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

During the night of 19-20 Feb . , the remaining elements of the 1st Infantry Division (including the
Division Special Troops, the 16th Infantry Regiment the 7th Field Artillery Battalion, and the 1st Fngi-
neer Battalion) rolled into their assembly areas near BOU CHEBKA, west of the KASSERINE PASS VALLEY .
13 . Counter-Attack-Orders, issued by the 1st Infantry Division .
Lage on 20 Feb ., warning orders were received, by the lit Division, from the 11 Corps, to be pre-
pared, at daylight, on 21 Feb . . to block the north exit of the KASSERINE PASS VALLEY, and to counter-
attack, from positions west of the KASSERINE PASS VALLEY, against any German forces advancing
north up the Valley . Orders were then issued by the lit Division, as follows :
To have the 16th Infantry Regiment (Col . Fechet, Comdg .) place one battalion, with anti-
tank weapons attached . In position on the DJEBEL HAMRA (north of BOU CHEBKA), prepare d to block
any continued German armored advance, up the KASSERINE VALLEY to the northwest, towards HAIDRA,
or through the Pass, in that area, leading directly west into TEBESSA .
To have the 16th Infantry Regiment counter -attack with its two remaining battalions, from the
west, against the left (west) flank of any German infantry forces, that may advance up the KASSERINE
VALLEY, to the north .
To have the 7th Field Artillery Battalion operate in general support .
To have the 1st Engineer Battalion alerted in Division reserve .
14 . Limit of the German break-through up the KASSERINE VALLEY .
After the Germans had finally over-run both flanks of the KASSERENE PASS defensive position (on
the night of 20-21 Feb .), the German heavy tanks then started rolling north, up the KASSERINE VALLEY,
early on 21 Feb . . followed by the German infantry units . In the meantime, the surviving American
defenders had withdrawn to the north, towards THALA, under heavy enemy pressure .
The British had rushed in their lighter tanks (from the THALA area) very early on 21 Feb . , to support
the hard pressed American units, In the Pass . But these British tanks were little match for the heavier
German 'Tiger' Tanks . Driven back close to THALA, (near the northern exit of the KASSERINE VALLEY),
:he 3dtfih urla wayc fLixlly able to hold in thst area, undo: the close support of the nev-ly an1ved
American artillery units, and Combat Command "B" of the US 1st Armored Division .
At this time, early on 21 _Feb . , '43, the German Panzers had reached the furthest northern limits,
of their hard fought drive fiom the south . After their initial success at FAID, SIDI BOU ZID, and
SBEITLA . and finally in their break-through at the KASSERINE PASS, the Germans were now over-extended ,
and were "Riding for a fall ." The Allied final line of defense, protecting the northern exits of the
KAESERWE VALLEY, had to be held, at all cost .
Both sides were "wobbly and punch drunk ." But, the Allies still had one "Ace left in the hole ."
The last remaining elements of the 1st Infantry Division, bad come down from the north, unde r Division
control, and were all set to counter-attack .
16 . Launching of the lst Division Counter-A ttack .
This was the picture, when the newly arrived lit Division units came in at daylight, 21 Feb . '43,
to counter-attack .
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