Torch

European Strategy and North Africa, 1942: 

European Strategy and North Africa, 1942 NVSC 410

Learning Objectives: 

Learning Objectives Comprehend Allied strategic considerations for the conduct of WW2 in Europe Explain the objectives, planning and conduct of the amphibious invasion of North Africa Explain tactical and technical developments in the Africa landings Explain the significance of Operation Torch and the lessons learned

Strategic : 

Strategic WW1 vs. WW2 Arcadia conference: Germany first US: direct approach Sledgehammer in 1942 Roundup in 1943 British: peripheral Germany too strong for direct assault Allies unprepared (US)

Strategic(cont.): 

Strategic (cont.) Russians desperate for 2nd front North Africa It’s French US leadership

Slide7: 

Strategic (cont.) Draw Germans from western Europe Save shipping long way around Satisfy 2nd front (weak) Drive Rommel out of North Africa Main strategic objective in Africa: Tunis

Operational: 

Operational Operational objective is Tunis Planning Considerations Where to land? Casablanca Oran Algiers Bone

Deployment: 

Deployment Western Naval task Force deployed directly from Norfolk 23 Oct Ranger Air group from Bermuda, rendzvs 28 Oct 2 unreps enroute Surprise: over 1000 mi of coastline Axis unsure where Allies will land only lightly opposed Effective Cooperation - US & Britain

Tactical Considerations: 

Tactical Considerations LC crews had less than 2 months of training 3 Army divisions train with Marines prior No rehearsals Landings take place on flank of objective, then envelop Land at night, no NGFS

Western Task Force: 

Western Task Force Safi Fedala Mehdia 8 NOV 1942 Casablanca Ground Force -MG Patten - 35,000 US Troops Naval Forces - Radm Hewitt Southern Group Radm Davidson Center Group CPT Emmet Northern Group Embarked from Norfolk Port Lyautey Radm Kelly General Truscott

Slide13: 

Safi - located 150 miles southwest of Casablanca. The Allies needed this port because it was the only place to unload tanks other than Casablanca, as no LST had been completed in time for this operation. The southern task force executed its mission as planned and secured the objective Ranger - From 0615 that morning, the Navy’s carrierbased aircraft began to fight. Ranger’s Wildcats destroyed grounded planes at the three principal French airdromes in Morocco - while her dive-bombers hit the submarine basin in Casablanca harbor. Casablanca - General Patton’s staff had drawn plans for an all-out assault on Casablanca on D + 2 or 11 November. But at 110700 November, 15 min before the attack was suppose to begin, the French Army commander sent Patton a flag of truce. There was no surrender, merely a cease-fire which developed into full cooperation between Allied and French authorities, military and civilian.

Central Task Force: 

Central Task Force Oran Spanish Morocco Ground Forces - MG Fredendall - 39,000 American Soldiers Naval Forces - Commodore Thomas Troubridge RN Royal Navy Sailed from England 8 NOV 1942

Eastern Task Force: 

Eastern Task Force Algiers Ground Forces - MG Ryder - 10,000 US Soldiers LTG Sir Kenneth Anderson - 23,000 British Soldiers Naval Forces - Radm Sir Harold Burrough RN Royal Navy Sailed from England 8 NOV 1942

Technical Considerations: 

Technical Considerations LST proven at Oran Pressing need for big beaching craft - LST, LCT, and LCI Higgins Boat Inadequate

Significance: 

Significance First Allied ground offensive in ETO Valuable strategic success, training, lessons Navy vs. Army point of view Lessons learned LC crew training LC navigation LF commanders comm beach traffic management