 19,000 men), weather disrupted the landings. The landing beaches again came under Vichy fire after daybreak. U. S. General Patton landed at 08:00, and the beachheads were secured later in the day. Beachhead is a Military term used to describe the line created when a unit (by sea reaches a beach and begins to defend that area of beach while other reinforcements (it The Americans surrounded the port of Casablanca by 10 November, and the city surrendered an hour before the final assault was due to take place. Events 1444 - Battle of Varna: The crusading forces of King Vladislaus III of Varna (aka Ulaszlo I of Hungary and Wladyslaw
In general, Vichy French resistance in Morocco (apart from the coastal batteries) was sporadic. A strong squadron of the Vichy French navy at Casablanca, including the unfinished battleship Jean Bart, along with numerous cruisers and destroyers, made a sortie to oppose the landings but was defeated by superior firepower. Pictures Many French ships were lost, mainly running aground, and those that survived joined the Allies. Two Americans destroyers were damaged.
Oran
The Center Task Force was split between three beaches, two west of Oran and one east. Landings at the westernmost beach were delayed because of a French convoy which appeared while the minesweepers were clearing a path. Some delay and confusion, and damage to landing ships, was caused by the unexpected shallowness of water and sandbars; although periscope observations had been carried out, no reconnaissance parties had been landed on the beaches to determine local conditions. This was in contrast to later amphibious assaults, such as Operation Overlord, in which considerable weight was given to pre-invasion reconnaissance. Operation Overlord was the code name for the invasion of northwest Europe during World War II by Allied forces
The U. S. 1st Ranger Battalion landed east of Oran and quickly captured the shore battery at Arzew. The 1st Ranger Battalion was formed upon America's entry into World War II. Arzew (أرزيو is a port city in Algeria, 22 miles from Oran. An attempt was made to land U. S. infantry at the harbour directly, in order to quickly prevent destruction of the port facilities and scuttling of ships. The operation, code named Operation Reservist, failed as the two destroyers were shattered by crossfire from the French vessels there. Operation Reservist was an Allied military operation during World War II. The French Navy broke from the harbour and attacked the Allied invasion fleet but were sunk or driven ashore.
French batteries and the invasion fleet exchanged fire throughout 8 November and 9 November, with French troops defending Oran and the surrounding area stubbornly. Events 1519 - Hernán Cortés enters Tenochtitlán and Aztec ruler Moctezuma welcomes him with great a Celebration Events 694 - Egica, a king of the Visigoths of Hispania, accuses Jews of aiding Muslims sentencing all Heavy fire from the British battleships brought about the surrender on 9 November. Events 694 - Egica, a king of the Visigoths of Hispania, accuses Jews of aiding Muslims sentencing all
Airborne landings
Torch was the first major airborne assault carried out by the United States in World War II. The U. S. 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion flew all the way from Britain, over Spain, intending to drop near Oran and capture airfields at Tafarquay and Youk-Les-Bains. During World War II, the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion ( 509th PIB) was the first combat Paratrooper unit of the United States Army. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. The drop was marked by navigational and communication problems with French forces on the ground, and the extreme range forced several aircraft to land in the desert. Nevertheless, both airports were captured, despite the 509th being widely scattered.
Algiers
Resistance and coup
As agreed at Cherchell, starting at midnight and continuing through the early hours of 8 November, as the invasion troops were approaching the shore, a group of 400 French resistance under the command of Henri d'Astier de La Vigerie and José Aboulker staged a coup in the city of Algiers. Events 1519 - Hernán Cortés enters Tenochtitlán and Aztec ruler Moctezuma welcomes him with great a Celebration Henri d'Astier de la Vigerie ( 11 September 1897 - 10 October 1952) was a French soldier ''Résistance'' member and conservative José Aboulker (b March 5, 1920) was a member of the anti- Nazi resistance who co-founded a resistance network in Algiers in World War II They seized key targets, including the telephone exchange, radio station, governor's house and the headquarters of 19th Corps.
Robert Murphy then drove to the residence of General Alphonse Juin, the senior French Army officer in North Africa, with some resistance fighters. Alphonse Pierre Juin ( 16 December 1888 &ndash 27 January 1967) was a Marshal of France. While the resistance surrounded the house, making Juin effectively a prisoner, Murphy attempted to persuade him to side with the Allies. However he was treated to a surprise: Admiral François Darlan, the commander of all Vichy French forces, was in Algiers on a private visit. François Darlan (7 August 1881 &ndash 24 December 1942 was a French Naval officer. Juin insisted on contacting Darlan, and Murphy was unable to persuade either to side with the Allies. In the early morning the Vichy Gendarmerie arrived and released Juin and Darlan.
