The Battle Of Kasserine Pass: An Examination Of Allied Operational Failings by Vincent M. Carr

Author:Vincent M. Carr [Carr, Vincent M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pickle Partners Publishing
Published: 2015-11-06T00:00:00+00:00

Contempt and Distrust.

Beyond piecemeal troop employment and the feelings of jealousy often felt among the national armies, various commanders often harbored feelings of contempt and distrust of their Allied counterparts. Anderson believed the French were extremely sensitive and felt compelled to act in a conciliatory manner toward them. At the same time, he lacked confidence in their combat ability primarily because of their inferior equipment.{61} Additionally, there were problems with fitting the French forces into the overall Allied force structure. Due to the division of the Tunisian front into various sectors (British First Army in the north, and the U.S. II Corps in the south), there was consternation regarding command arrangements for the French XIX Corps in the center of the line, and also the French “Constantine” Division which was operating within II Corps’ area of responsibility.{62}

Such feelings were not restricted to the British however, as several American commanders also did not disguise their feelings about their British allies. Fredendall in particular proved to be an impediment to resolving problems of inter-allied cooperation and command. Blumenson states, “he turned out to be an Anglophobe in general, and he disliked Anderson in particular. He had no confidence in and little patience with the French. Nor did he appreciate the frustration of men who were denied the weapons they needed to fight.”{63} Although other American officers harbored feelings of ill-will toward their British counterparts, in many instances these feelings were held in check and did not come out till they published post-war memoirs.{64} Overall, despite the problems that occurred in the Anglo-American alliance during the Tunisian campaign, Martin Blumenson argues the alliance flourished. “It was the strongest coalition in the history of warfare. Despite grumbling on the part of disenchanted individuals, despite real and serious divergence of approach to strategy and policy, the partnership and the machinery that ran the military side functioned well and on every level.”{65}

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