Mediterranean & North Africa · 8 Nov 1942 – 16 Nov 1942
Operation Torch
Allied landings at Casablanca, Oran, and Algiers overcame Vichy French resistance; the operation secured Morocco and Algeria by 16 November 1942.
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Operation Torch brought Allied forces ashore in French Morocco and Algeria from 8 to 16 November 1942. The operation used three task forces: the American Western Task Force landed near Casablanca, while the Center and Eastern task forces landed near Oran and Algiers. The landings opened a route into North Africa from the west, in coordination with the British advance from Egypt.
The Western Task Force landed at Mehdia–Port Lyautey, Fedala, and Safi on 8 November. Its formations included the 60th Infantry Regiment at Mehdia, the 3rd Infantry Division at Fedala, and the 47th Regimental Combat Team at Safi. Vichy French forces resisted, and fighting around Morocco included naval action off Casablanca. By 10 November, the Western Task Force had completed its landing objectives and had moved into position to attack Casablanca. The city surrendered before an all-out assault began.
The Center Task Force faced shore batteries and French ground resistance at Oran. An attempt to seize the port facilities failed, and French warships sortied from the harbor; the Navy’s account said they were sunk or driven ashore. Gunfire from the British battleship Rodney preceded Oran’s surrender on 10 November. At Algiers, the Eastern Task Force encountered less opposition after an anti-Vichy coup disrupted French control. Troops of the U.S. 3rd Battalion, 135th Infantry landed in the harbour from the destroyer HMS Broke to prevent the destruction of facilities and ships, and Algiers surrendered on the evening of 8 November.
Admiral François Darlan ordered a cease-fire for French forces in North Africa on 10 November, after which the Vichy French forces there cooperated with the Allies. The Allies secured Morocco and Algeria, but Torch did not immediately bring Tunisia under Allied control. Allied forces began moving toward Tunisia during the operation’s final days; the advance was not the same as capturing Tunis. The landings also exposed problems in communications, logistics, and command and control, particularly during the Moroccan assault.
The reported Allied losses included 556 Americans killed and 837 wounded, and 574 British dead. Vichy French losses were reported as at least 1,346 dead and 1,997 wounded; Germany and Italy also lost submarines. Those figures reflected losses across the operation, including naval action, rather than ground fighting alone. Torch ended on 16 November with the Allies in control of the principal landing areas and with a foothold from which they could continue operations eastward.