MR310 Sec. 2 "TORCH" (1) Army and Navy Summaries - December 1942

MR 310, Sec. 2 - ARMY-NAVY TORCH SUMMARIES Franklin D. Receevelt Library December, 1942 DECLASSIFIED DOD D'R. 5200.9 (9/27/58) Franklin D. Roosevelt Library DECLASSIFIED DOD DR. 5200.9 (9/27/68) Date- AUG 7 1972 Signatures DECI ASSIFIED EUROPEAN THEATER 1700 December 31 to 0700 January 1 (All messages paraphrased) and STREIGTH IN NORTH AFRICA ALLIES AXIS U. S. Strength Landed or in Port 177,647 Estimated Strength of 39,000 British # I If If II 140,000 AIR STRENGTH U. S. and British 725 Unknown STRENGTH IN TUNISIA Estimated Total Strength 91,000 Estimated Strength of 39,000 Combat Zone U. S. 16,000 British 35,000 French 40,000 91,000 Line of Communication Troops U. S. and British 16,500 Allied Planes 506 (No planes reported engaged (Algiers and to the coast) in action in northwest Fighters 280 Africa since last report) Light and Medium Bombers 124 Franklin D. Roosevelt Library Heavy Bombers 45 DECLASSIFIED Reconnaissance 21 DOD D'R. 5200.9 (9/27/58) Troop Carriers 36 506 S T Fifty-one (51 JU-52's Transport planes departed from Sicily for Tripoli, and 3 JU-52's departed for Tunis. An enemy bomber reconnaissance Vas made over the coastal area between Bone and Oren by 2 Sardinian based JU-88's. Netero vas reconnoitered by one JU-88 from Sicily, and the interior of Tunis ves covered by 3 Sicilian based JU-88's, one of which went to Biskra area. The northern half of the western basin vas reconnoitered as usual by one JU-88 from southern France. Two (2) Sicilian based JU-88's were active during the early morning and during the day engaged a convoy escort. During the evening, Italian based JU-88's and 111's were active. DECLASSIFIED -2- DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12356, Sec. 3.3 or Sec. 3.4 NLR 101 T EUROPEAN THEATER 700 - 1700 December 31 (All messages paraphrased) STRENGTH IN NORTH AFRICA ALLIES AXIS U. S. Strength Landed or in Port 177,647 Estimated Strength of 39,000 British If .... 140,000 AIR STRENGTH U. S. and British 725 Unknown STRENGTH IN TUNISIA Estimated Total Strength 91,000 Estimated Strength of 39,000 COMBAT ZONE U. S. 16,000 British 35,000 French 40,000 91,000 LIST OF COMMUNICATION TROOPS U.S. and British 16,500 Allied Planes 506 (Algiers and to the coast) Fighters 280 Light & Medium Bombers 124 Heavy Bombers 45 Reconnaissance 21 Troops Carriers 36 506 DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED E 12356 See 24 (v2) mission leurly 100 1200 requires Enemy defensive line established Sidi Medien DAR Hllfaoui, Djobel Bou Touil. Italian forward units in Djebel Fkirine and Djebel Chirich areas appear supported by small German patrols including light armored cars. Enemy reported along main escarpment Kebir to Dyebel Ousselat with tone east of Harachoum and Leboria. Weather good though cold in Northern Lun- isia. Roads sticky but drying. LAND: Enemy now reported occupying Heidous area. Constructing de- fensive Tine north Kebir Reservoir. Enemy attack south of reservoir ap- parently failed to progress. French attack in Pichon area held by enemy. Southern Lunisia: Enemy reported reinforced, Djebel Krechem position. Kebili garrison estimated 300 Italians with mall mobil elements including 5 light tanks. Activity Gabes area believed supplies and not reinforoements in mon. 90 German Artillery regiment identified northern sector. One bat- talion 5 Parachute regiment Oued Kebir Area. Maknassy reinforced, estimated strength 600 Italians, mechanized elements including 18 light tanks. Sabotage by glider landed troops of railway bridge Sidi Bou Baker, active patrolling and air activity over Gafaa. French report 31st Bn and elements 33rd Italian tank regiments Djebel Fkirine area. Latter accepted with considerable reserve. NAVAL: Attacks on enemy units in Sicilian channel by fleet air are destroying merchant wasel. AIR: Sicilian channel, Southern France and Lebessa. Enemy activity consisted of bomber reconnaissance. Heavy rains, muddy fields and severe icing conditions seriously hampered all air operations for wook ending December 25. 