Kasserine pass ww2 timeline february 19th 25th, 1943 north africa burst into flames of war as rommel and his afrika corps sought to annihilate the inexperienced and confused allies. The battle of kasserine passactually a series of battles in february 1943 when raw american troops had their first major battlefield encounters with the german armyhas long ranked as one of the worst disasters ever suffered by the united states army. Their first major clash with the germans, the battle showed an enemy superiority in experience and equipment as well as exposed several flaws in the american command structure and doctrine. The battle, won by the veteran german army, exposed the flawed us forceswhich took the defeat as a learning opportunity. American armor doctrine, training, and battle command in northwest africa, world war ii, by major mark t.
Why was the battle of kasserine pass in 1943 such a disaster for the us army. It was fought around a two mile gap in the grand dorsal chain of the atlas mountains in west central tunisia. Men of the 2nd battalion, 16th infantry regiment of the u. For this aar, i have chosen the operation torch entry point, which was america. The work is much broader than the title would indicate. Battle of kasserine pass, 1424 february 1943, world war ii event. Historically, this battle was the first significant engagement between american and german troops.
American 168th infantrys last stand at kasserine pass. In the battle of kasserine, incompetent military leader lloyd r. In absolutely no source concerning this battle is it referred to as the kasserine pass. Oct, 2015 the battle of kasserine pass took place during the tunisia campaign of world war ii in february 1943. Kasserine pass is a 2 mi wide gap in the grand dorsal chain of the atlas mountains in west. There are a total of 12 kasserine pass ww2 timeline february 19th 25th, 1943 events in the second world war timeline database.
The battle is considered one of the worst defeats ever suffered by the united states military. In a series of engagements in tunisia during world war ii that reached a climax near the algerian border at the kasserine pass, combined italian and german forces in february 1943 drove american and french troops back about fifty miles from the eastern to the western dorsale mountains. The 1st armored division was the first american armored unit to enter combat against german panzer divisions in world war ii. The axis offensive along the kasserine pass, in a gap in the atlas mountains of westcentral tunisia, was the first largescale encounter in world war ii between the axis and the u. Battle of the kasserine pass on this day, german general erwin rommel and his afrika korps launch an offensive against an allied defensive line in tunisia, north africa. The battle for kasserine pass was the first major battlefield encounter between american troops and the battle tested german army. Kasserine pass is a twomile long valley through the mountains, and it was defended by american troops. The battle of kasserine pass in february 1943 is typically remembered as both the initial baptism of fire of us troops in europe in the second world war and as a us tactical defeat that led to muchneeded reforms a theme that was well covered in rick atkinsons excellent an army at dawn in 2002. The battle for kasserine pass began on february 14, 1943 and to this day ranks as one of the worst american military performances in the twentieth century. The influence of physical geography on the battle of. The axis forces involved, led by field marshal erwin rommel, were primarily from the afrika korps assault group. This article is part 2 in a special series on world war ii battlefields by acg consulting historian and advisory board member, carlo deste after our tour of carthage and a visit to the american military cemetery we boarded the cruise ship corinthian ii late on saturday afternoon. Battle of the kasserine pass simple english wikipedia.
Following the defeat at kasserine pass, the american and british armies engaged the german army in two months of battle that eventually led to the defeat of german forces in. The battle of kasserine pass took place during the tunisia campaign of world war ii in february 1943. The battle of kasserine pass proved to be a shock both to american military forces in the field and to the american public at home. Rommel determined that this location was the weakest point in the allied defensive line.
The battle of kasserine pass finally, the americans were allowed to fall back and regroup. Now you can either get out of the tank and proceed on foot or stay in the tank. The engagements before the germans advancing on kasserine pass were where the americans first truly showed their lack of understanding of german tactics and mobile warfare. Flames of war v4 battle report the battle of kasserine pass, tunisia 1943 duration.
Fredenall had the misfortune to oppose erwin rommel, one of the true military geniuses of the second. Battle of the kasserine pass simple english wikipedia, the. The game system is simple and highly playable with both sides having an equal opportunity for victory. Kasserine pass battles maps and sketches appendix u. Rommel had a brilliant victory at the battle of the kasserine pass and george patton was called in to restore american fighting spirit after the. Mar 19, 2018 while complete disaster had been averted, the battle of kasserine pass was a humiliating defeat for us forces. While complete disaster had been averted, the battle of kasserine pass was a humiliating defeat for us forces. An examination of allied operational failings by major vincent m.
What are some interesting facts about the battle of kasserine. Mar 30, 2020 the german juggernaut obliterated one unit after another forcing the americans into a headlong retreat. The 2nd battalion, 16th infantry regiment of the united states army marches through the kasserine pass and on to kasserine and farriana, tunisia 26 february 1943. General bernard montgomerys victory in the second battle of. Apr, 2004 kasserine pass battles staff ride background materials. An allied advance into kasserine pass turns into a fierce confrontation, triggering a sweeping axis counter offensive. The battle was a devastating defeat for the americans and a significant blow to american morale and prestige. The german attack soon ran out of steam as allied resistance increased, and in the long term this success rebounded on them, as the americans very quickly learnt from their experiences and became a formidable.
