Thread by @usacac

BATTLE OF KASSERINE PASS

On Tuesday we talked about the Battle of Sidi Bou Zid, and that thread also served as a primer for the third episode of the accompanying #WhyWeFight1943 podcast.

“In their January attacks Axis units puzzled Allied commanders by limiting their own advances and abandoning key positions. Soon, however, the enemy displayed more determination.”

The Battle of Sidi Bou Zid took place 14 to 17 FEB 1943. A couple weeks prior, the Axis forces had taken Faid Pass (30 JAN 1943), a position which was mostly held by the French XIX Corps. Allied leadership responded too slowly to help.

“Following their recent feints further North, the German Panzers took a sharp crack at the Allied south flank, in an all-out attack against the FAID PASS...”

“This was in exact accordance with the G-2 Intelligence Estimate, previously submitted by the G-2 of the American II Corps.”

“Combat Command ‘A’ and Combat Command ‘C’ (of the American @1stArmoredDiv) then located in the SIDI BOU ZID area (10 miles west of the FAID PASS) caught the brunt of the German breakthrough attack.”

“Out-maneuvered, out-numbered, and out-gunned by the German Panzer Divisions, they were badly mauled and lost 54 tanks in this engagement.”

“A side swipe by these on-rushing German Panzers also overran the 168th Infantry Regiment of the American 34th Infantry Division...” @TheRedBulls @RedBullCG

“It then became necessary for the American II Corps to take immediate steps to protect the mountain passes through SBEITLA and KASSERINE, and the passes west thereof, leading north to TEBESSA.” Tebessa is where Fredendall had set up his II Corps Headquarters.

After inflicting heavy losses on the Allied (American) forces at Sidi Bou Zid, General Arnim sent several of his battle groups to take Sbeitla, which they did quickly – in about a day. Sights were set on Kasserine Pass.

Once Gen. Anderson realized the danger that was posed to the American base at Tebessa, which included supplies, and that the Panzer Divisions could very well “threaten the right rear flank of the entire British 1st Army” reinforcements were sent to aid the American II Corps.

@1stArmoredDiv Combat Command ‘B’ “boiled down south and by 16-17 Feb. was in position north of SBEITLA to cover the American withdrawal therefrom. It was later ordered further northwest to help protect the THALA area and the passes leading into TEBESSA from the east.”

@FightingFirst 18th Regimental Combat Team “came down from the north on 17 Feb. to occupy a defensive position just south of SBIBA (24 miles north of SBEITLA).”

“On 19 Feb. '43 it repulsed several enemy armored-infantry attacks in this area after inflicting heavy losses on the enemy and thus secured the left flank of the hard-pressed American II Corps.”

The Battle of Kasserine Pass is often considered a terrible American defeat, but as Dr. @MarkCalhoun47 notes in the most recent podcast episode, it could alternatively (and maybe more accurately) be viewed as a costly American victory.

This battle is more like one of a series of battles or parts of an operation, with some suggesting the operation actually began in mid-January when the German 5th Panzer Army took another Pass in Tunisia. We will at least consider this to include Faid Pass and Sidi Bou Zid.

“The KASSERINE PASS provided the most favorable corridor of approach for the German Panzer Units in their advance north towards the critical area near THALA (at the head of the KASSERINE VALLEY).”

“The KASSERINE PASS had been occupied initially by the 19th Combat Engineer Regiment (a regiment of Corps troops which was new to combat).”

“These defending troops were reinforced and the Pass was hastily organized for defense on 19 Feb., under command of the Headquarters of the 26th Infantry Regiment…”

“In this hasty defensive organization, the 19th Engineer Regiment occupied the west side of the Pass; and the 26th Infantry Regiment (less the 2nd and 3rd BNs) occupied the east side of the Pass. The 33rd Field Artillery BN was in general support.” (Pic of Engineers in Italy)

“The organization of this defensive position had hardly been started on 19 FEB ’43 when the Germans launched a probing attack. They later launched their main attack against the Pass early on 20 FEB and gained possession of the dominating heights on the west flank.”

“After bringing up their 88mm guns and mortars, the Germans then pierced the right flank of the west sector (held by the 19th Engineer Regiment) and drove through the 26th Infantry sector on the east flank of the Pass.”

“During the night of 20-21 FEB, the Germans overran both positions, cleared the mine fields, and their tanks then started rolling up the KASSERINE VALLEY early on 21 FEB.”

“In the meantime, after having incurred heavy losses, the surviving American defenders had been forced to withdraw to the north under strong enemy pressure.”

The losses in this series of battles are significant. But also significant is the fact that the Allied forces managed to stop Rommel’s attack and he withdrew – kind of a “live to fight another day” mindset that some Axis commanders lacked. (Pic from Gazala)

Within a few days and following a massive American air strike, many of these areas will be returned to Allied control. But the cost was still tremendous.

At Kasserine Pass alone, some 300 Americans were killed, 3000 wounded, and another 3000 or so go missing. To compensate for these losses, 7000 troops will be needed in order to return these units to their fighting strength.

Roughly 4000 are captured by the Axis forces, along with 52 tanks and halftracks, 161 motor vehicles, and 36 guns.

Kasserine Pass Battles: Readings Vol. I Part I

history.army.mil/books/Staff-Ri…

Kasserine Pass Battles: Readings Vol. I Part II

history.army.mil/books/Staff-Ri…

Northwest Africa: Seizing the Initiative in the West

history.army.mil/html/books/006…

Tunisia

history.army.mil/html/books/072…

The Battle of Kasserine Pass: Defeat is a Matter of Scale by MAJ Eric G. Evans

apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD102…

If you are just tuning in or you miss any of the threads, you can find them all saved on this website along with links to other content from this year’s Why We Fight ~ 1943 series and the previous series content:

motheroftanks.com/why-we-fight-1…