Invasion
The invasion was led by the U. S. 34th Infantry with one brigade of the British 78th, the other acting as reserve. Major-General Charles W. Ryder, commander of the 34th, was given explicit command of the first wave, since it was believed that the French would react more favourably to an American commander than a British one. Charles Wolcott Ryder ( January 16, 1892 – August 17, 1960) during World War II, was a U The landings were split between three beaches—two west of Algiers and one east. Some landings went to the wrong beaches, but this was immaterial since there was practically no French opposition; coastal batteries had been neutralized by French resistance. One French commander openly welcomed the Allies.
The only fighting took place in the port of Algiers itself, where in Operation Terminal two British destroyers attempted to land a party of U. Operation Terminal was an Allied operation during World War II. S. Rangers directly onto the dock, in order to prevent the French destroying port facilities and scuttling ships. Heavy artillery fire prevented one from landing, and drove the other from the docks after a few hours, leaving 250 of the infantry behind.
The landing troops pushed quickly inland; General Juin surrendered the city to the Allies at 18:00.
Aftermath
Political results
It quickly became clear that Henri Giraud lacked the authority to take command of the French forces. Moreover, he preferred to wait in Gibraltar for the result of the landing. Eisenhower, with the support of Roosevelt and Churchill, therefore made agreements with Admiral François Darlan that he would be given control if he joined the Allied side. François Darlan (7 August 1881 &ndash 24 December 1942 was a French Naval officer. This meant the Vichy regime was maintained in North Africa, with its Hitlerian laws and concentration camps for opponents. Internment is the imprisonment or confinement of people commonly in large groups without trial Consequently, Charles de Gaulle of the Free French, French resistants, along with Allied war correspondents, all responded with fury. Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle ( ( 22 November 1890 – 9 November 1970) was a French General and statesman who led the Free French The Free French Forces (Forces Françaises Libres FFL) were French fighters in World War II who decided to continue fighting against Axis forces The problem did not vanish when a local French anti-Nazi, Ferdinand Bonnier de la Chapelle, murdered Darlan on December 24, 1942: Giraud was then installed in his place. Events 563 - The Byzantine church Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is dedicated for the second time after being destroyed by Earthquakes Year 1942 ( MCMXLII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. He maintained the Vichy regime and arrested the Algiers resistance leaders of 8 November, without any opposition from Murphy. Events 1519 - Hernán Cortés enters Tenochtitlán and Aztec ruler Moctezuma welcomes him with great a Celebration
When Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini found out what Admiral Darlan intended to do, they immediately ordered the occupation of Vichy France and reinforced Axis forces in Africa. Hi and welcome to Wikipedia! Please understand that this article is frequently vandalized and vandalism is reverted immediately During World War II the German authorities codenamed the occupation of Vichy France Case (or Operation) Anton. The German Afrikakorps ( German: Deutsches Afrikakorps DAK) was the original German blocking force (Sperrverband = Armored Blocking Force in Libya
The Darlan-Giraud authority, initially resolutely Vichyist, was gradually forced to take part in the war effort against Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, to democratize, to eliminate its principal head Vichyist rulers, and to eventually merge with the French national Committee of London. Months later, the "Comité Français de la Libération Nationale" (CFLN) born from this fusion passed under the authority of General de Gaulle (despite opposition from President Roosevelt), becoming the U. S. - and British-recognized government of France.
