Europe 1943: Tunisia Campaign

The Allied successes in North Africa had persuaded Germany to land forces in Tunisia. In February, they were joined by Rommel and his troops, who had fled the British across Libya. Rommel quickly returned to the attack, smashing the inexperienced US II Corps at Kasserine Pass. Despite this setback, the Allies recovered and were soon advancing on Tunis.

Main Events

14–24 Jan 1943 Casablanca Conference

United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Free French leader General Charles de Gaulle, and High Commissioner of France in Africa Henri Giraud met at the Anfa Hotel in Casablanca, French Morocco. The conference discussed strategy for the next phase of World War II and produced the ‘Casablanca Declaration’, demanding the unconditional surrender of the Axis powers.in wikipedia

22–23 Jan 1943 British capture of Tripoli

Following the British victory at El Agheila in December 1942, Erwin Rommel’s German–Italian Panzer Army fled westwards into Tripolitania, the western part of the Italian colony of Libya. After making a brief stand at Buerat, 360 km to the east of the capital Tripoli, Rommel decided to retreat onward to Tunisia, pausing only to destroy port facilities and mount other delaying actions. On the night of 22/23 January the pursuing British 7th Armoured Division entered Tripoli, too slow to catch Rommel, who was by this time completing his withdrawal into Tunisia.in wikipedia

31 Jan–2 Feb 1943 Surrender of the Sixth Army

On 31 January Soviet forces advancing on the remaining German positions in Stalingrad reach the headquarters of German Field Marshal Friedrich Paulus, commander of the Sixth Army, in the southern pocket and capture him. Two days later,on 2 February, the remainder of the Sixth Army under General Strecker surrenders to the Soviets, ending organized Axis resistance in the city.in wikipedia

19–25 Feb 1943 Battle of Kasserine Pass

German and Italian forces under Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel attacked American forces at Kasserine Pass, Tunisia. The inexperienced and poorly led American troops suffered heavy casualties and were pushed back 80km, but eventually rallied and fought back with the arrival of British reinforcements.in wikipedia