Operation Torch
토치 작전
The Allied invasion of Vichy-held French North Africa on 8–16 November 1942, with simultaneous American and British landings at Casablanca, Oran and Algiers. A compromise within the alliance, it aimed to catch the Axis forces in North Africa from the west and to commit American troops against Germany on a limited scale.
In depth
US commanders Marshall and King opposed the plan and argued for a landing in northern Europe in 1942, but Roosevelt gave a direct order that Torch take precedence over other operations. Under Eisenhower's overall command, the landing force was divided into Patton's Western Task Force (Casablanca), Fredendall's Centre Task Force (Oran) and Anderson's Eastern Task Force (Algiers). Vichy French forces resisted fiercely at Oran and in Morocco, but in Algiers a coup by the resistance let the city fall on the first day.
Admiral Darlan, who happened to be in Algiers, ordered an end to resistance on 10–11 November and in return became High Commissioner for North and West Africa, with many Vichy officials keeping their posts. Germany occupied the rest of Vichy France, and the main part of the French fleet at Toulon was scuttled. Torch figures in the debate over the second front the Soviet Union demanded as the course the Allies took instead of a landing in Europe, and by tying German Ju 52 transports to supplying North Africa it also strained the supply of the Axis forces at Stalingrad.