Military consequences
As a result of the German and Italian occupation of Vichy France and their unsuccessful attempt to capture the interned French fleet at Toulon (Operation Lila), the French Armée d’Afrique sided with the Allies, providing a third corps (XIX Corps) for Anderson. The Tunisia Campaign (also known as the Battle of Tunisia was a series of World War II battles that took place in Tunisia in the North African Campaign The French fleet in Toulon was Scuttled on 27 November 1942 on the order of the Admiralty of Vichy France to avoid capture by The Army of Africa (Armée d’Afrique was an unofficial but commonly used term for those portions of the French Army recruited from or normally stationed in French North Africa The French XIX Corps was formed in 1873 Anthony Clayton writes that the title of the 19th Army Corps (19e Corps d'Armee was given to the Army of Africa (Fr Armée d'Afrique Elsewhere, French warships, such as the battleship Richelieu, rejoined the Allies. Design Derived from the ''Dunkerque'' class Richelieu and ''Jean Bart'', as well as the unfinished Clemenceau and Gascogne,
On 9 November Axis forces started to build up in Tunisia unopposed by the local French forces under General Barré. Events 694 - Egica, a king of the Visigoths of Hispania, accuses Jews of aiding Muslims sentencing all Wracked with indecision Barré moved his troops into the hills and formed a defensive line from Teboursouk through Medjez el Bab and ordered that anyone trying to pass through the line should be shot. On 19 November the German commander, Walter Nehring demanded passage for his troops across the bridge at Medjez and was refused. Events 1095 - The Council of Clermont, called by Pope Urban II to discuss sending the First Crusade to the Holy Land Walter Nehring ( August 15, 1892 - April 20, 1983) was a German General of World War II, known for his involvement The Germans attacked the poorly equipped French units twice and were driven back. However, the French had taken heavy casualties and lacking artillery and armour, Barré was forced to withdraw. [2]
After consolidating in Algeria, the Allies struck into Tunisia. The Tunisia Campaign (also known as the Battle of Tunisia was a series of World War II battles that took place in Tunisia in the North African Campaign Forces in the British 1st Army under Lieutenant General Kenneth Anderson almost reached Tunis before a counterattack at Djedeida thrust them back. The First Army was a field army of the British Army that existed during the First and Second World Wars First World War Tunis ( Arabic: تونس Tūnis) is the Capital of the Tunisian Republic and also the Tunis In January 1943, German and Italian troops under General Erwin Rommel retreating westwards from Libya reached Tunisia. Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel ( ( 15 November 1891 – 14 October 1944) (also known as the " Desert Fox " Wüstenfuchs Libya ( ليبيا ar-Latn Lībiyā; Libyan vernacular: Lībya; Amazigh:) officially the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab
The British 8th Army in the East, commanded by General Bernard Montgomery, stopped around Tripoli to allow reinforcements to arrive and build up the Allied advantage. The Eighth Army was one of the best-known formations in World War II, fighting in the North African and Italian campaigns It was a British Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, KG, GCB, DSO, PC, (məntˈgʌmərɪ əv ˈæləmeɪn Tripolis ( Arabic: طرابلس Ṭarābulus - also طرابلس الغرب Ṭarā-bu-lus al-Gharb Libyan vernacular: In the West the forces of General Anderson came under attack in February at Faïd Pass on 14 January and at Kasserine Pass on 19 January. Events 1129 - Formal approval of the Order of the Templar at the Council of Troyes. The Battle of Kasserine Pass took place in World War II during the Tunisia Campaign. Events 1419 - Hundred Years' War: Rouen surrenders to Henry V of England completing his reconquest of Normandy. The Allied forces retreated in disarray until heavy Allied reinforcements blunted the Axis advance on 22 January. Events 565 - Eutychius is deposed as Patriarch of Constantinople by John Scholasticus.
General Harold Alexander arrived in Tunisia in late February to take charge of the new 12th Army Group headquarters which had been created to take overall control of both the Eighth Army and the Allied forces already fighting in Tunisia. Field Marshal Harold Rupert Leofric George Alexander 1st Earl Alexander of Tunis KG OM GCB GCMG CSI DSO The Axis forces attacked again in March, eastwards at Medenine on 6 March but were easily repulsed by Eighth Army. Operation Capri was a Nazi German counter-attack at Medenine, Tunisia, intended to disrupt and delay the 8th Army 's attack on the Mareth Events 1079 - Omar Khayyám completes the Iranian calendar. 1454 - Thirteen Years' War: Delegates of Rommel counselled Hitler to allow a full retreat to a defensible line but was denied, and on 9 March Rommel left Tunisia to be replaced by Jürgen von Arnim, who had to spread his forces over 100 miles (160 km) of northern Tunisia. Events 590 - Bahram Chobin is crowned as king Barham VI of Persia. Hans-Jürgen von Arnim ( 4 April, 1889 &ndash 1 September, 1962) was a German Colonel-general of Cavalry
The setbacks at Kasserine forced the Allies to consolidate their forces and develop their lines of communication and administration so that they could support a major attack. The 1st Army and the 8th Army then attacked the Axis in April. Hard fighting followed, but the Allies cut off the Germans and Italians from support by naval and air forces between Tunisia and Sicily. Sicily ( Italian and Sicilian: Sicilia) is an autonomous region of Italy. On 6 May, as the culmination of Operation Vulcan, the British took Tunis, and American forces reached Bizerte. Events 1527 - Spanish and German troops sack Rome; some consider this the end of the Renaissance. During World War II, Operation Vulcan was the final ground attack against German forces in Tunis, Cap Bon, and Bizerte, Tunisia Bizerte or Bizerta ( Arabic: بنزرت transliterated: Banzart Italian Biserta) is a capital city of Bizerte Governorate in Tunisia By 13 May the Axis forces in Tunisia had surrendered. Events 1497 - Pope Alexander VI excommunicates Girolamo Savonarola.
