January – February 1943
Axis Counterattacks in Tunisia
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:
Tunisia

Campaign Maps:
Tunisia, 1942
Central Tunisia, 1943

Personal Accounts:
Rutgers Oral History Archives of World War II: Interview with John T. Waters
Rutgers Oral History Archives of World War II: Interview with Franklyn A. Johnson
Rutgers Oral History Archives of World War II: Interview with Peter Logerfo

Photographs:
A formation of Spitfires on interception patrol over De Djerba Island, off Gabes, on their way to the Mareth Line area
The deadly marksmanship of the United States Army Air Force bombers is graphically illustrated in this picture just received from North Africa