| In the first week of November 1942, American ground troops joined the battle against Germany for the first time when US Army forces landed at several sites in French North Africa as part of Operation Torch. Among the Americans who landed near the city of Oran were elements of the II Corps, including the 1st Armored Division under Major General Orlando Ward. Despite confusion and logistical challenges, American forces overcame scattered French resistance and maneuvered to attack Axis forces in Tunisia. As Allied forces advanced toward the vital port city of Tunis, they encountered increasingly stiff resistance from German and Italian forces, which were being resupplied from Axis bases in Italy. |
