Changes

In November, [[Operation Torch]] brought in 125,000 American and British forces from the 1st Army (under General Kenneth Anderson) in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia and joined the attack, with the aim of capturing Tunis and Bizerte before the Germans and Italians could send reinforcements into Tunisia. With the use of all available transport capacity the ''Regia Aeronautica'' managed to fly 72,000 ground troops and 5,000 tons of war material into Tunisia.

In November, [[Operation Torch]] brought in 125,000 American and British forces from the 1st Army (under General Kenneth Anderson) in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia and joined the attack, with the aim of capturing Tunis and Bizerte before the Germans and Italians could send reinforcements into Tunisia. With the use of all available transport capacity the ''Regia Aeronautica'' managed to fly 72,000 ground troops and 5,000 tons of war material into Tunisia.

Initially, the Axis forces under Field Marshal Erwin Rommel succeeded in defeating the Allies quickly in the Tunisian Campaign, driving Allied forces back 50 miles through the Kasserine Pass and capturing 4,000 Allied soldiers<ref>"They had captured 4,026 prisoners, 61 tanks and half-tracks, 161 motorized vehicles, 36 guns, 45 tons of ammunition, and huge amounts of fuel, lubricants and other equipment." Blitzkrieg No Longer, Samuel Mitcham, Pen and Sword, 2010</ref>in the attack lead by the Italian ''Littorio'' Armoured Division.

Initially, the Axis forces under Field Marshal Erwin Rommel succeeded in defeating the Allies quickly in the Tunisian Campaign, driving Allied forces back 50 miles through the Kasserine Pass and capturing 4,000 Allied soldiers<ref>"They had captured 4,026 prisoners, 61 tanks and half-tracks, 161 motorized vehicles, 36 guns, 45 tons of ammunition, and huge amounts of fuel, lubricants and other equipment." Blitzkrieg No Longer, Samuel Mitcham, Pen and Sword, 2010</ref> in the attack lead by the Italian ''Littorio'' Armoured Division.

From the start of May the Luftwaffe had been flying men and machines out of Tunisia to save what it could. With the 9th and 12th Air Forces in the battle, the Allies drove the Germans and Italians back into a pocket around Bizerte and Tunis, where the 5th ''Panzer Armee'' surrendered on 9 May.   

From the start of May the Luftwaffe had been flying men and machines out of Tunisia to save what it could. With the 9th and 12th Air Forces in the battle, the Allies drove the Germans and Italians back into a pocket around Bizerte and Tunis, where the 5th ''Panzer Armee'' surrendered on 9 May.   

By 11 May the German forces in the northern pocket had been completely mopped up, while the divisions of the Allied 1st Army then turned to assist in the encirclement of the 1st Italian Army, which they achieved between 11-13 May.

By 11 May the German forces in the northern pocket had been completely mopped up, while the divisions of the Allied 1st Army then turned to assist in the encirclement of the 1st Italian Army, which they achieved between 11–13 May.

On 13 May, over 250,000 Axis prisoners were in Allied custody, thus bringing and end to the Tunisian Campaign. Thus Tunisia became available for launching [[Operation Husky]], an Allied invasion on Sicily as a preliminary to an assault on mainland Italy.  

On 13 May, over 250,000 Axis prisoners were in Allied custody, thus bringing and end to the Tunisian Campaign. Thus Tunisia became available for launching [[Operation Husky]], an Allied invasion on Sicily as a preliminary to an assault on mainland Italy.  

At the end of January, German forces attacked the French, who were defending Faid Pass. General Fredendall faced an immediate choice between seizing Maknassy or reinforcing Faid Pass. The US 1st Armoured Divisiion had been preparing operations against Maknassy Pass since early January and Fredendall decided to seize Maknassy, since it would protect the Faid Pass and threaten the Axis defences.