Choose from 182 different sets of battle of kasserine pass flashcards on quizlet. This instigated rommels response, which culminated with the battle of kasserine pass. Timeline of events covering the battle of kasserine pass in north africa as part of world war ii. At first patton couldnt believe the report in which you so eloquently described your motives for disabling as many axis units as possible while they were vacating the kasserine pass. In november 1943, allied troops landed in algeria and morocco as part of operation torch. Feb 26, 2017 video for tech maker project us military history 2017. Other leading and trailing events may also be included for perspective. The german attack soon ran out of steam as allied resistance increased, and in the long term this success rebounded on them, as the americans very quickly learnt. Battle of tunisia kasserine pass date and location it all started in november, 1943 allied troops landed in algeria and morocco as part of operation torch americas plan of clearing the continent of axis powers lt.
The first significant wwii encounter between the american 1st armored division and german panzer divisions occurred at the battle of kasserine pass in central tunisia in february, 1943. Battle of the kasserine pass facts world war 2 facts. Battle of the kasserine pass map battle of the kasserine pass video. This video is about kasserine pass 75th anniversary. From pearl harbor to the kasserine pass by gerald astor. Contents 1 tunisianbattleground 2 tunisiatopography 3 tunisian front, 4 battlefor easterndorsal passes january. The story of a marine grunt in the first battle of khe sanh april 1967. Battle of the kasserine pass battle of kasserine pass i have no idea why there is a the before kasserine pass. The battle of the kasserine pass, named for a pass through the atlas mountains, was a battle fought in tunisia. The battle was a devastating defeat for the americans and a.
Battle of kasserine pass, tunisia 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,19, 20, 21, 22 february 1943. The scenario i will be highlighting will be the battle of the kasserine pass. The defeat of the allied forces in the battle put doubt into the minds of manyall of whom assumed the righteous democracies of the western allies could not be defeated in the field by the armies of fascism. Battle of kasserine pass, tunisia, 14 22 february 1943. Kasserine pass ww2 timeline february 19th 25th, 1943. What are some interesting facts about the battle of. This article is part 2 in a special series on world war ii battlefields by acg consulting historian and advisory board member, carlo deste. Eisenhower quickly launched into finding out what under his command had failed so badly and revised tactics and command structures accordingly. Author martin blumenson sets the scene by describing the forces, military and political, italian, german, french, american and british which would lead to the dramatic battle. A ll battles, the historian john keegan once observed, are in some degree disasters. The battle of kasserine pass was a battle of the tunisia campaign of world war ii that took place in february 1943. What is not obvious, however, is that allied troops on the ground gave a good account of themselves against the remnants of rommels vaunted afrika korps, despite the ineffective. Every wargamer knows this battle was a severe allied setback. The battle of the kasserine pass was a battle that took place during the tunisia campaign of world war ii in february 1943.
Kasserine pass covers the german attack in tunisia during february 1943. The 75th anniversary of the battle of kasserine pass. Entries are listed below by date of occurrence ascending firsttolast. That said, as bad as the battle for kasserine pass went it could have been a lot worse. This is a fast moving struggle in the mountains, with artillery playing a crucial role. Army quickly brought up reinforcements and stiffened the line, there were many pockets of men. Contents 1 tunisianbattleground 2 tunisiatopography. The battle of kasserine pass 1922 february 1943 was rommels final success in north africa, and saw the inexperienced americans suffer a heavy defeat at the hands of the germans. Battle of tunisia kasserine pass by agnes jones on prezi.
Military historian robert citino talked about the events leading up to and during the 1943 battle of kasserine pass in tunisia. Shortened patton 360 episode for school presentation. The battle has been carefully studied, and several senior commanders have been relieved. The battle of kasserine pass part i taking over the panzerget in the tank and take out the enemy panzer tank.
In total, the battle of kasserine pass and the prelude to it saw 10,000 allied casualties and 2,000 axis casualties. In this oral history with the national wwii museum, martello describes his experience at kasserine pass. Learn battle of kasserine pass with free interactive flashcards. Apr 18, 2018 in the battle of kasserine, incompetent military leader lloyd r. Read kasserine pass 1943 rommels last victory by steven j. Their first major clash with the germans, the battle showed an enemy superiority in experience and equipment as well as exposed several flaws in. The battle of kasserine, february 1943 chronicles the first real ground operations by the us army in the eto in ww2. The national world war ii museum in new orleans hosts a symposium on the 1943 battle of kasserine pass, when the u. Kasserine pass is an in depth study of the events leading up to and concluding with the battle of kasserine pass. For some reason it wont allow me to move it to battle of kasserine pass as it should be italia2006 01.
Battle of the bulge 1944 2 bastogne ebook by steven j. The battle took place from 19 february 1943 to 24 february 1943. Ike and the 1st us army in north africa 1943 by charles whiting 19430224 the greatest war, volume i. The next point of defense would be the kasserine pass, which was an opening in the range where a road, a river and a railroad track went throughan obvious point to hold. Kasserine pass battles staff ride background materials. History remembers the battle of kasserine pass as devastating for the us army, which was making its first military foray into world war ii. It was a series of battles fought around kasserine pass, a 2 mi 3. In a series of engagements in tunisia during world war ii that reached a climax near the algerian border at the kasserine pass, combined italian and german forces in february 1943 drove american and french troops back about fifty miles from the. Battle of kasserine pass flashcards and study sets quizlet.
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