104 missions consisting 340 sorties flown. Bombers accomplished only one mission. Four JU-88a destroyed with one probably destroyed. Our losses 1 P-40 destroyed. On 19th December marsholling yards at Sfax were bombed by 9 DB-7s and 3 A-20s, dropping 11 tons of HE. P-L,Os on a sweep destroyed 4 tanks and 4 armored cars. 20th December weather prevented bombers from flying.21st December P-38s intercepted 4 JU-88 on bombing raid against Libissa destroying 2 and probably 6. third. P-40a on sweep destroyed an estimated 60 trucks out of a hundred truck convoy 36 miles WNW of Sfax. P-40s on patrol intercepted and shot down 2 JU-88a bombing allied truok convoy. Four P-1;Os bombed bridge over the Qued E1 Akarit 16 miles north of Gabes with unobserved results. Other missions cancelled due to weather. December 25 four P-40s bombed a small troop concentration at Sfax. NAVAL: Force or made sweep north Biserta night 28 and 29. No surface craft sighted. Mine sweeping continued successfully at Bone. Two enemy merchantmen vessels sunk by British subs of Biserta 14th December. Two at- tacks on convoy off Biserta 17th December with probable hit on destroyer. - 2 - DECLASSIFIED SECRET DECLASSIFIED E. O. 12356, Sec. 3.3 or Sec. 3.4 NLR 101 By RT, NARA, Date 4/13/94 ETF: On south flank conbat patrols 6 armd Div including 6 tanks dispatched to Stom De Bou Arada. First Bn Royal Irish Fusiliers and HQ 26 armd Brigade now located 5 miles SW and 7 miles WSW Goubellat respect- ively. 2/6 Armd Inf relieved five miles SE Medjes E1 Bob by 1/18 RCT. 1/13 Armd regt. DMT 67 Armd regt and 27 FA Bn relieved Medjez E1 Bab by Co of 2/13 AR and 32nd FA Bn. 1/13 to Tebursouk. Remainder SW Baja. Medjez E1 Bab bombed by ten aircraft. No damage. 8th Angyle and Southerland Highlanders engaged about 45 enemy 5 miles east of Medjez E1 Bab. Inflicted 50% casualties and captured prisoners. Enemy occupied line road junction three miles WNW Ksar Tyr and Heidous night 28 and 29. Center of line clear of enemy 29th. HQ 56th RCN rgt located 1 mile NW Oved Zarga. Patrols located enemy Co Saltane. On north flank two patrols 5 Buffs due back 21 December from area WSW Mateur presumed killed or captured. Central Lunisia, Two German gliders landed ten miles south Feriana night 28/29 December. Bridge on Feriana - Gafsa railway blown up by twelve mon. Escaped from USA patrol towards Gafea. French report one German and two Italian Bns. Pichon area. Enemy reinforced on Da Fkirine. Liaison officer reports counter attack by Germans and Italians supported by tanks south from Pont Du Fahs 28th December made considerable progress east of resevoir Oved Kebir. Battery A 443 Ca AA Bn arrived Algiers from Casablanca. AIR: 18 B-17s attacked Sousse with 2 tons bombs results unobserved. Light bombers attacked bridges La Hencha with 5 tons bombs. No hits claimed. Straffed concentration flat cars and destroyed locomotive north Sfax. Light bombers attacked tank depote 9 miles 88 Pont Du Fahs with 7 tons bombs. 