Difference between revisions of "Battle of Tunis"
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The Battle Tunis (5–7 May 1943) was an engagement between Allied and Axis forces during the [[Tunisian Campaign]]. Tunis and its neighbouring town of Bizerta in Tunisia were two important sea ports and their capture would result in the defeat of the remaining Axis forces in North Africa. | The Battle Tunis (5–7 May 1943) was an engagement between Allied and Axis forces during the [[Tunisian Campaign]]. Tunis and its neighbouring town of Bizerta in Tunisia were two important sea ports and their capture would result in the defeat of the remaining Axis forces in North Africa. | ||
| − | Preceded on 5 May by a German attack to recover Bou Aoukas, the main Allied attack was delivered on the next day. The Allied infantry assault, preceded by heavy air attacks and artillery bombardment, broke through the Axis mountain strongpoints and opened a gap for the supporting armour to advance through the open country. Delivered on a narrow front and aimed straight at Tunis through Massicault, it was a labelled a "blitzkrieg attack"<ref>[http://www.thewarillustrated.info/155/the-battle-fronts.asp The Battle Fronts]</ref>and in a matter of a few hours completely broke the whole German defence line. | + | Preceded on 5 May by a German attack to recover Jebel Bou Aoukas, the main Allied attack was delivered on the next day. The Allied infantry assault, preceded by heavy air attacks and artillery bombardment, broke through the Axis mountain strongpoints and opened a gap for the supporting armour to advance through the open country. Delivered on a narrow front and aimed straight at Tunis through Massicault, it was a labelled a "blitzkrieg attack"<ref>[http://www.thewarillustrated.info/155/the-battle-fronts.asp The Battle Fronts]</ref>and in a matter of a few hours completely broke the whole German defence line. |
==Fall of Tunis and Bizerta== | ==Fall of Tunis and Bizerta== | ||
Revision as of 05:54, September 17, 2016
The Battle Tunis (5–7 May 1943) was an engagement between Allied and Axis forces during the Tunisian Campaign. Tunis and its neighbouring town of Bizerta in Tunisia were two important sea ports and their capture would result in the defeat of the remaining Axis forces in North Africa.
Preceded on 5 May by a German attack to recover Jebel Bou Aoukas, the main Allied attack was delivered on the next day. The Allied infantry assault, preceded by heavy air attacks and artillery bombardment, broke through the Axis mountain strongpoints and opened a gap for the supporting armour to advance through the open country. Delivered on a narrow front and aimed straight at Tunis through Massicault, it was a labelled a "blitzkrieg attack"[1]and in a matter of a few hours completely broke the whole German defence line.
Fall of Tunis and Bizerta
The final Allied offensive began on 5 May, with the 5th Corps gaining the hills which dominated the Tunis plain and the 9th Corps advancing in bright starlight on the morning of 6 May. The village of Massicault, which had been prepared for hedgehog defence, fell without resistance. By the afternoon their infantry had gained their objective, and the 6th and 7th Armoured Divisions, swept forward and entered Tunis on 7 May.
On the same day the U.S. 2nd Corps and Free French Corps d'Afrique took Bizerta, a fortress designed and equipped to stand a long siege .
By 9 May the 5th Panzer Armee in the northern pocket had surrendered, with 250 German tanks falling into Allied hands. The divisions of the Allied 1st Army then turned to assist in the capture of the Italian 1st Army, which they achieved between 11-13 May.
Tunisgrad
The German civilians referred to this battle as "Tunisgrad".[2]At the first signs of retreat, U.S. and British armour, without hesitation or delay, started in fierce pursuit; and the Axis units never succeeded in rallying effectively in spite of the strong defences available. The heavy counter-attacks which von Arnim had delivered earlier on in defence of Longstop Hill and Hill 609 may explain the ability of the German forces to offer prolonged resistance. When the final Allied attacks came, General von Arnim's reserves were either exhausted or in the wrong place.
Notes
- ↑ The Battle Fronts
- ↑ "A total of 170,000 prisoners went into captivity, a disaster that some Germans referred to with grim humor as "Tunisgrad". In reality more Axis soldiers surrendered here than at Stalingrad." World War II, Michael J. Lyons, Routledge, 2016
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