At the end of January, German forces attacked the French, who were defending Faid Pass. General Fredendall faced an immediate choice between seizing Maknassy or reinforcing Faid Pass. The US 1st Armoured Divisiion had been preparing operations against Maknassy Pass since early January and Fredendall decided to seize Maknassy, since it would protect the Faid Pass and threaten the Axis defences.

On 24 January 1943, despite coming under heavy anti-aircraft fire, the 10th Bersaglieri Regiment dug-in and around Djebel Rihana defeat the inital attacks from the US 26th Regimental Combat Team and 443rd Anti-Aircraft Battalion.

On 24 January 1943, despite coming under heavy anti-aircraft fire, the 10th Bersaglieri Regiment dug-in and around Djebel Rihana defeat the initial attacks from the US 26th Regimental Combat Team and 443rd Anti-Aircraft Battalion.

On 30 January,  the ''Centauro'' Armoured Division and German units from from the two German panzer divisions, attacked through Maknassy Pass. The Axis attack came as a complete surprise to the U.S. 2nd Army Corps. The U.S. 1st Armored Division, which had established itself in the saddle of the Faid Pass, was overrun. Gafsa was also abandoned.

On 30 January,  the ''Centauro'' Armoured Division and German units from from the two German panzer divisions, attacked through Maknassy Pass. The Axis attack came as a complete surprise to the U.S. 2nd Army Corps. The U.S. 1st Armored Division, which had established itself in the saddle of the Faid Pass, was overrun. Gafsa was also abandoned.

on 14 February, elements of the 10th and 21st Panzer divisions (under the overall command of General Heinz Ziegler) launched an attack through Faid and Maizila passes. The German attack overran the American defenders and reached the Djebel Lessouda hill. While half the German force reached Djebel Lessouda, the other half headed for Djebel Ksaira and Bir el Hafey. By the end of the day, most of the American fighting vehicles had been driven west or destroyed, leaving isolated pockets of US infantrymen in the hills of Djebel Lessouda, Djebel Ksaira, and Djebel Garet Hadid with no support.  

on 14 February, elements of the 10th and 21st Panzer divisions (under the overall command of General Heinz Ziegler) launched an attack through Faid and Maizila passes. The German attack overran the American defenders and reached the Djebel Lessouda hill. While half the German force reached Djebel Lessouda, the other half headed for Djebel Ksaira and Bir el Hafey. By the end of the day, most of the American fighting vehicles had been driven west or destroyed, leaving isolated pockets of US infantrymen in the hills of Djebel Lessouda, Djebel Ksaira, and Djebel Garet Hadid with no support.  

On February 19th, Rommel attacked the US 2nd Army Corps in the [[Battle of Kasserine Pass]]. The plan was for the German-Italian ''Panzer Armee'' to get to Tebessa and Thala. Rommel sent the 5th Bersaglieri Regiment Battalion into the pass to fight Colonel Anderson Moore's 19th Combat Engineer Regiment defending the pass. The 21st Panzer Division were not able to advance through the Sbiba Pass<ref>"While the fight for Kasserine Pass was in progress, Rommel had directed 21st Panzer Division to break through at Sbiba. However, on February 19 the division ran into Allied positions south of the town, fronted by an extensive minefield covered by artillery fire, and, unable to make headway, it remained there for the rest of the battle." Battlegrounds: Geography and the History of Warfare, Michael Stephenson, pg.224, Simon and Schuster, 2003</ref>in the face of fierce resistance from the US 34th Division and British Guards Brigade, but the Germans managed to exploit Italian success through Kassarine Pass. German battlegroups tried to press on to Thala and Tebessa but were stopped in fierce fighting. On 22 February, Rommel was satisfied that he had managed to cause a significant amount of damage and casualties to the Allied forces, so he decided to withdraw his troops back to their startlines, covered by Bersaglieri. The damage done to the Allies was disastrous, but this was not a complete Axis victory for the Germans were unable to reach Thala and Tebessa.   

