Battle Of The Kasserine Essay

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1. DEFINE THE SUBJECT/EVALUATE THE SOURCES: The Kasserine Pass was a 2 mile-wide strategic main supply route in the North African country of Tunisia. The pass was settled in the grand dorsal chain of the Atlas Mountains. The battle consisted of elements of US 1st Armored Division that was led by General Lloyd Fredendall for the Allied forces vs. the German 10th and 21st Panzer Divisions led by German General Erwin Rommel also known as the Desert Fox, for the Axis. The battle took place starting on February 14, 1943 and lasting through February 25, 1943. The Allied Forces eventually regained the pass after the axis forces withdrew back into northern Tunisia on 25 February 1943.

2. REVIEW THE SETTING (SET THE STAGE): a. …show more content…

The dates of the battle were only a short period of time during many of WWII 1939-1945. The push was called upon to divide Axis forces in the north and south and gain control of the Suez Canal and Mediterranean Sea which would cut off Axis and provide a major logistical advantage for the Allied Forces. The Axis wanted to take control of North Africa and assure its control over Italy and Europe. The Allies launched an offensive objective to Northwest Africa under the name Operation Torch, in order to establish an Allied front. The campaign would clear the Axis Front from North Africa, improve naval control of the Mediterranean Sea and prevent Axis of having a possible staging area for the Luftwaffe to launch further attacks. b. Study the area of operations 1. A cold wind blew with sheets of rain. A dust storm allowed for the Allied forces to shift momentum and go into a defensive position for a change of strategy that allowed supplies and other supporting forces to catch up. 2. In the center of Western Tunisia, stand two mountain ranges, called the Eastern and Western Dorsal of the Atlas Mountains. However, to traverse from the east or west through either chain, you must utilize one of the several passes through the mountains. The dessert floor was saturated from the weeks of rain. This gave the 1st Armored Division an advantage when they positioned its Combat Command Posts close to these passes, defending the

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