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

the entire north and center front of the 5.Pz .Aaunee .
On the basis of these considerations the army has decided to-withdraw
to the area north of Gab es e LwoJg.Brig.I as well as elements of the heavy
army artillery and flak artillery s army reserve for possible employment
at the lbxeth front. These elements were held as reserve at noon already
by D.A.K. upon orders of the army . The transfer will begin in the evening.
Ineddition the Div. Centauro is ordered to commit its forces reinforced by
the 7.Bers.Rgt . in the Gafsa area for defense with front to the north and
the west, and to leave the im-mobile elements of the division as support
in the former positions east and southeast of el Guettar. 'Annex 1097)
The combat group of the D.A.K. -receives the order to hold on 18
Feb. - with the remaining forces
(Pz.Gran.Rgt:Afr ., 1 artillery - bkttalion,
A.A.33, 1 Posed battalion, 1 engineer company, 1 antitank company,
1 Italian ar battalion, 1 Italian artillery battalion) the bridgehead
positions gained just north of Thelepte and to launch strong reconnaissances
against Kasserine and in the direction of Tebessa . Withdrawal in the direction
of Gafsa will be effected only in case of strong, superior enemy attack .
(Attack 1098)
2. Morning and noon report to O.K.H. (Annex In)
Sequence of events .
a . Southeast front :
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18 February 1943
The enemy continues vigorous reconnaissance activities in front of
the reconnaissance group afid of the 15 .Pz .')iv ., but without advancing with
stronger forces . All assaults of enenV armored scout cars are repulsed by
our artillery fire . No largo scale operation is carried out withor in. the
Foum Tatahouine area or against the rearguard position west of Kedenine .
(t:nex 1100)