On February 19, Rommel attacked the US 2nd Army Corps in the [[Battle of Kasserine Pass]]. The plan was for the German-Italian ''Panzer Armee'' to get to Tebessa and Thala. Rommel sent the 5th Bersaglieri Regiment Battalion into the pass to fight Colonel Anderson Moore's 19th Combat Engineer Regiment defending the pass. The 21st Panzer Division were not able to advance through the Sbiba Pass<ref>"While the fight for Kasserine Pass was in progress, Rommel had directed 21st Panzer Division to break through at Sbiba. However, on February 19 the division ran into Allied positions south of the town, fronted by an extensive minefield covered by artillery fire, and, unable to make headway, it remained there for the rest of the battle." Battlegrounds: Geography and the History of Warfare, Michael Stephenson, pg.224, Simon and Schuster, 2003</ref> in the face of fierce resistance from the US 34th Division and British Guards Brigade, but the Germans managed to exploit Italian success through Kassarine Pass. German battlegroups tried to press on to Thala and Tebessa but were stopped in fierce fighting. On 22 February, Rommel was satisfied that he had managed to cause a significant amount of damage and casualties to the Allied forces, so he decided to withdraw his troops back to their startlines, covered by Bersaglieri. The damage done to the Allies was disastrous, but this was not a complete Axis victory for the Germans were unable to reach Thala and Tebessa.   

Close to 30,000 American soldiers took part in the fighting for Kasserine Pass. Around 300 were killed, 3,000 wounded and close to 4,000 American soldiers were captured.<ref>«''More than 200 U.S. tanks were destroyed and nearly 4,000 American troops were captured''.» World War II in Europe: An Encyclopedia, p. 985, David T. Zabecki, Routledge, 2015</ref><ref>"American losses in round figures exceeded 3,000 killed and wounded and 200 tanks; the Germans claimed 3,721 prisoners." Patton, pg. 68, Da Capo Press, 2008</ref>

Close to 30,000 American soldiers took part in the fighting for Kasserine Pass. Around 300 were killed, 3,000 wounded and close to 4,000 American soldiers were captured.<ref>«''More than 200 U.S. tanks were destroyed and nearly 4,000 American troops were captured''.» World War II in Europe: An Encyclopedia, p. 985, David T. Zabecki, Routledge, 2015</ref><ref>"American losses in round figures exceeded 3,000 killed and wounded and 200 tanks; the Germans claimed 3,721 prisoners." Patton, pg. 68, Da Capo Press, 2008</ref>

The Mareth Line in eastern Tunisia was a natural defensive position comparable to El Alamein; a front 35km (22 miles) long extended from the coast to the mountains inland.

The Mareth Line in eastern Tunisia was a natural defensive position comparable to El Alamein; a front 35km (22 miles) long extended from the coast to the mountains inland.

On 3 March, the 10th Bersaglieri Regiment supported by 30 tanks attacked the British lines, hoping to repeat the success at Kasserine Pass.<ref>"On February 22— facing poor terrain for mobile operations, increased Alled resistance, and a lack of cooperation from Arnim— Rommel withdrew artfully to prepare for a similiar operation against General Bernard L. Montgomery's British Eighth Army on the Mareth Line to the east." George S. Patton, Earle Rice, pg. 78, Infobase Publishing, 2009</ref>According to Associated Press war correspondent Don Whitehead:{{cquote|Last night three companies of Italians followed by 30 tanks and lorried infantry attacked the Highlander's advance screen. The Jocks “mowed 'em down”—and didn't lose a man. The tanks and infantry scurried back to the safety of the hills. Half the Italians were killed.<ref>Combat Reporter: Don Whitehead's World War II Diary and Memoirs, pg. 125, Fordham Univ Press, 2006</ref>}}