12 P-38 dispatched failed to locate target. Three enemy aircraft encountered, one damaged. December 28 Spitfires from Bone engaged 12 enemy planes SW Pont Du Faha - four enemy destroyed, two damaged. One Spitfire missing. Two Spitfires on patrol shot down by 15 enemy aircraft over Souk El Arba. Souk E1 Khemis dive bombed. Three crew members enemy plane shot down east Biskra captured. - 3 - DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12356, Sec. 3.3 or Sec. 3.4 NLR 101 By RT, NARA, Date 4/13/94 EUROPEAN THEATER map Room 700 - 1700 December 29 (All messages paraphrased) STRENGTH IN NORTH AFRICA ALLIES AXIS U. 8. Strength Landed or in Port 177,647 Estimated Strength British . # # . # 140,000 of 39,000 AIR STRENGTH U. 8. and British 725 Unknown STRENGTH IN TUNISIA Estimated Total Strength 70,700 Estimated Strength of 39,000 Combat Zone U. S. 16,000 British 35,000 French 19,700 70,700 Line of Communication Troops: U. S. and British 16,600 Allied Planes (Algiers and to the east) 506 Fighters 280 Light & Medium Bombers 124 Heavy Bombers 45 Reconnaissance 21 Troop Carriers 36 DECLASSIFIED 506 T From 93d Group. Six Bombers carrying 5 - - 1,000 lbs bombs departed to attack Tunis, Sousse, and Sfax the night of the 26-27 December. One plane bombed Sousse and three bombed Tunis, but the results were unobser- ved. Plane which bombed Sfax observed hits on dooks and a fire in the barracks area. Interrogation of the sixth ships crew has not been completed. Twelve airoraft carrying 5 - 1,000 pound bombs at- tacked the harbor and shipping at Sousse on the 27th. Numerous hits were reported on dook installations. One bomb was seen to ex- plode at center of commercial quay and two direct hits were made on a merchant ship. Near misses were obtained on ships dooked at the phosphate quay. The railroad yard west of the quay was damaged. Moderately heavy antiairoraft fire was encountered over the target but no enemy aircraft were sighted. - 2 - DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12356, Sec. 3.3 or Sec. 3.4 NLR 101 By RT, NARA, Date 4/13/94 map Room white House 6 EUROPEAN THEATER 0700 December 28 to 1900 December 28 (All messages paraphrased) STRENGTH IN NORTH AFRICA ALLIES AXIS U.S. Strength Landed or in Port 177,847 Estimated Strength of 39,000 British . If II . 140,000 AIR STRENGTH U.S. and British 666 Unknown may STRENGTH IN TUNISIA Estimated Total Strength 70,700 Estimated Strength of 39,000 Combat Zone: U.S. 16,000 British 35,000 French 19,700 70,700 Line of Communication Troops: U.S. and British - 16,600 Allied Planes 484 Unknown (within Range of Tunisia) Fighters 310 Night Fighters 32 Light and Medium Bombers - 99 Heavy Bombers 43 484 DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12356, Sec. 3.3 or Sec. 3.4 NLR 101 By RT, NARA, Date 4/13/94 T Enemy movement has been reported east and northeast of Medjes El Bab. French attacks in the Pichon area has forced the enemy to withdraw elight- ly. Identifications of prisoners disclose the fact that a battalion of the 31st Italian Tank Regiment and 13th Italian Antitank Battalion is in the Ousseta-Pichon Area. Air: The northern half of the Western Mediterranean vas patrolled by one JU 88 based on Southern France, and the Southern half including the Tunisian Coast and sea area north of Sicily vas covered by four JU 88 based on Sicily. Twenty JU 88'm from Sicily covered the North African Coast, turned northwards toward the Balerics and finally landed about dawn at Montpelier, France. At least three other JU 88's dropped bombs in the Algiers area and returned to Sicily. Seven JU 88's carried out an offensive in the Bougie Area and returned to Sardinia. DECLASSIFIED - 2 - DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12356, Sec. 3.3 or Sec. 3.4 NLR 101 By RT. NARA. Date 4/13/94 TORCH 0700 December 30 to 0700 December 31 (All messages paraphrased) STRENGTH IN NORTH AFRICA ALLIES AXIS U. S. Strength Landed or in Port 177,647 Estimated Strength of 39,000 British II # II II If 140,000 AIR STRENGTH U. S. and British 725 Unknown STRENGTH IN TUNISIA Estimated Total Strength 70,700 Estimated Strength of 39,000 COMBAT ZONE U.S. 16,000 British 35,000 French 19,700 70,700 LINE OF COMMUNICATION TROOPS U. S. and British 16,600 Allied Planes 506 (Algiers and to the east) Fighters 280 Light & Medium Bombers 124 Heavy Bombers 45 Reconnaissance 21 Troops Carriers 36 506 DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12356, Sec. 3.3 or Sec. 3.4 NLR 101 By RT. NARA. Date 4/13/94 GROUND Enemy working parties and guns were observed 9 miles east of S141 Nair. Patrols reached Djebel Hassane (12 miles southwest of Mateur) without contact. There has been no offensive activity reported from the 5 infantry companies with infantry guns in the Djebel El Ahnera area, but there was enemy mortar and artillery activity in the area of Djebel Ainehouna. At dusk on the 27th of December, enemy mortars fired on the forward positions of the 36th Brigade. An enemy post, estimated as consisting of 2 platoons, is located 6 miles southeast of Ksar Tyr. The 754th Infantry Regiment and the lot Company 334th Engineers Battalion has been identified about 5 miles east of the Heidous area by captured documents. The French were attacked in the area of Heidous by an enemy infantry battalion, supported by artillery, on the 27th of December. A dawn attack vas made against them on the 28th of December. The situation is reported in hand. The enemy has been digging in northeast of Grich El Oued. Enemy mortars have been located 3 miles northeast of Grich El Cued. Enery patrols were contacted 2 miles northeast of Goubellat. Two (2) companies of enemy infantry 3 miles southeast of Goubellat have been located. -3- DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12356, Sec. 3.3 or Sec. 3.4 NLR 101 By RT, NARA, Date 4/13/94 The enemy withdrew east from positions on the road near Djimal - Sidi Medien. The enemy is reported digging in along the general line Medjez El Bab - Goubellat area. The enemy strong point is believed to be just east of Goubellat. The enemy is constructing defensive works, including en antitank ditch, around Pont Du Fahs. Over 100 prisoners, mostly Italian, were captured by the French in the area between Oued Kebir reservoir (12 miles southwest of Pont Du Fahs) and Djebel Fkirine. An enemy counterattack December 28, from area south of Pont Du Fahs by & mixed force of Germans and Italians supported by German tanks, is reported to have made considerable progress in the area east of Oued Kebir reservoir. Enemy activity south of Feriana is increasing. Patrols from Gafea contacted the enemy after dark on the 28th. It was reported that Maknassy has been reinforced with from four to five hundred enemy troops, including 12 tanks. This report could not be confirmed by an aerial reconnaissance of the area. A battery of the 432nd Coast Artillery from Oran has arrived at Biskra. Operational Tank Status 6th Armored Division: 83 Valentines 66 Orusaders 18 Close support DECLASSIFIED SECRET SECRET 78th Division: 17 K-3 Light 16 M-4 Medium Combat Command "3": 36 M-3 Light 26 M-3 Medium Under Repair: 14 Valentines 13 Crusaders 2 Close support 5 M-3 Medium 2 M-4 Medium AIR Sousse harbor Vas attacked during the night 27-28 December by 6 Liberators from the 160 Squadron. Thirty-six (36) British 1,000-pound bombs were dropped. A large fire was observed at the edge of the commercial quay and another fire at the phosphate quay. Two (2) other fires were observed on the west side of the harbor. On December 28, 9 B-24's from the 376th Group and 13 B-24's from the 98th Group dropped 72 five-hundred-pound American bombs on Sousse harbor. Hits were observed on 2 tankers at the commercial quay, and other hite started fires along the quay. Three (3) planes were hit by antiaircraft fire and Captain Edmonde, of the 376th Group, was killed. Three (3) of our aircraft were hit by enemy aircraft fire and one badly damaged. Two (2) ME-109's were believed shot down. All planes returned to base except one aircraft unaccounted for. DECLASSIFIED SECRET DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12356, Sec. 3.3 or Sec. 3.4 NLR 101 By RT, NARA, Date 4/13/94 On the night of the 28-29th of December, Wellingtons from Malta bombed Bousse docks, dropping one 4,000, ten 400 and fourteen 250- pound bombs. Wellingtons found fire burning on north quay and enlarged it. The 4,000-pound bomb burst among warehouses on the north quay. Eight (8) trucks were destroyed by P-38's 7 miles northeast of Bir Mcherga. Ten (10) enemy planes were encountered northeast of Pont Du Fahs. One enemy plane vas probably destroyed and one damaged, with one P-38 shot down in enemy territory. A P-38 destroyed 2 of 3 enemy planes approaching Youks Les Bains. Ten (10) vehicles were destroyed near Kairouan by a P-40. Two (2) P-38's on reconnaissance encountered 6 enemy aircraft near Pont Du Fahs - one P-38 damaged. A P-38 destroyed one enemy plane in Biskra area. The crew members were observed walking away among the Arabs. Twenty-two (22) antisubmarine sorties were flown. Three (3) Hudsons are missing. One Hudson was shot down by friendly antiair- craft fire near Feriana, and 1 Hudson vas reported shot down by a submarine crew. Axis planes carried out their usual reconnaissance of the Mediterranean and North African area. Allied Fighters engaged 3 ME-109's over Pont Du Fahs area about noon. DECLASSIFIED -5- DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12356 Sec 3.4 NAVAL The Fleet Air Arm attacked one merchant vessel with escorting destroyer in the Sicilian channel. The merchant vessel blew up and sank. DECLASSIFIED -6- TORCH 1700 December 29 to 0700 December 30 (All messages paraphrased) STRENGTH IN NORTH AFRICA ALLIES AXIS U. S. Strength Landed or in Port 177,647 Estimated Strength of 39,000 British If .... 140,000 AIR STRENGTH U. S. and British 725 Unknown STRENGTH IN TUNISIA Estimated Total Strength 70,700 Estimated Strength of 39,000 Combat Zone U. S. 16,000 British 35,000 French 19,700 70,700 Line of Communication Troops U. S. and British 16,600 Allied Planes 506 (Algiers and to the east) Fighters 280 Light & Medium Bombers 124 Heavy Bombers 45 Reconnaissance 21 Troop Carriers 36 506 DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12356, Sec. 3.3 or Sec. 3.4 NLR 101 By RT, NARA, Date 4/13/94 GROUND The 2nd Hampshires, 1st Commandos and 3/9 Algerian Infantry, with some artillery, located about 10 miles northeast of Beja and patrolling towards the east. North northwest of Beja approximately 10 miles is located & detachment of the 2nd Parachute Battalion. This detachment is patrolling the Djebel Abiod - Beja area. The 2/9 Algerian Infantry which is patrolling to the north, is located 10 miles north northeast of Beja. Headquarters and 1 battalion 1st Parachute Brigade 10 miles northeast of Beja patrolling to Sidi Nair. Enemy reported entrenching to the south of Station De Jefna and has occupied the high ground 5 miles northwest of Station De Jefna. The enemy has been reported 10 miles south southwest of Mateur by 2nd Battalion Lancaster Fusiliers. 