North African Campaign Part #9 🎙️ Rommel's Last Victory at the Kasserine Pass

The Pacific War Channel Podcast

Craig and Gaurav cover the Race to Tunisia and Battle of Kasserine Pass during the North Africa Campaign

In November 1942, following the Darlan Deal, Hitler ordered the occupation of Vichy France and Corsica. Resistance was minimal, but in Toulon, the French scuttled their fleet, destroying 77 ships to prevent Axis capture. In Tunisia, Axis forces established beachheads, while Allies, led by British Lt. Gen. Kenneth Anderson, pushed to preempt Axis reinforcements. The Allies advanced through strategic ports and airfields, engaging in intense skirmishes but facing stiff Axis resistance and Luftwaffe attacks.

The Allies eventually stalled in battles like Djedeida, suffering losses from Tiger tanks and counterattacks by German Panzers. By December, fresh reinforcements on both sides set the stage for further battles. With Field Marshal Rommel’s forces now retreating from Tripoli, Axis troops launched offensives like Operation Eilbote I, aiming to safeguard supply lines and control strategic passes, while the Allies regrouped and reinforced.

In February 1943, the Axis offensive culminated in the Battle of Kasserine Pass. Axis forces, bolstered by German and Italian units, launched devastating assaults, routing the Allies and inflicting heavy losses in men and equipment. U.S. forces, notably unprepared, struggled to contain the attack but managed a defensive line near Thala and Tébessa with British assistance.

The Kasserine debacle underscored Allied command failures, leading Eisenhower to restructure leadership. Generals Alexander and Patton assumed control, initiating reforms that set the Allies on a path to eventual success in North Africa.