On 3 March, the 10th Bersaglieri Regiment supported by 30 tanks attacked the British lines, hoping to repeat the success at Kasserine Pass.<ref>"On February 22— facing poor terrain for mobile operations, increased Alled resistance, and a lack of cooperation from Arnim— Rommel withdrew artfully to prepare for a similiar operation against General Bernard L. Montgomery's British Eighth Army on the Mareth Line to the east." George S. Patton, Earle Rice, pg. 78, Infobase Publishing, 2009</ref> According to Associated Press war correspondent Don Whitehead:{{cquote|Last night three companies of Italians followed by 30 tanks and lorried infantry attacked the Highlander's advance screen. The Jocks “mowed 'em down”—and didn't lose a man. The tanks and infantry scurried back to the safety of the hills. Half the Italians were killed.<ref>Combat Reporter: Don Whitehead's World War II Diary and Memoirs, pg. 125, Fordham Univ Press, 2006</ref>}}

On 6 March General Montgomery defeated four more counterattacks from the German divisions, destroying 52 panzers.

On 6 March General Montgomery defeated four more counterattacks from the German divisions, destroying 52 panzers.

them.

them.

In mid-March the Allies went back on the offensive. Montgomery's 8th Army hit the Axis southern flank around Mareth with several divisions, breaking the Mareth Line on 20 March. When the 30th Corps was thrown back, Montgomery reinforced the flanking attack, which eventually - on 26 March - forced a German withdrawal. When the bridgehead at Wadi Zigzau had to be abandoned on 23 March, General Montgomery decided to switch the main attack from the Mareth Line to the flank where the New Zealanders were making such good progress. So reinforcements and supplies were rushed to Gemera; Bermard Freyberg's 2nd New Zealand Divsion. It was during this battle that Second Lieutenant [[Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu]] of the 28th Maori Battalion won a posthumous VC defending Point 209.

In mid-March the Allies went back on the offensive. Montgomery's 8th Army hit the Axis southern flank around Mareth with several divisions, breaking the Mareth Line on 20 March. When the 30th Corps was thrown back, Montgomery reinforced the flanking attack, which eventually - on 26 March - forced a German withdrawal. When the bridgehead at Wadi Zigzau had to be abandoned on 23 March, General Montgomery decided to switch the main attack from the Mareth Line to the flank where the New Zealanders were making such good progress. So reinforcements and supplies were rushed to Gemera; Bermard Freyberg's 2nd New Zealand Division. It was during this battle that Second Lieutenant [[Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu]] of the 28th Maori Battalion won a posthumous VC defending Point 209.

On Sunday 28 March, the 8th Army occupied Mareth, Toujane and Matmata, taking several thousands of prisoners.  British tanks pursued the retreating Axis forces, but were stopped by anti-tank defences at Wadi el Assuib.

On Sunday 28 March, the 8th Army occupied Mareth, Toujane and Matmata, taking several thousands of prisoners.  British tanks pursued the retreating Axis forces, but were stopped by anti-tank defences at Wadi el Assuib.

The next Axis fallback position, at Wadi Akarit north of Mareth, was stormed by the 30th Corps on the night of 5 April. Again, the German and Italian forces made an orderly withdrawal, perhaps assisted by Montgomery's deliberate approach. Gemeral von Arnim now fell back to a defensive line covering the Tunisian capital.

The next Axis fallback position, at Wadi Akarit north of Mareth, was stormed by the 30th Corps on the night of 5 April. Again, the German and Italian forces made an orderly withdrawal, perhaps assisted by Montgomery's deliberate approach. General von Arnim now fell back to a defensive line covering the Tunisian capital.

In a month-long series of battles, the British, hampered by heavy rains, pushed Axis units over 150 miles north to within 47 miles of Tunis.

In a month-long series of battles, the British, hampered by heavy rains, pushed Axis units over 150 miles north to within 47 miles of Tunis.

After three days fierce fighting, the Takrouna stronghold was captured by the New Zealanders from the 23rd and 28th Battalions, but Point 141 remained in Italian hands. Over 500 men in General Freyberg's 2nd Division were killed or wounded seizing the height and surrounding ground. As a consequence, Takrouna would be the last battle fought by the New Zealand Division during the Tunisian Campaign with the British 56th ''Black Cat'' Division taking over the advance and General Freyberg recalled to Cairo.