Other
Place 8th November 1942 in Paris is named in celebration of the events that took place on this day.
See also
References
War Official reports
- Les Cahiers Français, La part de la Résistance Française dans les évènements d'Afrique du Nord (Official reports of French Resistance Group leaders who seized Algiers on 8 November 1942, to allow allied landing), Commissariat à l'Information of Free French Comité National, London, Aug. Mieczysław Zygfryd Słowikowski ( Jazgarzew, near Warsaw, 1896–1989 London) also known as " Rygor-Słowikowski," was a Polish Maiden voyage SS Mooltan set off on her Maiden voyage on 5 October 1923. - Africa See also List of North African Campaign Battles Western Front Battle of the Bulge Events 1519 - Hernán Cortés enters Tenochtitlán and Aztec ruler Moctezuma welcomes him with great a Celebration Year 1942 ( MCMXLII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. 1943.
War correspondent report
- Melvin K. Whiteleather, Main street's new neighbors, J. B. Lippincott Co. , Philadelphia, 1945.
Academic work
- Anderson, Charles R. (1990?). Algeria-French Morocco 8 November 1942-11 November 1942, CMH Online bookshelves: WWII Campaigns. Washington: US Army Center of Military History. CMH Pub 72-11.
- Aboulker, Professeur José; Levisse-Touzé, Christine (2002). "8 novembre 1942 : Les armées américaine et anglaise prennent Alger en quinze heures" (in French). Espoir (n° 133).
- Breuer, William B. (1985). Operation Torch: The Allied Gamble to Invade North Africa. New York: St. Martins Press.
- Danan, Professeur Yves Maxime (1963). La vie politique à Alger de 1940 à 1944 (in French). Paris: L. G. D. J. .
- Funk, Arthur L. (1974). The politics of Torch. University Press of Kansas.
- Howe, George F. [1957] (1991). North West Africa: Seizing the initiative in the West, CMH Online bookshelves. Washington: US Army Center of Military History. CMH Pub 6-1.
- Levisse-Touzé, Christine (1998). L'Afrique du Nord dans la guerre, 1939-1945 (in French). Paris: Albin Michel.
- Meyer, Leo J. [1960] (2000). "Chapter 7: The Decision To Invade North Africa (TORCH)", in Greenfield, Kent Roberts: Command Decisions, CMH Online bookshelves. Washington: US Army Center of Military History. CMH Pub 72-7.
- Michel, Henri (1993). Darlan. Paris: Hachette.
- Moses, Sam (Nov. 2006). At All Costs; How a Crippled Ship and Two American Merchant Mariners Turned the Tide of World War II. Random House.
- Watson, Bruce Allen [1999] (2007). Exit Rommel: The Tunisian Campaign, 1942-43, Stackpole Military History Series. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-3381-6.
General
- Rick Atkinson, An Army at Dawn, Henry Holt, 2002 (ISBN 0-8050-6288-2). Rick Atkinson (born 1952 in Munich) is an American Journalist and Author whose contributions led to four Pulitzer Prizes Atkinson
Footnotes
External links
- The Decision To Invade North Africa (TORCH)
- US Army history of the operation
- A detailed history of 8th November 1942
- Combined Ops
- USS Augusta (CA-31) - Flagship of Operation Torch (Western Naval Task Force)
- The accord Franco-Américan of Messelmoun (in French)
- Operation TORCH Planning Exercise by Stephen Sledge (Very detailed)
- Royal Engineers Museum Royal Engineers and Second World War (Operation Torch)
- Report of the Commander-in-Chief Allied Forces to the Combined Chief of Staff on Operations in North Africa
- Operation Torch: Allied Invasion of North Africa article by Williamson Murray
- Eisenhower's report on operation Torch
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