3rd Parachute Battalion 1s at Souk El Khemis, resting. The 5th Battalion Northamptons is now at Munchar and reports 2 Officers wounded, 1 missing; 11 enlisted men killed, 14 wounded, 16 missing in action at Lanserine, December 23-25. In the vicinity of Heidous the 2nd and 3rd Battalions 3rd Algerian Infantry patrolled southeastward and a patrol of the 8th Argyll Sutherland Highlanders repulsed enemy (without losses) 4 miles northwest. A standing patrol of the lst Battalion Surrey Regiment northeast of Heidous was attacked and retired. A hill 5 miles southeast has been occupied by the enemy. -2- DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12356, Sec. 3.3 or Sec. 3.4 NLR 101 By RT. NARA. Date 4/13/94 An enemy patrol on the road Tebourba - Medjez El Bab was attacked by a patrol of Grenadier Guards which killed 3 enemy, wounded 8 and took 15 prisoners. Enemy patrols were located miles northeast of Goubellat, A mine field, which was located 7 miles southeest of Goubellat, was removed and at the same time contact with the enemy was made. At Djebel Fkirine, prisoners were captured in operations which were progressing in north and center. Prisoners and materiel were taken when enemy was driven back at Pichon. It WEB reported that enemy activity in the Gafsa area is increasing. A German patrol Officer and 4 men were taken during the night of 26-27 December when motorcycles and 4 enemy tanks were forced to retire by our gunfire. At 2200 z, December 26, approximately 30 paratroops from the 2nd Battalion 509th Parachute Infantry, with 2 accompanying French paratroopers, made a successful jump for the purpose of destroying a railroad bridge 6 miles north of El Djem. However, it was reported on the morning of December 27 by air that the bridge was intact. 78th Generator Smoke Company (Chemical) with equipment, departed Casablanca for Algiers. AIR 22 enemy aircraft probably mine layers, were seen in the Algiers area the night of 25-26 December. They dropped a few bombs. 18 P-38's made offensive sweeps Pont Du Fahs - Kairaoun area, and 24 P-40's made reconnaissance sorties in the Pont Du Fahs - -3- DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12356, Sec. 3.3 or Sec. 3.4 NLR 101 Kairaoun area and met no air opposition. The harbor and docks at Sousse was bombed by 14 B-17's from 23,500 feet. Severe damage to docks and warehouse and on 4 ships claimed. One ship exploded. A total of 40 tons of bombs were dropped at Sousse. A hundred and twenty fighter sorties on protection sweeps, bomber escorts and attacks on port and shipping were made by RAF December 26. 2 Spitfires damaged and 1 enemy plane was probably dès- troyed. P-38's intercepted about 10 ME-109's at Tebessa 1415 2, shooting down 2. 1/1 DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12356 Sec. 3.3.or Sec. 3.4 mop Room TT TORCH 1900 December 28 to 0700 December 29 (all messages paraphrased) STRENGTH IN NORTH AFRICA ALLIES AXIS U. S. Strength Landed or in Port 177,647 Estimated Strength of 39,000 British . . If II Il 140,000 AIR STRENGTH U. 8. and British 725 Unknown STRENGTH IN TUNISIA Estimated Total Strength 70,700 Estimated Strength of 39,000 Combat Zone: U. S. 16,000 British 35,000 French 19,700 70,700 Line of Communication Troops: U. S. and British 16,600 Allied Planes 506 (Algiers and to the east) Fighters 280 Light & Medium Bombers 124 Heavy Bombers 45 Reconnaissance 