TO BIZERTE WITH THE II CORPS
23 April - 13 May 1943

CENTER OF MILITARY HISTORY
UNITED STATES ARMY
WASHINGTON, D.C., 1990

First printed by the Historical Division, War Department, for the American Forces in Action series, 1943

CMH Pub 100-6

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402

Foreword to CMH Edition

To Bizerte With the II Corps (23 April-13 May 1943) is one of a series of fourteen studies of World War 11 operations originally published by the War Department's Historical Division and now returned to print as part of the Army's commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of that momentous clash of arms. These volumes, prepared by professional historians shortly after the events described, provide a concise summary of some of the major campaigns and battles fought by American soldiers. The skillful combination of combat interviews with primary sources, many of which are now lost, gives these unassuming narratives a special importance to military historians. The careful analysis of key operations provides numerous lessons for today's military students.

I am pleased that this entire group of studies will once again be available. I urge all military students and teachers to use them to enhance our collective awareness of the skill, leadership, daring, and professionalism exhibited by our military forebears.

Washington, D.C.
15 September 1989

HAROLD W. NELSON
Colonel, FA
Chief of Military History

IN THE THICK OF BATTLE, the soldier is busy doing his job. He has the knowledge and confidence that his job is part of a unified plan to defeat the enemy, but he does not have time to survey a campaign from a fox hole. If he should be wounded and removed behind the lines, he may have even less opportunity to learn what place he and his unit had in the larger fight.

AMERICAN FORCES IN ACTION is a series prepared by the War Department especially for the information of wounded men. It will show these soldiers, who have served their country so well, the part they and their comrades played in achievements which do honor to the record of the United States Army.

WAR DEPARTMENT
Military Intelligence Division
Washington 25, D. C.
25 November 1943

To Bizerte With The II Corps is the first of a series called AMERICAN FORCES IN ACTION. The series is designed exclusively for military personnel and primarily for wounded in hospitals. It aims to tell them the military story of the campaigns and battles in which they served. No part of this pamphlet may be republished without the consent of the A. C. of S., G-2, War Department, Washington 25, D. C.

This pamphlet is based on the best military records now available. Maps were prepared by the Historical Section, Army War College. All photographs, except of terrain models, are by the U. S. Army Signal Corps. Terrain models were made by the Camouflage Branch, Engineer Board, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Readers are urged to send comments, criticisms, and additional information directly to the Historical Branch, G-2, War Department, Washington 25, D. C.

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Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION
THE FINAL CAMPAIGN FOR NORTH AFRICA	Page 1
PREPARATIONS FOR THE LAST BATTLE	2
Plans of the Eighteenth Army Group	2
The Allies Control the Air	3
The II Corps Moves to the North	4
SUMMARY OF II CORPS ACTION	8
THE FIRST PHASE The II Corps Drives to Mateur
A TERRAIN OF HILL FORTRESSES	9
PLAN OF ATTACK IN THE SOUTHERN ZONE	11
THE 1ST DIVISION PUSH TO DJEBEL SIDI MEFTAH (23-27 APRIL)	12
The 26th Regimental Combat Team	12
The 16th Regimental Combat Team	14
The 18th Regimental Combat Team	15
THE ATTACK IS WIDENED	16
Advance to Hill 609	16
The 34th Division Captures Hill 609	18
The 1st Division Reaches the Edge of the Hills	21
THE 1ST ARMORED DIVISION SOUTH OF THE TINE (23 APRIL-2 MAY)	23
THE 9TH DIVISION IN THE NORTHERN ZONE	26
The Plan of Attack	26
Jefna Is Outflanked	28
Action North of the Sedjenane (24-27 April)	31
THE GERMAN RETREAT AND THE CAPTURE OF MATEUR	34