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

at the time of the German break-through, might have been avoided .
4 . Readjustment of American Forces, in Southern TUNISIA , prior to 14 Feb . . '43 .
Commencing in Jan .
'43, the American units were gradually reinforced in Southern TUNISIA .
The remainder of the 26th Infantry Regimental Combat Team (less the 2nd Battalion, then in
Central TUNISIA), and with the 33rd Field Artillery Battalion attached, arrived in that area late in Jan .
'43 . It was placed initially in a reserve position near SBEETLA (about 32 miles west of FAIR PASS) . At
this time, the 3rd Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, was still in GAFSA .
Combat Command "A", of the 1st Armored Division, came into the area and occupied a
position in the SIDI BOU ZED area, west of the FAID PASS, in Jan . '43 .
During this period, the 168th Infantry Regiment, of the 34th Infantry Division, was in position
on the high ground, northwest of the FAIR PASS .
b . Corps Status of the Southern Tunisian Sector .
Major General Fredenall arrived about 10 Jan ., '43, established the American II Corps CP at
TEBESSA, and assumed command of the II Corps Sector, in Southern TUNISIA .
During this interval, the G-2, of the American II Corps, predicted an all-out German attack against
the FAIR PASS . And, Gen . Fredenall requested reinforcements and an opportunity to regroup the American
forces, in this sector, under better cohesion and control .
But the British 1st Army Headquarters (under which the American II Corps operated) insisted that the
expected German main attack would be launched farther north, in the PICHON area, where it had come
before . Meanwhile, the actual garrison, of the FAIR PASS, still consisted only of the same elements of
the French Constantine Division, which had taken over the defense of the Pass, early in December, '42,
after the Pass had first been captured by the American Task Force . These French Troops were _ill equipped
to stop a determined German mechanized attack .
6 . Recapture of the FAIR PASS . by the Germans, early in Feb . '43 .
Following their recent feints further North, the German Pauzers rook a nia :p c.ac< at the AILled
south flank, in an all-out attack against the FAID PASS, early in Feb . '43 . This was in exact accordance
with the G-2 Intelligence Estimate, previously submitted by the G-2, of the American II Corps .
Smashing Into the Pass with infantry, artillery and tanks . and a few 88's . the Germans were finally
able to snatch the Pass from the French garrison (elements of the French Constantine Division) . But this
was not accomplished until at least half of the gallant but ill-equipped French troops were either killed
or wounded .
An American counter-attack was launched early the next morning, following the German capture of
the Pass, by the 26th Infantry Regimental Combat Team (less two battalions) and Combat Command - A - ,
of the 1st Armored Division . But the counter-attack was not successful . The Germans, having been
reinforced, were able to hold on, and retained complete control of the FAIR PASS .
7. The German Break-ThrouEh Attack, at FAIR PASS- - 14 Feb ., - '43 .
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