1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 27 APRIL–1 MAY 1943 ]
rather than SE toward Jefna position as planned,
since French are unable to advance in region N of
Djebel Dardyss. RCT 39, now solely responsible for
outflanking the Jefna position, takes Hill Sri, SE of
Djebel Aïnchouna. Continuing holding action along
highway, RCT 47 finds enemy disposed in force on
Hill 598, SW of Djebel Aired. 34th Div takes over
zone in Djebel Grembil–Hill 575 region, between
9th and 1st Divs, and prepares for drive on Hill 609
(Djebel Tahent). Enemy positions on hills in this
area are being softened by arty fire. On S flank, 1st
Div gains its initial objectives, permitting 1st Armd
Div to take over Tine valley zone at 2200 in preparation
for armored drive through enemy’s second
line of defense to Mateur.
In Br First Army’s 5 Corps area, 78th Div finishes
clearing Djebel el Ahmera. 1st Div reaches
Djebel Bou Aoukaz, 4 miles from Djebel el Ahmera.
On main road to Tunis, 4th Div reaches positions 7
miles E of Medjez el Bab. 9 Corps is now opposed
on Goubellat plain by 3 enemy armd divs that contain
further efforts to advance. 6th Armd Div is
withdrawn into reserve. Fr 19th Corps continues to
pursue enemy northward toward Pont-du-Fahs,
reaching Djebel Fkirine.
27 April
TUNISIA—18 Army Group: U.S. II Corps continues
offensive with 4 divs in assault, its major
objective now being the Jefna position, Hill 609
(Djebel Tahent), and Mateur. Column of 39th Inf,
9th Div, reaches Hill 382, NW of Djebel Azag,
where it is stalled for 4 days by firmly entrenched
enemy. 34th Div begins drive on Hill 609: RCT
168, on N, reaches slopes of Djebel el Hara; RCT
135, to right, drives to Hill 490, just W of 609,
but is forced to withdraw. 1st Div patrols reach
Djebel el Ang. 1st Armd Div begins attack on S
flank of corps, CCA (6th Armd Inf, reinf) making
main effort. Attack fails to gain immediate objectives—Hills
299 and 315, NE of Djebel el Ang—
and elements are forced back from Hill 312, from
which attack on Hill 315 was made.
In Br First Army area, 5 Corps’ advance is
checked by series of determined enemy counterattacks.
4th Div is forced to withdraw its left flank
at Ksar Tyr.
28 April
TUNISIA—18 Army Group: In U.S. II Corps
area, 9th Div continues E astride the Sedjenane,
reaching Kraim Lerhmed on N and Kef Saban on
S. RCT 39 clears hills generally N of Hill 382, but
enemy retains 382. In center of II Corps area, main
effort is made to clear approaches to Hill 609, which
is hampering forward movement of 34th and 1st
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Divs. While 34th Div’s RCT 168 clears Djebel el
Hara, RCT 135 occupies Hill 490 and withstands
counterattacks against it. In conjunction with 34th
Div, RCT 16 of 1st Div secures foothold on Hill
531, S of 609. RCT 26 reaches Djebel el Anz against
strong resistance. RCT 18, to S, clears part of Djebel
Sidi Meftah. On corps S flank, CCA of 1st Armd
Div takes Hill 315 and part of Hill 299, where
enemy is resisting strongly.
In Br First Army area, 5 Corps is largely successful
in containing enemy counterattacks along its
front.
29 April
TUNISIA—18 Army Group: Gen Alexander decides
to reinforce Br First Army for final push to
clear rest of Tunisia.
In U.S. II Corps area, RCT 60 of 9th Div reaches
Djebel Hazemat, N of Sedjenane R; pushes closer
to Kef en Nsour, S of river. RCT 39 continues outflanking
action toward Jefna on N while RCT 47
patrols actively toward Djebels Azag and Aired,
reaching W slope of Azag. 34th Div makes limited
progress against Hill 609, getting elements on S
slopes. RCT 16 of 1st Div begins attack on Hill
523, strongpoint E of Hill 609, but makes little
headway. Rest of 1st Div front is relatively quiet
as positions on Djebel el Anz and Djebel Sidi Meftah
are consolidated. CCA, 1st Armd Div, continues
to clear Hill 299 against determined opposition.
30 April
ALEUTIAN IS.—Attu assault convoy arrives at
Cold Harbor, where final attack plan is adopted.
TUNISIA—18 Army Group: Gen Alexander
calls on Br Eighth Army to supply reinforcements
for Br First Army in preparation for final assault.
Gen Montgomery agrees to release 7th Armd Div,
Ind 4th Div, and 201st Gds Brig, all veteran units.
U.S. II Corps makes substantial gains: On N,
RCT 60 of 9th Div takes Djebel Guermach, a short
distance from Kef en Nsour; RCT 39 seizes the
strongly contested Hill 382 and other heights N of
the Jefna position. 34th Div drives to summit of Hill
609 in tank-supported assault but is subjected to intense
fire there. RCT 16, 1st Div, takes a hills E of
Hill 609 but loses both to persistent counterattacks;
1st Armd Div provides tank assistance in the area.
On S flank, 1st Armd Div retains Hill 299 under
enemy fire, but the hill is not yet entirely free of
enemy.
1 May
TUNISIA—18 Army Group: Begins regrouping
for final offensive.