What were the main objective of Operation Torch during WW2?

Answer 1

Why would the United States, which had been at war with Nazi Germany for nearly a year, choose to make its first move against the enemy more than 1,400 miles from Berlin, in a part of Africa where there weren't even any German forces?

The answer is, essentially, political rather than military. “Political” in the sense of public relations, or “national morale boosting”. That, and Churchill’s perpetual preference for flanking maneuvers (e.g. Dardanelles) instead of direct frontal assaults.

Before “Torch”, military logic seemed to dictate a clear-cut plan: -
The US would use the British Isles as a gigantic staging base for a direct assault on Germany; with large-scale daylight bombing raids; and preparations for a thrust across the English Channel into France in 1943. Meanwhile, support in the form of bombers and fighters would be sent to help the British in their fight against Rommel's Afrika Korps. U.S. troops would not otherwise be involved in Africa.

But two powerful and strong-willed men favored a landing in North Africa, each for his own reasons: -

Roosevelt was determined to get American ground forces into combat with the Germans as soon as possible, certainly in 1942, no matter where it might be.

Churchill had long favored attacking the Germans through Europe's “soft underbelly” instead of confronting them directly by crossing the Channel. And he loved the thought of forcing a surrender by the Axis forces in North Africa, by a massive attack from their rear to capture of their supply bases and cut them off from all support.

Combining their two desires, Roosevelt and Churchill simply made up their minds. Historians have pinpointed the period of July 25 to 30, 1942, as the one when a firm decision was made to land in North Africa ... and, thereby, unavoidably to delay an attack across the Channel until 1944.

The selection of North Africa as the general target area was the only immediate possibility to satisfy both Churchill’s and Roosevelt’s wishes.

The decision was not enthusiastically received by their military leaders. The risks were immense: a 4,000 mile voyage (for American troops) across open ocean; followed by landings through rough surf; and the possibility of vigorous opposition from Vichy French forces.

The ultimate objective in North Africa was Tunisia, which offered bomber bases within reach of Italy and portions of Germany, and a staging area for landings in Sicily, the Italian Peninsula, or southern France. But Tunisia was nearly 500 miles from the closest landing point in Algiers. Planners concluded reluctantly that an attempt to land farther east, even in Bizerte or Tunis itself, would rule out a landing in Casablanca: there simply weren't enough ships to do both.

So that is why Torch took place where and when it did.

Answer 2

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What were the main objective of Operation Torch during WW2?

Answer 3

Operation Torch was an Allied landings on the French North African coast to put Panzerarmee Afrika in a pincer. UK 8th Army from the east, Torch from the west meeting in Tunisia. Initially the thought was the Vichy wouldnt fight the US but they did, causing some number of casualties. Eventually they like most french sent up the white flag. The Germans pasted the Americans intiially at Kasserine Pass, Lloyd Fredenthal II Corps Commander was relieved & LTG. Geo. S. Patton Jr. took over American Units in North African campaign; 1st Armored Division "Old Ironsides" 2nd Armored Division "Hell On Wheels" 1st Infantry Division "Big Red One" 3rd infantry Division "Marne" 9th Infantry Division "Old Reliable" 34th Infantry Division "Red Bull" 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion "Geronimo" 1st Ranger Battalion "Darby's Rangers" in addition a contingent from 2nd Armored Division was sent to the British 8th Army to advise on the M3 Lee/Grant , & M4 Sherman tanks, gaining some combat experience. The fighting in tunisia during the winter 1942/43 turned out to be muddy & cold for the troops. A Family member serving in the Tank Destroyer corps remembered wearing every piece of clothing he could fit on to stay warm. Eventually the Afrika Korps couldnt sustain itself with Ammunition, Fuel, Troops and Von Arnim surrendered.

Answer 4

It was the British-American invasion of French North Africa, and their main objective is to drive from Morocco to Tunisia and hope to attack the German army from the rear.

Answer 5

To help fight the Germans in Africa, and to give the US Army some badly needed experience.