Operation Torch was a major Allied military operation during World War II that took place in November 1942. The operation was designed to secure Allied control of the Western Mediterranean, particularly the Strait of Gibraltar, and to establish a base of operations in North Africa from which the Allies could launch an invasion of southern Europe.
The operation was led by General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who had recently been appointed as the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe. The operation involved a massive amphibious invasion of French North Africa, with landings taking place in three main locations: Oran and Algiers in Algeria, and Casablanca in Morocco.
The decision to launch Operation Torch was not taken lightly. The Allies had been considering an invasion of North Africa for some time, but there were several factors that made it a difficult decision. One of the main concerns was the risk of alienating the French, who were seen as potential allies in the war against the Axis powers. There was also the possibility of drawing German troops away from the Eastern Front and into North Africa, which could potentially affect the balance of power on that front.
Despite these concerns, the Allies ultimately decided that the benefits of securing control of the Western Mediterranean and establishing a base of operations in North Africa outweighed the risks. In the end, the operation was a success, and it allowed the Allies to gain a foothold in North Africa and begin the process of driving the Axis powers out of the region.
The invasion of French North Africa was not without its challenges, however. The French had a significant military presence in the region, and they put up a fierce resistance to the Allied landings. In addition, the German and Italian forces in the region were able to reinforce their positions and mount a counterattack against the Allies.
Despite these challenges, the Allies were ultimately able to secure control of North Africa and establish a base of operations from which they could launch further offensives against the Axis powers. Operation Torch was a major turning point in the war, and it set the stage for the eventual Allied victory in Europe.
The Guns Of Operation Torch
Exit Rommel: The Tunisian Campaign, 1942—43. The Vichy French and the Germans had been taken by surprise, a foothold in North Africa had been secured, the morale of our home front had been improved and, most importantly, our war-winning alliance had learned valuable lessons about how to conduct coalition warfare. In June 1943, Giraud and de Gaulle agreed to form the de jure head of government of France and was recognized by the U. Bevan is armed with an M1903 rifle equipped with the M1 rifle grenade launcher, and Drost is armed with an While the two American rifles that fought the battles associated with Operation Torch were in many ways the stars of the show, other examples of American firepower proved themselves in combat during this opening phase of the North African campaign. Establishment of lodgments on the North coast and Northwest coast to prepare area for sea ground and air operations then vigorous and rapid exploitation from lodgments to obtain complete control of the entire area. It also brought American firepower to the European—African—Middle Eastern battlefield for the first time because, once the Torch landings began, Americans came ashore carrying guns made by the government armories at Springfield and Rock Island. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
Ideally there would also be a landing at Tunis to secure Tunisia and facilitate the rapid interdiction of supplies traveling via Tripoli to The Combined Chiefs of Staff, however, were concerned that should Operation Torch precipitate Marshall's opposition to Torch delayed the landings by almost a month, and his opposition to landings in Algeria led British military leaders to question his strategic ability; the Royal Navy controlled the the past six weeks were the most trying of his life. Favorable weather conditions are necessary for Operation TORCH to proceed as planned. As a result of the full national mobilization of the American economy that was by then in full swing, guns made by private-sector manufacturers such as Colt, Auto-Ordnance, Remington, New England Small Arms and GM would also join the struggle. This gave the French defenders time to organize resistance, and the remaining landings were conducted under artillery bombardment. It produced a meaningfully important political outcome that would be repeated 300 days later with the Italians, but that was still a long way off. Drost, both from Iowa, aiming their rifles toward the port below.