After three days fierce fighting, the Takrouna stronghold was captured by the New Zealanders from the 23rd and 28th Battalions, but Point 141 remained in Italian hands. Over 500 men in General Freyberg's 2nd Division were killed or wounded seizing the height and surrounding ground. As a consequence, Takrouna would be the last battle fought by the New Zealand Division during the Tunisian Campaign with the British 56th ''Black Cat'' Division taking over the advance and General Freyberg recalled to Cairo.

<ref>[http://www.queensroyalsurreys.org.uk/ww2/middle_east/qme025.shtml Enfidaville]</ref>Sergeants Haane Manahi Walter Smith received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for their part in the battle.

<ref>[http://www.queensroyalsurreys.org.uk/ww2/middle_east/qme025.shtml Enfidaville]</ref> Sergeants Haane Manahi Walter Smith received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for their part in the battle.

During the fighting in April, it was observed by General Harold Alexander in a despatch to Winston Churchill that ''"the Italians fought particularly well, outdoing the Germans in line with them"''.<ref>Decisive Campaigns of the Second World War, John Gooch, pg.95, Routledge, 2012</ref>

During the fighting in April, it was observed by General Harold Alexander in a despatch to Winston Churchill that ''"the Italians fought particularly well, outdoing the Germans in line with them"''.<ref>Decisive Campaigns of the Second World War, John Gooch, pg.95, Routledge, 2012</ref>

American infantrymen won much praise for their determination and experience in the fighting on 23-24 April, when the 2nd Battalion from the 18th Infantry, attacked a German stronghold three times before General von Arnim finally quit. After nightfall 1 May the Germans withdrew into Mateur. But two days later American armour drove the defenders out of the town

American infantrymen won much praise for their determination and experience in the fighting on 23–24 April, when the 2nd Battalion from the 18th Infantry, attacked a German stronghold three times before General von Arnim finally quit. After nightfall 1 May the Germans withdrew into Mateur. But two days later American armour drove the defenders out of the town

By 2 May, both sides had fought themselves to exhaustion; but whereas von Arnim had expended his reserves, General Alexander had still strong forces in hand, including those of the 8th Army which was still uncommitted to a major attack.

By 2 May, both sides had fought themselves to exhaustion; but whereas von Arnim had expended his reserves, General Alexander had still strong forces in hand, including those of the 8th Army which was still uncommitted to a major attack.

==Tunis==

==Tunis==

The 1st Army's drive towards Tebourba was heavily contested, with several German counter-attacks. The Allied attackers, however made good progress, taking Longstop Hill, Jebel Bou Aoukas, threatening to to encircle Pont du Fahs. The attacks convinced von Arnim that the Allied main effort would be made in the south and that he had little to fear from the north.

The 1st Army's drive towards Tebourba was heavily contested, with several German counter-attacks. The Allied attackers, however made good progress, taking Longstop Hill, Jebel Bou Aoukas, threatening to encircle Pont du Fahs. The attacks convinced von Arnim that the Allied main effort would be made in the south and that he had little to fear from the north.

The final Allied offensive, the [[Battle of Tunis]] began on 5 May with the 5th Corps gaining the hills which dominated the Tunis plain and the 9th Corps advancing on the morning of 6 May. The village of Massicault, which had been prepared for hedgehog defence, fell without resistance. By the afternoon the US 1st Infantry Division had gained their objective, and the British 6th and 7th Armoured Divisions, swept forward and entered Tunis on 7 May. <ref>"On 7 May the armour rolled into Tunis, taking many Axis forces by surprise. Some enemy troops even emerged from bars and restaurants, with stunned stares, and surrendered without a fight." The Decisive Campaigns of the Desert Air Force 1942-1945, Bryn Evans, p. 88, Pen and Sword, 2014</ref>On the same day the US 2nd Corps and Free French ''Corps d'Afrique'' took Bizerta.  