21 Troop Carriers 36 506 DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12356, Sec. 3.3 or Sec. 3.4 NLR 101 By RT, NARA, Date 4/13/94 EASTERN TASK FORCE Enery active southwest of Toukabeur (6 miles northwest of Medjes El Bab). Casualties believed light. Patrols failed to make contact southeast of Goubellat. Slight enemy activity east southeast of Goubellat. Line of Communication road 28 miles east of Bougie passable for 12-ton vehicles. French report considerable enemy casualties in the vicinity of Pichon. Antiaircraft defense at Kairouan reported being strengthened. Enemy patrol activity reported increasing in the vicinity Maknassy toward Gafsa. Reinforcement moves of combat units: Battery "A" 443rd Coast Artillery (Antiaircraft) (Automatic Weapons) enroute from Casablanca to Algiers. 432nd Coast Artillery (Antiaircraft) (Auto- matic Venpons) Battalion enroute from Oran to Biskra. LOCATIONS 2 London Irish Rifles at Goubellat 1 Irish Fusiliers 2 miles south of Goubellat. 38th Infantry Brigade and 6th Innis- killings Fusiliers 10 miles southwest of Goubellat. Battalion 18th Regimental Combat Team at Teboursouk. IDENTIFICATIONS 1st Co. Px Engineer (49th) Battalion, northeast of Medjez El Bab. 69 Px Grenadier Regiment, northeast of Medjez El Bab. DECLASSIFIED DROP A NRCLASS DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12356, Sec. 3.3 or Sec. 3.4 NLR 101 By RT, NARA, Date 4/13/94 24th Battalion 5th Bersaglieri Regiment, Pichon Area. AIR Biskra bombed by 3 aircraft. No damage. Bizerte attacked by 8 B-17's with 40 tons of bombs. Fires were started among shipping and in dock area. Heavy accurate antiaircraft fire encountered. Two B-17's shot down - two missing. Two enemy aircraft destroyed. Twelve P-38's destroyed water tank, 5 trucks and 3 motorcycles at Enfidaville (27 miles southeast of Pont Du Fahs): destroyed 2 trucks at Sidi Bou All (27 miles northeast of Kairaoun); one loco- motive at Station De Kerker (35 miles southeast of Keirouan): and one locomotive at Hanmanet (40 miles north of Sousse). Four P-40's strafed several self-propelled, ocean-going barges north of Sousse, destroying one barge carrying gasoline. 18 B-17's dropped 42 tons of bombs on Sfax, and claimed three ships sunk (2 large, 1 small) and one damaged (medium). Tunis, Sousse and Sfax bombed by 9th Bomb Command, night 26-27 December. Three aircraft bombed Tunie Harbor, one bombed Sousse Harbor, one bombed Sfax. Hits observed on southwest of docks in Sfax. One fire observed in barracks area. On December 27, 12 aircraft bombed harbor and shipping at Sousse. Hite reported on dock installations, two direct its on one merchant vessel, and one bomb seen to explode at center of commercial quay. Bursts observed in railroad yard west of commercial quay. No enemy en- countered. All returned safely. DECLASSIFIED -3- DECLASSIFIED E. O. 12356, Sec. 3.3 or Sec. 3.4 NLR 101 By: DT NARA Date RECONNAISSANCE Northern half western basin - 1 JU-88 - Based Southern France. Bone - - Oran area - 3 JU-88 - Based Sicily. Tunisian Coast - 1 JU-88 - 2 JU-88 from Southern France to south of Sicily. FIGHTERS Two patrols near Sfax. TRANSPORT 26 JU-88's landed Catania, Sicily from Greece. NAVY Slight increase in submarine disposition western basin end western approaches to Gibraltar. Gibraltar - Greenwich 5 or 6 East of Greenwich 6 Algiers - - Formentirahz 3 Bougie - Algiers 2 Bone area 2 Biserte - Cagliari 3 East of 6°E 3 Within 150 miles 28°N 32°W 3 or 4 Lisbon - Casablanca - 14°W 6 Canaries - Azores 5 East of Azores 3 or 4 Madeira - Amores 1 Italian DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED TORCH 1900 December 27 to 0700 December 28 (All messages paraphrased) STRENGTH IN NORTH AFRICA ALLIES AXIS U. S. Strength Landed or in Port 153,724 Estimated Strength of 39,000 British II If III 140,000 AIR STRENGTH U. S. and British 634 Unknown STRENGTH IN TUNISIA Estimated Total Strength 87,200 Estimated Strength of 39,000 Combat Zone: U. S, 16,000 British 35,000 French 19,700 70,700 Line of Communication Troops: U. S. and British - 16,500 Allied Planes 484 Unknown (within 200 miles of Tunis) Fighters 310 Night Fighters 32 Light and Medium Bombers 99 Heavy Bombers 43 484 DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12356, Sec. 3.3 or Sec. 3.4 NLR 101 By RT. NARA. Date 4/13/94 NOTHING TO REPORT -2- DECI ASCIFIED TORCH REPORT 0700 December 27 to 1900 December 27 (All messages paraphrased) STRENGTH IN NORTH AFRICA ALLIES AXIS U. S. Strength Landed or in Port 153,724 Estimated Strength of 39,000 British If If If If If 140,000 AIR STRENGTH U. S. and British 634 Unknown STRENGTH IN TUNISIA Estimated Total Strength 87,200 Estimated Strength of 39,000 Combat Zone: U.S. 16,000 British 35,000 French 19,700 > 70,700 Line of Communication Troops: Total U. S. and British 16,500 Allied Planes 484 Unknown (within 200 miles of Tunis) Fighters 310 Night Fighters 32 Light & Medium Bombers 99 Heavy Bombers 43 484 DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED E. O. 12356, Sec. 3.3 or Sec. 3.4 NLR 101 By RT, NARA, Date 4/13/94 TROOP LOCATIONS 10th Infantry Brigade less 2 companies near Bou Arada. 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers 9 miles south of Goubellat. 16/5 Lancers at Slouigi. 2nd London Irish Rifles 4 miles south of Goubellat. Headquarters 38th Infantry Brigade 3 miles southwest of Goubellat. Derby Teomanry 4 miles east of Slouguia. GROUND Enemy tanks and vehicles active 3 miles northwest of Ksar Tyr. The 2nd Coldstream Guards captured Djebel El Ahmera. The enemy counterattacked but we regained the position except in a few places. The enemy counterattacked again at dawn on the 25th and gained the crest. The 2nd Coldstream Guards suffered casualties in key personnel. The 3rd Grenadier Guards counterattacked and regained the position. A battalion of the 18th Infantry (US) vas relieved by the 3rd Grenadiers. The 5th Northamptons reached a defile 4 miles west of Tebourba, but withdrew during the night after mee ting only slight opposition. Southern Tunisia: Italian infantry has been reported south of Faid. German motorcyclists occupied the road junction at'El Year, north of Maknassy. -2- DECLASSIFIED The Maknassy Garrison VAB reinforced on December 24 by Italian Infantry. Italian motorized patrols, with six light tanks, were encountered between Maknassy and Gafsa. AIR Four (4) P-40's bombed Sfax with one ton of bombs on December 24. Four (4) P-40's attacked the bridge north of Gabes. NAVAL On the 24th of December, an emeny northbound convoy vas detected 20 miles north of Bizerte, but there was no attack due to bad weather. A mine-sweeping trawler at Bone exploded 7 moored mines. Ferrying troops of KMF-5 from Algiers and Bougie has been completed. BRITISH SUBMARINE REPORTS: December 14 - Merchant vessel hit off Bizerte. December 17 - 2 hits on merchant vessel and 2 on destroyer in Bizerte area. December 23 - Enemy submarine ranned off Bone. December 24 - Enemy submarine attacked - results unknown. Submarine from Malta reports hitting & northbound vessel with one torpedo. -3- DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12356, Sec. 3.3 or Sec. 3.4 NLR 101 By RT, NARA, Date 4/13/94