AMERICANS TAKE KASSERINE GAP; NAZI ATTACKS SLOW SOVIET DRIVE (2/26/43)

Microfilm-New York Times archives, Monterey Public Library | 2/26/43 | Drew Middleton, Charles Hurd, Ralph Parker

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents World War II Plus 70 Years: Seminar and Discussion Forum
First session: September 1, 2009. Last date to add: September 2, 2015.
Reading assignment: New York Times articles delivered daily to students on the 70th anniversary of original publication date. (Previously posted articles can be found by searching on keyword “realtime” Or view Homer’s posting history .)
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by freepmail. Those on the Realtime +/- 70 Years ping list are automatically enrolled. Course description, prerequisites and tuition information is available at the bottom of Homer’s profile. Also visit our general discussion thread.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Prime Minister to General Ismay, Sir Edward Bridges, and others concerned 26 Feb 43

Please note how carefully the orders which I asked General Eisenhower to give about printing the names of the American aircraft after their numbers are being carried out by the American Command. Make absolutely sure that we conform. All cases of disobedience to this instruction should be reported to me, and the offending document sent forward with the statement of the department or branch responsible for its issue.

Winston S. Churchill, The Hinge of Fate

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Rommel Retreats (Middleton) – 2-3
Mark VI Tanks Met by Brooklyn Scorn – 3
‘Clean-Cut Repulse’ in Tunisia Dealt to Foe, Stimson Asserts (Hurd) – 4
A Gain in Caucasus (Parker) – 4-6
War News Summarized – 5
The Texts of the Day’s Communiques on the Fighting in Various War Zones – 7-8

[Homer_J_Simpson]

http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1943/feb1943/f26feb43.htm

German Attacks in Tunisia Fail
Friday, February 26, 1943 www.onwar.com

Allied artillery defends against the German attacks [photo at link]

In Tunisia... Elements of 10th and 21st Panzer Divisions (parts of 5th Panzer Army commanded by von Arnim) attack British positions at Medjez el Bab. No progress is made. Rommel intends to concentrate these and other forces for an attack on the British 8th Army before the Mareth Line. Montgomery’s forward units (two divisions) are vulnerable because of a lack of logistical support at the front. They are in their present positions as a diversionary move carried out as part of the response to the earlier fighting at the Kasserine Pass.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andrew.etherington/frame.htm

February 26th, 1943 (FRIDAY)

UNITED KINGDOM:
ASW trawler HMS Lancer commissioned.

Minesweeper HMS Mutine commissioned. (Dave Shirlaw)

GERMANY: US Flying Fortresses and Liberators bomb the German naval base at Wilhelmshaven.

TUNISIA: Units of the 10th and 21st Panzer Divisions under von Arnim attack British positions at Medjez el Bab. This prevents Rommel from concentrating quickly for an attack on the British 8th Army before the Mareth line.

U.S.A.: Destroyer USS Anthony commissioned. (Dave Shirlaw)

ATLANTIC OCEAN: A man from U-760 was killed during an air attack in Wilhelmshaven [Obermaschinist Jakob Ippendorf]. (Dave Shirlaw)

[colorado tanker]

Kasserine was a near run thing. Rommel came dangerously close to getting behind our Tunisian forces.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Rommel came dangerously close to getting behind our Tunisian forces.

Close but no cigar. Which is why I am now puzzled as to why Kasserine is generally considered a defeat for United States forces. Sure, they were pushed back and took a lot of casualties and lost a lot of equipment, but the Germans failed to achieve their objective of driving the allies out of Tunisia by taking Tebessa. Today's headline shows that we are about where we started less than two weeks ago.

[colorado tanker]

One of the things I have found most striking about seeing the daily press is the tenor of the North Africa coverage. The consensus seemed to be after the landings we were going to take Tunis fairly easily. Getting roughed up at Kasserine came as a shock that the press had not at all prepared the country for. Plus, the British really saved our bacon by rushing the tank brigade to Thela.

That said, I agree the battle has to be judged a defeat for Rommel in failing to reach his objectives. He also realized he did not have the resources to defend the Mareth Line and go on the offensive against the Americans at the same time.

In hindsight, I'm glad Americans viewed the battle as a defeat. We really needed a wake up call on a number of issues from troops digging proper foxholes all the way up to the incompetent Corps commander. It caused us to fix a lot of things before entering Europe.