Changes

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 Division 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 Division 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 January 24 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 January 24 1943, despite coming under heavy anti-aircraft fire, the 14th Bersaglieri Battalion dug-in and around Djebel Rihana defeat the initial attacks from the US 26th Regimental Combat Team and 443rd Anti-Aircraft Battalion.

On January 30,  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 US 2nd Army Corps. The US 1st Armored Division, which had established itself in the saddle of the Faid Pass, was overrun. Gafsa was also abandoned.

On January 30,  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 US 2nd Army Corps. The US 1st Armored Division, which had established itself in the saddle of the Faid Pass, was overrun. Gafsa was also abandoned.