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

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the attack comes to a standstill .
strong
The tank attack launched in the afternoon
is stopped by the/mine bmd blocks at the pass . However at 1600 hours fM1
712 is taken and in the evening hours stubborn fighting forces the violently
resisting eneny to gall back to the north, though it is not possible to break
through the well fortified defensive positions. ( Annex 111 6)
The 7.Bers.Rgt. coming from the Gafsa area arrives toward noon in
Feriana, and with the reinforced company of the lw.Jg.Brig .l which has also
arrived there, will be committed for the defense of the left flank west and
northwest of Thelepte on the road leading in the direction of Tabessa . There-
by the Bers .Bn and the artillery battalion of the Div. Centauro are freed
to be committed by D.A.K . Im compliance with orders they arrive in the after-
noon _ in the . Kasserine, area . The army Eng.Bn.Afrika and 1 mortar battery and
l smoke battery also arrive there for the reinforcement of the combat group
of the D.).K . and are_ placed under the control of the combat group . ( Annex 1117)
At 0830 hours the 21.Pz.Div.,starts from SbeitR& to the north . (teak
energy forces -probably combat outposts- in the region 8 ~:m south of Sbiba
are pushed back at 1100 hours . At 1230 hours, 1} k m south of Sbiba the division
a
runs against/comparatively strong enery in impanved positions with several
mine fields extending in front of them. After moving into position o£ readiness
and clearing paths free of mines the Pz.Rgt.resumes the attack at 1600 hours .
Because of stronger resistance, new mine lines and rain making the terrain
almost impassable tit is impossible to break through the enemy lines . The
attack comes to a stand still . The division passes to the defensive for re-
grouping . ( Annex 1118)
The l0.Pz .Div . coming from the Kairouan - Pichon area reaches Sbeitla
with his advanced elements only toward the afternoon because of road diffi-
culties . The division which has only half of its cesbat strength because a
considerable part of its elements tkre committed and iTwiobilized on the north