| January – February 1943 Axis Counterattacks in Tunisia |
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| German troops began arriving in Tunisia, another of France’s North
African colonies, on 9 November—only one day after the Anglo-American landings in Morocco and Algeria.
By the end of December the Germans had established a strong defensive position in Tunisia, and
had repulsed several Allied attacks. The arrival of Rommel’s forces from Libya gave the Axis much-needed
reinforcement, so that the Anglo-Americans faced a combined force of some 100,000 battle-hardened
German troops. On the other hand, while the British Eighth Army had plenty of combat experience,
most of the Americans who were advancing from Algeria had never come under enemy fire. The result
was a series of engagements, culminating in the Battle of Kasserine Pass (19 February), in which
the Axis outmaneuvered and outfought the inexperienced U.S. troops.
History: Campaign Maps: Personal Accounts: Photographs: |
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