1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 22–27 FEBRUARY 1942 ]
arriving from W Algeria after 4-day forced march.
Limited enemy thrust toward Tébessa is contained
by CCB of 1st Armd Div, reinf by elements of
RCT 16, 1st Div.
USSR—Enemy opens counteroffensive toward
Kharkov from Stalino.
22 February
TUNISIA—18 Army Group: In Br First Army’s
U.S. II Corps area, enemy continues offensive until
afternoon, when Rommel abandons effort to
drive through to Le Kef and orders withdrawal.
Attack is broken off and enemy starts back toward
Kasserine Pass, leaving many mines behind. 1st
Armd Div assumes command of Nicholson’s force
at Thala and of its own CCB.
USSR—On central front, Soviet forces open offensive
in Orel–Bryansk area and renew efforts to
take Rzhev.
23 February
TUNISIA—Rommel assumes command of German
Army Group, Africa, as Axis forces continue
reorganization.
18 Army Group: Gen Alexander informs Gen
Montgomery that situation at Kasserine has improved
and orders him not to take undue risks.
In Br First Army’s U.S. II Corps area, final enemy
forces withdraw into Kasserine Pass during
morning, followed unaggressively by Allied forces.
Enemy and Allied planes are active during day.
USSR—Sumy, in the Ukraine NW of Kharkov,
falls to Red Army.
24 February
TUNISIA—18 Army Group: In Br First Army’s
U.S. II Corps area, CCB of 1st Armd Div and 26th
Armd Brig of Br 6th Armd Div continue to follow
withdrawing enemy. 1st Armd Div prepares
to attack to recover Kasserine Pass; attached 16th
Inf, 1st Div, is to lead off on 25th. RCT 26 (—2d
and 3d Bns), reverting to 1st Div control, moves
to El Ma el Abiod to defend pass.
In Br Eighth Army area, Gen Montgomery
orders 7th Armd and 51st Inf Divs to maintain
pressure on enemy along coast and on Gabès road,
respectively.
25 February
SWPA-S PACIFIC—Rough draft of long-range
plan for advance to the Philippines (RENO) is
drawn up.
RUSSELL Is.—Torpedo boat base at Wernham
Cove becomes operational.
[ 95 ]
TUNISIA—18 Army Group: In Br First Army
area, U.S. II Corps, hampered only by mines and
booby traps, recovers Kasserine Pass. 9th Div is
concentrating in Tébessa area under corps command.
U.K.—RAF begins round-the-clock air offensive
against enemy.
26 February
SWPA—All units of the U.S. Army in SWPA and
all elements of the Philippine Army called into the
service of the USA are assigned to USAFFE, which
has been inactive since April 1942.
BURMA—Pipeline that is to parallel Ledo Road
gets high priority from CCS. Royal Ind Navy
launches sink enemy launch loaded with troops and
damage another N of Ramree I.
TUNISIA—18 Army Group: In Br First Army’s
5 Corps area, German 5th Panzer Army, under von
Arnim, opens offensive on broad front, threatening
Bédja and Medjez el Bab. On N, attacks W of
Jefna are contained. Br outpost at Sidi Nsir, on
road from Mateur to Bédja, is overwhelmed after
vigorous battle that gains time for 46th Div to concentrate
for defense of pass to Bédja. Attack on
Medjez itself is repulsed, but in region to S enemy
makes deep penetration that is contained N
of El Aroussa. 38th Brig contains attack N of Bou
Arada, but is in an exposed position because of
enemy’s success to N. Gen K. A. N. Anderson, to
strengthen defenses of Goubellat–Bou Arada region,
forms provisional div, called Y, from 38th
Brig and 1st Para Brig. In U.S. II Corps area, RCT
16 reverts to 1st Div, which assumes responsibility
for Kasserine Pass and for maintaining contact
with 34th Div, which comes under II Corps
command. 1st Armd Div is assembling as reserve
S of Tébessa.
In Br Eighth Army area, Gen Montgomery sets
20 March as D Day for attack on Mareth Line
(PUGILIST); expects to have sufficient troops and
supplies in forward area by 4 March. Because of
enemy movements, Gen Alexander warns Gen
Montgomery that enemy will attack as soon as
possible.
27 February
NEW GUINEA—162d Inf, U.S. 41st Div, reaches
Milne Bay.
TUNISIA—18 Army Group: In Br First Army’s 5
Corps area, hard fighting continues around Bédja,
but enemy is unable to advance. In U.S. II Corps
area, 9th Div relieves 1st Div at El Ma el Abiod and
Dernaa Pass, NW of Fériana, and 1st Div assembles
E of Tébessa.