Operation Torch 1942: The invasion of French North Africa (Campaign) by Brian Lane Herder

Author:Brian Lane Herder [Herder, Brian Lane]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9781472820563
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2017-09-21T04:00:00+00:00

Colonel William Cheadle’s 16th RCT lands at Z White Beach near St Leu on the morning of November 8, 1942. The following day, Cheadle’s 1st Battalion gave the Center Task Force its most precarious moment when it was briefly besieged at La Macta. (US Army)

Colonel Greer’s 7,092-strong 18th RCT had departed transports Ettrick, Tegelberg, and Reina del Pacifico and begun landing at Arzew’s Beach Z Green at 0120hrs. Greer’s 3rd Battalion captured the French barracks at Arzew, including 62 prisoners. Around 0600hrs, Major-General Allen departed Reina del Pacifico for shore; minutes later the transport was hit by French artillery. Shortly afterward, US officers broke into the Arzew town hall and compelled the terrified Vichyite mayor to surrender the town via telephone. They were aided by Edgar Hamilton, an American captain in the Foreign Legion who had immediately defected; Hamilton now dispensed valuable intelligence and tactical advice. With the help of a 60mm mortar barrage, 3rd/18th RCT captured the Arzew naval base, including 13 seaplanes fully fueled and armed with torpedoes.

Meanwhile, 1st Battalion, 18th RCT forged inland to seize St Cloud and the Djebel Khar hill to its west. Five French TBC armored cars attacked near Rénan and were destroyed by 37mm antitank guns. At 1200hrs, 18th RCT arrived at St Cloud, a village of 3,500, and the French suddenly gave a fierce account of themselves. Defending St Cloud were no fewer than 400 troops of the 16e RTA and a Foreign Legion battalion armed with 14 75mm guns, four 37mm guns, four 60mm mortars, and eight heavy and 15 light machine guns. At noon, vicious fire repulsed the first American attack, while batteries of the 66e RAA and 68e RAA perched on heights to the northwest bombarded the Americans with 75mm and 155mm fire. Reinforced by 2nd Battalion, 18th RCT and 105mm assault guns of the 18th’s cannon company, the Americans attacked at 1530hrs and were again repelled. Late that afternoon, 3rd/168th RCT arrived from Arzew, and a third attack was planned for 0700hrs, November 9.

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