1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 5–9 APRIL 1943 ]
Br Eighth Army, preparing for assault on Wadi
Akarit line, has nearly 500 tanks concentrated in
the region.
5 April
BURMA—Japanese gain control of Mayu Peninsula
as far N as Indin and overrun hq of 6th Brig.
By this time, Ind 26th Div has taken over the front
from Ind 14th Div.
TUNISIA—18 Army Group: In U.S. II Corps
area, stalemate continues as enemy halts all efforts
of 1st and 9th Divs to advance. II Corps takes precautionary
measures to meet enemy attack, which
hostile concentrations are interpreted to indicate.
When no attack materializes, it is correctly anticipated
that enemy is preparing instead to withdraw.
Gen Ernest Harmon assumes command of 1st Armd
Div, replacing Gen Ward.
In Br First Army’s 5 Corps area, 4th Div assumes
command of sector NE of Bédja.
6 April
TUNISIA—18 Army Group: In U.S. II Corps
area, while 1st and 9th Divs press forward toward
general line intended originally for first phase, TF
Benson of 1st Armd Div follows up closely and
reaches road junction NE of Djebel Berda. As a
diversion in the Maknassy area, CCB attacks Djebel
Maïzila, and CCC demonstrates at Djebel Naemia.
After nightfall enemy disengages and for the most
part withdraws eastward under cover of arty fire.
II Corps is ordered to apply maximum pressure
on 7th.
Br Eighth Army begins assault on Wadi Akarit
line, from which enemy begins withdrawing, night
6–7. 30 Corps jumps off before dawn with 51st Div
on right, 50th in center, and Ind 4th on left. Progress
is made, particularly on flanks, but tenacious
resistance and counterattacks prevent a complete
breakthrough. 10 Corps, which is to drive through
30 Corps’ bridgehead, moves forward at noon.
NZ 2d Div, which reverts to corps, leads drive.
7 April
SOLOMON Is.—Intensifying their aerial offensive
against Allied shipping and aircraft, Japanese attack
Guadalcanal area in force, employing 71 bombers
and 117 fighters. 3 Allied vessels are sunk: NZ
corvette Moa, U.S. oiler Kanawha, and U.S. DD
Aaron Ward. Japanese plane losses in this action far
outnumber Allied losses of 7 fighters.
TUNISIA—18 Army Group: All available aircraft
of XII Air Support Command and WDAF
attack enemy, who is retreating in all sectors. 9
[ 103 ]
Corps completes preparations for assault on Fondouk,
designed to block northward retreat of enemy
from Akarit line. Commanding officers reach agreement
on final details and decide to open attack at
0300 on 8th. U.S. II Corps makes contact with Br
Eighth Army and SE Algerian Command on
Gafsa–Gabès road. TF Benson, ordered to push forward
relentlessly and without regard to cost, advances
steadily SE toward Gabès and in afternoon
makes contact with 10 Corps of Br Eighth Army,
then pulls back to help mop up. 9th Div begins
movement to Bou Chebka area, night 7–8, turning
over its sector to 1st Div, which is to conduct
mopping up.
Br Eighth Army, with 30 Corps on right and 10
Corps on left, pursues rapidly retreating enemy
northward to general line Cekhira–Sedkret en
Noual.
In Br First Army area, 5 Corps opens offensive
to clear Bédja–Medjez el Bab road and thereby
remove enemy threat to Medjez. 78th Div, with
close air and arty support, begins attack N of Oued
Zarga.
8 April
TUNISIA—18 Army Group: 9 Corps opens attack
on Fondouk before dawn, U.S. 34th Div and
elements of 46th Div leading off in effort to clear
gap through which 6th Armd Div is to debouch for
drive on Kairouan. On the N, 128th Brig of 46th
Div advances through hills E of Pichon to Djebel
Rhorab. S of gap, 34th Div, with 135th Inf on N
and 133d on S, is prevented by intense ground and
air bombardment from reaching its first objective,
lower slopes of Djebel el Haouareb, although tanks
are committed in support of infantry. Attack is supported
by arty fire, beginning at dawn, but scheduled
air attacks are canceled because of weather
conditions.
In Br First Army area, Fr 19th Corps, ordered to
seize Djebel Ousselat and Eastern Dorsal in order
to assist attack of Br 9 Corps, advances to positions
N and NE of Pichon. 5 Corps is methodically clearing
mountainous region N of Bédja–Medjez el Bab
road.
9 April
TUNISIA—18 Army Group: In 9 Corps area,
while infantry of 46th and U.S. 34th Divs continue
efforts to clear heights dominating Fondouk Pass,
6th Armd Div is committed at 1500 to speed the
operation and succeeds in forcing the pass, but at
heavy cost in tanks. Meanwhile, 128th Brig of 46th
Div clears Djebel Rhorab, U.S. 34th Div is unable to
clear Djebel el Haouareb during day but gains its
crest in night attack by 1st Bn, 133d Inf. 1st Armd
Div, U.S. II Corps, moves northward to positions