1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 106 ] [ 23–26 APRIL 1943 ]
and 4th Div, Goubellat. 9 Corps attacks on Goubellat
plain, between Medjez el Bab and Bou Arada, in
effort to destroy enemy’s armored reserve and support
5 Corps to N. 46th Div advances steadily in
region N of Sebkret el Kourzia but is hampered SW
of these salt marshes by enemy defenses and mines.
6th Armd Div is committed in late afternoon and
upon attacking through infantry is strongly opposed
by enemy armor.
23 April
NEW GUINEA—Aus Kanga Force in Mubo area
is dissolved and Aus 3d Div takes over. Stalemate
exists in this sector, where Australians hold broken
line Mubo–Komiatum–Bobdubi.
TUNISIA—18 Army Group: U.S. II Corps begins
drive on Bizerte early in morning, making
main effort on right. On N flank, 9th Div, reinf
by Corps Franc d’Afrique, which is disposed along
coast on extreme N and directed on Kef en Nsour,
attacks toward Jefna position on highway between
Djebel Abiod and Mateur, key points of which are
Djebel Azag (Green Hill) and Djebel Ajred (Bald
Hill). While RCT 47 conducts holding action along
highway, RCT’s 39 and 60 make outflanking attacks
in hills to N, RCT 39 attacking toward Djebel
Aïnchouna and RCT 60, farther N, pushing eastward
from Djebels Mergueb and Msid. Satisfactory
progress is made on div flanks, but RCT 39 is slowed
in center by stubborn opposition on Djebel
Aïnchouna. On S flank of II Corps, 1st Div, reinf
by 6th Armd Inf of 1st Armd Div, which is disposed
on extreme S, attacks toward Djebel Sidi
Meftah. On N, RCT 26 attempts to take Hill 575
(Kef el Goraa) but is halted short of it. In center,
RCT 16 fights indecisively for Hill 400. On S,
RCT 18 begins clearing N side of the Tine, and
attached 6th Armd Inf is similarly employed S of
the river; enemy is driven from Hill ago but retains
Hill 407, to NW.
In Br First Army area, 5 Corps’ 78th Div clears
enemy remnants from Djebel Tanngouche and continues
along Djebel el Ahmera ridge, clearing all but
NE slopes. In 9 Corps area, tank battles continue
on Goubellat plain, where enemy is bringing mobile
reserves forward.
U.K.—CCS issue directive for establishment of
an Anglo-American staff to plan for invasion of
western Europe. Lt Gen Sir Frederick E. Morgan,
as Chief of Staff to the Supreme Allied Commander
(designate), is to head the new headquarters. The
initial letters of his title, COSSAC, come to stand
for his office.
24 April
U.S.—Main body of Attu invasion force sails
from San Francisco for Cold Harbor, Alaska.
TUNISIA—18 Army Group: In U.S. II Corps
area, 9th Div continues to press toward Jefna position.
On N, RCT 60 takes Djebel Dardyss. RCT
39, in center, suffers heavy casualties as it battles
determined enemy on Djebel Aïnchouna. 1st Div
places softening fire on Hill 575 (Kef el Goraa)
throughout day and to right, in sector of RCT 16,
secures hill positions and thus removes threat of
envelopment. RCT 18 seizes Hill 407 while 6th
Armd Inf fights vigorously for Hill 388. Germans
begin withdrawal from 1st Div front during night
24–25. At the same time RCT 168, 34th Div, takes
over N flank positions of 1st Div.
In Br First Army’s 5 Corps area, 78th Div continues
to clear Djebel el Ahmera while 1st and 4th
Divs press eastward astride Medjez el Bab–Tunis
highway. In 9 Corps area, indecisive tank and infantry
battles continue on Goubellat plain. Little
progress is made, although 1st Armd Div is committed
and follows 6th Armd Div E.
25 April
TUNISIA—18 Army Group: In U.S. II Corps
area, RCT 39 of 9th Div finishes clearing Djebel
Aïnchouna. Enemy begins withdrawal from 9th
Div zone night 25–26. RCT 168, 34th Div, moves
forward in conjunction with 1st Div units to right,
taking over mopping-up operations. 1st Div follows
up enemy withdrawal on S flank of corps. RCT 26
occupies Hill 575 early in day and presses on to
Djebel Touta. Advance elements of RCT 18 reach
W end of Djebel Sidi Meftah. 6th Armd Inf takes
previously contested hills on S side of Tine R and
patrols eastward.
In Br First Army’s 5 Corps area, Heïdous falls to
78th Div. 9 Corps continues tank battles in vicinity
of Sebkret el Kourzia without appreciable success
within its own zone, but forcing enemy to withdraw
exposed salient to right. Fr 19th Corps makes substantial
progress as enemy withdraws salient S of
Bou Arada–Pont–du Fahs road.
26 April
ALEUTIAN IS.—U.S. surface force bombards
enemy installations at Chichagof Harbor and Holtz
Bay, Attu. This is the second naval bombardment
of Attu.
SWPA—GHQ issues ELKTON III, superseding
two previous ELKTON plans, calling for mutually
supporting advances in S Pacific and SWPA toward
Rabaul, the whole operation being under the code
name CARTWHEEL.
TUNISIA—18 Army Group: On U.S. II Corps’
9th Div front, RCT 60 swings NE toward Kef en
Nsour, previous objective of Corps Franc d’Afrique,