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

26th Infantry Regiment (leas the 2nd Battalion)
33rd Field Artillery Battalion
3. Defensive Set-up_of the American II Corps, in Southern TUNISIA.
Importance of the FAIR PASS
The Southern Tunisian Sector, assigned to the American II Corps, included a stretch of wild desert
country, covering a frontage of 200 miles . It was interspersed with a series of precipitous mountain ridges,
extending from Northeast to Southwest. The PAID PASS (located in the north central portion of Southern
TUNISIA) provided the most practicable route of approach, through the south end of the GRAND DORSAL
Mountain Range. Control of this Pass was vitally important .
For the Allies , their control of the Pas: would deny the movement of Gemun mechanized
forces into the western areas, of Southern TUNISIA .
For the Germans , their control of the Pass would provide the most feasible, direct route of .
approach for their mechanized forces, in their future plans for offensive action, which were based on
securing more maneuver space to the west . Additional maneuver space would be needed later by tU
German Africa Corps, then withdrawing in the East, towards TUNISIA, before the advancing British 8th
Army .
Early Operations in the FAIR PASS
_Task
The tactical importance of the FAIR PASS had been apparent, since Dec. . '42, to the commanders
of the allied
included;
Forces, who first operat ed in Southern TUNISIA. These early Task Force units
The 3rd Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment , of the 1st Infantry Division, (Lt . Col. John Bowers,
Comdg .) . This battalion was then based on GAFSA, with instructions to outpost the GAFSA-SENED
area, and to reconnoiter east and northeast thereof .
Elements of the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment (Lt . Col . Edson D . Raff,
Comdg .) .
One Company of Tank Destroyer (commanded by Capt . Gilbert Ellma n) .
Detached Infantry - Artillery elements from the French Coastantiae Division, (Gen . Welvert ;
Comdg .) .
The strategic value of the FAID PASS seemed obvious to Raff and Bowers . So, while acting on their
own initiative In that area, they decided to take the place, for self-protection . With a makeshift Task
Force, made up from these units noted above, they took the Pass in a surprise !~&Irt attack , arty in
Dec . '42 .
Lt . Col . Raff then arranged with Gen. Welvert to garrison the Pass with elements of the French
Constantine Division ; as it was necessary for Lt . Col. Bowers to return with his Battalion to the GAFSA-
FERIANA area .
Had the Allied High Command seen fit, _at that time , to organize a s~ defending force for the
for the FAIR PASS, with adequate artillery andanti-tank support, a great dal of their liter difficulties,