The final Allied offensive, the [[Battle of Tunis]] began on 5 May with the 5th Corps gaining the hills which dominated the Tunis plain and the 9th Corps advancing on the morning of 6 May. The village of Massicault, which had been prepared for hedgehog defence, fell without resistance. By the afternoon the US 1st Infantry Division had gained their objective, and the British 6th and 7th Armoured Divisions, swept forward and entered Tunis on 7 May.<ref>"On 7 May the armour rolled into Tunis, taking many Axis forces by surprise. Some enemy troops even emerged from bars and restaurants, with stunned stares, and surrendered without a fight." The Decisive Campaigns of the Desert Air Force 1942-1945, Bryn Evans, p. 88, Pen and Sword, 2014</ref> On the same day the US 2nd Corps and Free French ''Corps d'Afrique'' took Bizerta.  

As the US 2nd Corps units pushed on to cut the Bizerte-Tunis road, they found surrendering Axis units clogging the roads, impeding further advance. Several German commanders had already been flown out, and entire German divisions began surrendering on 9 May<ref>"At 11 a.m. yesterday Major General Krause, commanding artillery of the Africa corps sent an emissary to Maj. Gen. Omar N. Bradley and requested an armistice so the surrender might be negotiated ... The wholescale surrender of the enemy battalions began and by early afternoon all the northern region where the enemy had been cut off by the wedge the British First Army drove through was cleaned up. The bulk of the German armor was there and the total of prisoners was over 25,000, in addition to another 25,000 taken by the British. Five other generals were among those who surrendered wit Krause. They were Major General Borowitz, commander of the 15th armored division; Major General Neuffer, commander of the air force artillery division; Lieutenant General Bülowius commander of the Mannteuffel division; Major General Von Vaerst, commander of the Fifth Armored Army; and Major General Baumsenge, commander of the Bizerte Air Forces." [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=336&dat=19430510&id=aNdjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hn8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6139,1068195&hl=en Six Nazi Generals Captured In North Africa, The Deseret News, 10 May 1943]</ref><ref>"Major General Karl Robert Max Bülowius quickly joined von Vaerst, Krause and Borowietz as an allied POW when he too surrendered his unit, the Manteuffel Division on May 9, 1943. As the North African campaign continued to collapse, other German generals from Armeed Gruppe Afrika arrived in Alled hands as well, including Major General Carl Peter Bernard Köchy." Hitler's Generals in America: Nazi POWs and Allied Military Intelligence, Derek R. Mallett, p. 248, University Press of Kentucky, 2013</ref>, including 30,000 German POWs that surrendered to a British armoured car squadron.<ref>"The German fighting spirit ebbed to nothingness and tens of thousands of Nazi soldiers threw up their arms and raised white flags in surrender to a squadron of British armored cars that reached Cape Bon's Lighthouse Hill at 3 p.m. today ... The Germans made no real attempt to hold Cape Bon. They quit cold. I could have outfitted a division with the rifles, machine guns and artillery discarded by the enemy along the 40-mile road from the neck to the tip of Bon peninsula along which I drove behind a string of armoured cars since noon ... Hitler fed them well, dressed them well and inspired them with what they thought almost a holy mission. But they did not fight today. They quit. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19430513&id=5DcxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AWoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3882,6649318&hl=enGerman Fighting Spirit Missing As Troops Rush To Surrender, By Daniel De Luce, Associated Press Staff Writer, 11 May 1943]</ref>

