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American troops invaded North Africa in November 1942, but did not face serious resistance until the following February, when they finally tangled with Rommel's Afrika Korps - and the Germans gave the inexperienced Americans a nasty drubbing at Kasserine Pass. After this disaster, Gen. George Patton took command and reinvigorated U.S. troops with tough training and new tactics. In late March, at El Guettar in Tunisia, Patton's men defeated the Germans. It was a morale-boosting victory - the first American success versus the Germans and the first of Patton's storied World War II career - and proved to the enemy, the British, and the Americans themselves that the U.S. Army could fight and win.
About the Author
Leo Barron works for General Dynamics as an instructor of military intelligence officers for the U.S. Army. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in history, and has served with the 101st Airborne. Barron has seen two tours of active duty in Iraq as an infantry and intelligence officer. His articles about Bastogne and other WWII-related military topics have appeared in Infantry Magazine, Military Intelligence Professional Bulletin, WWII History Magazine, and WWII Magazine.
