Operation Torch, North Africa Campaign: Offensive, Deliberate Assault, Amphibious, 8 November 1942

The 3rd Infantry Division reinforced with additional armor, AAA, and engineer units, conducted an amphibious assault to capture the city of Casablanca, Morocco, on 8 November 1942. This action was part of a larger campaign involving allied forces directed to secure strategic port and airfield facilities in Morocco and Tunisia which would serve as bases for further operations against Rommels Afrika Korps and subsequent assault into Southern Europe. The divisions concept of operations called for landing three regimental combat teams in the vicinity of Fedella, located sixteen miles northeast of Casablanca, seize Fedella as a temporary base of operations and attack towards Casablanca. Operation TORCH represented the first major US effort against Axis forces outside the Pacific Theater of Operations. Most of the new amphibious craft used in later operations had yet to be developed or produced, even though Casablanca was captured. But, as the divisions historians point out, That is why the landing at Fedala was so important . The revelation of the great number of mistakes made by an organization in its first action, and overcoming all difficulties to attain its final objective as prophetic