As the US 2nd Corps units pushed on to cut the Bizerte-Tunis road, they found surrendering Axis units clogging the roads, impeding further advance. Several German commanders had already been flown out, and entire German divisions began surrendering on 9 May,<ref>"At 11 a.m. yesterday Major General Krause, commanding artillery of the Africa corps sent an emissary to Maj. Gen. Omar N. Bradley and requested an armistice so the surrender might be negotiated ... The wholescale surrender of the enemy battalions began and by early afternoon all the northern region where the enemy had been cut off by the wedge the British First Army drove through was cleaned up. The bulk of the German armor was there and the total of prisoners was over 25,000, in addition to another 25,000 taken by the British. Five other generals were among those who surrendered wit Krause. They were Major General Borowitz, commander of the 15th armored division; Major General Neuffer, commander of the air force artillery division; Lieutenant General Bülowius commander of the Mannteuffel division; Major General Von Vaerst, commander of the Fifth Armored Army; and Major General Baumsenge, commander of the Bizerte Air Forces." [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=336&dat=19430510&id=aNdjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hn8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6139,1068195&hl=en Six Nazi Generals Captured In North Africa, The Deseret News, 10 May 1943]</ref><ref>"Major General Karl Robert Max Bülowius quickly joined von Vaerst, Krause and Borowietz as an allied POW when he too surrendered his unit, the Manteuffel Division on May 9, 1943. As the North African campaign continued to collapse, other German generals from Armeed Gruppe Afrika arrived in Alled hands as well, including Major General Carl Peter Bernard Köchy." Hitler's Generals in America: Nazi POWs and Allied Military Intelligence, Derek R. Mallett, p. 248, University Press of Kentucky, 2013</ref> including 30,000 German POWs that surrendered to a British armoured car squadron.<ref>"The German fighting spirit ebbed to nothingness and tens of thousands of Nazi soldiers threw up their arms and raised white flags in surrender to a squadron of British armored cars that reached Cape Bon's Lighthouse Hill at 3 p.m. today ... The Germans made no real attempt to hold Cape Bon. They quit cold. I could have outfitted a division with the rifles, machine guns and artillery discarded by the enemy along the 40-mile road from the neck to the tip of Bon peninsula along which I drove behind a string of armoured cars since noon ... Hitler fed them well, dressed them well and inspired them with what they thought almost a holy mission. But they did not fight today. They quit. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19430513&id=5DcxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AWoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3882,6649318&hl=enGerman Fighting Spirit Missing As Troops Rush To Surrender, By Daniel De Luce, Associated Press Staff Writer, 11 May 1943]</ref>

The British 56th ''Black Cat'' Division and 1st Free French Division took several of the Italian-held peaks in the region of Takrouna during the period 6 May 6 to 13  May, 1943, but with severe losses.<ref>"The New Zealanders around Takrouna estimated that 20,000 enemy were still in front of them, so SRY supported the newly arrived 56 (Black Cat) Division fresh from Syria in an attack on the 11th/12th May. Alas there was no success and many casualties.."  Monty's Marauders, Patrick Delaforce Pen and Sword, 2008</ref>

The British 56th ''Black Cat'' Division and 1st Free French Division took several of the Italian-held peaks in the region of Takrouna during the period 6 May 6 to 13  May 1943, but with severe losses.<ref>"The New Zealanders around Takrouna estimated that 20,000 enemy were still in front of them, so SRY supported the newly arrived 56 (Black Cat) Division fresh from Syria in an attack on the 11th/12th May. Alas there was no success and many casualties.."  Monty's Marauders, Patrick Delaforce Pen and Sword, 2008</ref>

<ref>"On May 12th this Italian force was still resisting from positions just north of Enfidaville. A French division attacking their right was repulsed and then counterattacked. The Air Force, being called upon for aid, made a strong bombing attack at 1530, supported by all the artillery whose fire could be brought to bear."  Finale in Tunisia, Colonel Conrad H. Lanza, Page. 488, The Field Artillery, July 1943</ref>

<ref>"On May 12th this Italian force was still resisting from positions just north of Enfidaville. A French division attacking their right was repulsed and then counterattacked. The Air Force, being called upon for aid, made a strong bombing attack at 1530, supported by all the artillery whose fire could be brought to bear."  Finale in Tunisia, Colonel Conrad H. Lanza, Page. 488, The Field Artillery, July 1943</ref>

<ref>[http://www.queensroyalsurreys.org.uk/ww2/middle_east/qme025.shtml Enfidaville]</ref>

<ref>[http://www.queensroyalsurreys.org.uk/ww2/middle_east/qme025.shtml Enfidaville]</ref>