KASSERINE PASS BATTLES Readings - US Army Center Of Military ...

Operations Section German Italina Panzer Army C .P .
22 February t43 0030 h .
to
German rzonoral in Boma
'O.B .S. Xflbrungsabtlg u.Arbeitsstab
0.K.W.Af..F.St.
0.K H. Army G. S .
Day report 22 kbbruary_ '43
I, General
A continuation of the attack appears to be pointless on account of the
continuous reinforcements o£ enemy forces during 22 Mo., -the adverse weather
vdzioh rendors the terrain impassable outside of the hard surface roads, and
the inareasing difficulties of co=itting mobile troops in the unfaiorable
mountain region= also because of the poor combat value of the troops.
breaking
Tharotore the AruW, after causing the ©ne7 heavy losses and
up his conoentration, in agreement vrith O.S.Md ordered in tlia afternoon a
ocaaation of the attack and a withdravial of the attacking troops .
Additional groun3 for the decision was the fact that the situation a .-
the ?:xreth front mmkes a rapid shift of Ue mobile troops of both armies ns-
cossary to give the envW:who is not yet ready for the attack, a swift blow
in his assembled forces aria thereVy force hits to dalay it. During the night
vatt.druar
of 22/23 fob. the Army vi 11 xM the 10th Pz . Div. and Kampfgru,LPe D.A.K.
the roads and the trail first to the pass position north of Easserins,
I-. ...._...._. . . .,_._.
and then iu additional bounds Trill have all units including the 21st Pz .Div .
and Div. Centauro roach the point of, departure of the operation.
. In view of the weak forces and the necessity of concentrating all =bile
elements for an op-ration, out of the fhreth position, this position is held
to be the most favorable .
Partimilarn
The 2lat Pz.Div.held its position south of Sbiba. %nom ap.arently
furthar reinforced ; howovor no onamy attack .