Nov. 7 and 8 mark the 55th anniversary of World War II’s Operation Torch, the Allied code name for the invasion of Vichy French North Africa in 1942.
If this writer’s memory serves him accurately, in the past number of years, the Tribune and other local media have made little or no mention of this important anniversary. Operation Torch was a key factor in the ultimate defeat of the Axis powers in World War II, occurring as it did some 20 months before the invasion at Normandy.
In late October of 1942, Allied troop convoys sailed from the United States and Britain. These convoys were forced to evade German submarine wolf packs while preparing for an amphibious landing and assault in North Africa.
Two beachheads were established on the coast of Algeria, at and near Oran and Algiers. A third was on the west coast of French Morocco at Fedela, for the assault and capture of Casablanca. The troops that landed near Casablanca were led by Gen. George S. Patton.
Upon successful completion of Operation Torch, these U.S. forces proceeded to Tunisia, where during the next six months they engaged in combat with Field Marshall Erwin Rommel’s Afrika Corps.
Victory was at hand when the U.S. forces joined with Britain’s 8th Army and successfully drove the German Wehrmacht troops from North Africa. This victory secured the Allies’ southern flank and paved the way for the invasions of Sicily, Italy, Normandy and southern France.
In memory of those who lost their lives, those who were wounded in battle and all those who served in this endeavor, it would seem proper that some recognition be given on the anniversary of Operation Torch.
