The Legacy and Leadership of General George S. Patton |
North African Campaign |
"Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way. " |
NORTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGN
On August 5, Patton flew to Dwight D. Eisenhower's headquarters in London. Eisenhower was appointed as commander of the European Theater of Operations and would also be in charge of Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa. Although the American public was more interested in avenging Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill had previously agreed to deal with the Axis in Europe first. Once planning was complete at London, Patton flew to Washington D.C. to discuss the invasion with the Navy. With most of the U.S. Marine Corps fighting in the Pacific, the army was given no other option but to land on the beaches themselves.
On October 24, 1942, Patton sailed from the United States to North Africa with 24,000 men. Operation Torch consisted of three main landings: the Eastern, Central, and Western Task Forces. Patton would lead the Western Task Force and land near Casablanca. On November 8, Patton and his men landed in Morocco. Despite being confronted by fierce resistance from the Vichy French forces, the beachheads were quickly secured. On November 11, as Patton closed in on Casablanca, the French surrendered the city. Instead of a formal armistice, Patton proposed a gentlemen's agreement with the French. A stable Morocco meant that the Allies would be able to put full attention towards the Axis, so Patton allowed the French to maintain their forces on the condition that the French would not impede American advance. Prisoners of War would also be exchanged between the two sides.
On February 14, 1943, German forces led by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel destroyed American forces of the U.S. II Corps in the Battle of Kasserine Pass. Over 3,000 American soldiers were killed or wounded and 3,700 were taken prisoner. The humiliating defeated prompted Eisenhower to relieve II Corps commander General Lloyd Feredendall and replace him with Patton on May 6. Patton was given just 10 days to rebuild the shattered corps into an effective fighting unit. He instituted a policy that all soldiers must dress in full uniform and ensured that discipline was sharp. On March 17, just five days after Patton's promotion to Lieutenant General, a division of the II Corps on its way to Gabès after capturing Gafsa halted the advance of a German and Italian Panzer force twice during the Battle of El Guettar. Unlike the defeat at Kasserine Pass, the American forces fought fiercely and brought about a well publicized victory that overshadowed the failure at Kasserine.
Despite the victory, British commanders still felt that the Americans were ineffective. Patton was given a detailed order to attack Gabès in order to assault the retreating German forces. The assault however, did little and Patton blamed the lack of close air support from Allied air forces for the failed assault. When Patton found out that the II Corps would not take part in the final operation in Tunisia, he argued that the II Corps was an effective fighting force and should be given a role deemed fit. Patton then secured a promise that American Army would be able to take part in the operation. In preparation for Operation Husky, Patton returned to his headquarters in Casablanca and handed command of II Corps to his deputy, General Omar Bradley.
Despite the victory, British commanders still felt that the Americans were ineffective. Patton was given a detailed order to attack Gabès in order to assault the retreating German forces. The assault however, did little and Patton blamed the lack of close air support from Allied air forces for the failed assault. When Patton found out that the II Corps would not take part in the final operation in Tunisia, he argued that the II Corps was an effective fighting force and should be given a role deemed fit. Patton then secured a promise that American Army would be able to take part in the operation. In preparation for Operation Husky, Patton returned to his headquarters in Casablanca and handed command of II Corps to his deputy, General Omar Bradley.