1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 28–30 MARCH 1943 ]
Inf attempts to advance at night but falls back under
intense fire. 133d Inf (less bn at Algiers) remains at
Sbeïtla to defend it. In SE Algerian Command area,
camel troops occupy Sabria and Rhidma, about 25
and 18 miles, respectively, SW of Kebili.
In Br Eighth Army area, Mareth Line collapses
under blows of 10 and NZ Corps on W, but enemy
retains El Hamma and escape corridor through
which main body withdraws, night 27–28. Axis
efforts to strengthen W flank are belated and ineffective.
1st Armd Div continues toward El Hamma
and repels 2 counterattacks. New Zealanders complete
difficult task of mopping up during night
27–18. Ind 4th Div, 30 Corps, completes operations
to open Médenine–Bir Soltane road.
28 March
U.S.—JCS approve new directive for Gen Mac-
Arthur and Adm Halsey, altering previous directives
of 2 July 1942. Operations are to be confined to the
earlier Task Two, and bases are to be secured in the
Trobriands. Timing is left largely to the discretion
of the commanders. Gen MacArthur is to command
SWPA forces and have general direction of Adm
Halsey’s forces in the Solomons; have strategic control
of Pacific Fleet task forces engaged in the
operations.
NEW GUINEA—MacKechnie Force, named after
Col Archibald R. MacKechnie, CO of 162d Inf, U.S.
41st Div, is formed, largely from 1st Bn of 162d Inf,
to secure Waria R mouth and Morobe harbor.
TUNISIA—18 Army Group: U.S. II Corps opens
major attack toward Gabès from positions near El
Guettar, employing 1st Div on left and 9th (less
RCT 60) on right, in effort to force gap in enemy
positions through which 1st Armd Div can attack.
1st Div, with RCT 18 on left, 26 in center, and 16
on right, renews efforts to advance astride Gumtree
road and makes limited progress on left. 9th Div,
in action as a div for the first time, attacks with
47th Inf from positions on Djebel Berda, previously
abandoned by 18th Inf, toward Hill 369 on Djebel
el Kreroua, an eastern spur of Djebel Berda. Attack
is a costly failure because of well-organized enemy
positions on hills and ridges and confusion arising
from inaccurate maps. 1st and 3d Bns, mistaking
Draa Saada el Hamra ridge for Hill 369, clear it
except for Hill 290 at its tip. 2d Bn and reserve bn
(1st Bn, 39th Inf) become lost for more than a day
while trying to reach Hill 369. 2d Bn, 39th Inf, is
sent after nightfall toward Hill 369 but meets such
heavy fire from Hill 290 that main body falls back
to starting point and stragglers return 36 hours later.
1st Armd Div, which has elements at Gafsa to meet
threat of enemy breakthrough, is ordered to concentrate
additional elements there during night 28–29.
[ 101 ]
On N flank of II Corps, 34th Div continues limited
attack toward Fondouk Gap but is unable to make
much headway. Camel troops of SE Algerian Command
occupy Douz, S of Chott Djerid.
In Br Eighth Army area, 10 Corps continues attack
toward El Hamma, from which enemy withdraws,
night 28–29. NZ Corps pursues enemy northward
toward Gabès. 30 Corps moves forward along
main Mareth–Gabès road, hampered by mines and
demolitions.
In Br First Army area, 5 Corps begins counteroffensive
to recover northern road and relieve pressure
on Medjez el Bab, a dangerously exposed salient.
46th Div, employing 138th Brig, 36th Brig of
78th Div, and 1st Para Brig, assisted on left flank
by Corps d’Afrique and a Tabor of Moroccan
Goumiers, drives steadily eastward despite heavy
rainfall, which is to continue for a week. Enemy
forces in this sector have thinned out.
29 March
TUNISIA—18 Army Group: U.S. II Corps’ operations
in El Guettar and Fondouk areas continue to
make negligible progress against firm resistance.
Plan of attack toward Gabès is changed by 18 Army
Group late in day: 1st Armd Div is to attack on 30th
in effort to break through enemy positions barring
road to Gabès.
Br Eighth Army pursues enemy northward
through Gabès. NZ Corps takes Gabès and Oudref.
30 Corps’ 51st Div overtakes NZ Corps at Gabès.
10 Corps’ 1st Armd Div advances northward from
El Hamma.
30 March
TUNISIA—18 Army Group: U.S. II Corps continues
efforts to break through enemy positions
astride El Guettar–Gabès road. 1st Div secures most
of S part of Djebel el Mcheltat. After preparatory
arty concentrations, 9th Div takes part of Djebel
Lettouchi, eastern spur of Djebel Berda, but cannot
hold it or advance elsewhere. 1st Armd Div’s TF
Benson attacks through infantry at noon but is soon
stopped by enemy fire and mines. Lane is cleared
through mine field at pass between Djebel el
Mcheltat and Hill 369, night 30–31. 34th Div, to N,
continues futile efforts to reach Fondouk Gap. SE
Algerian Command’s camel troops occupy Kebili.
Br Eighth Army’s forward elements make contact
with enemy’s new line along Wadi Akarit. 10 Corps
is ordered to determine whether the Akarit defenses
can be carried by assault with current forces. NZ
Corps, having served its purpose, is abolished.
In Br First Army area, 5 Corps’ 46 Div recaptures
Sedjenane.