This gap in Tunisia's Atlas Mountains saw the US Army's first major clash with the Germans. Between 19 and 24 February 1943, Rommel's veteran panzer forces overran inexperienced troops of the American II Corps, inflicting heavy losses before Allied reinforcements and artillery stopped the drive. The defeat led Eisenhower to replace General Fredendall with George S. Patton, and the lessons reshaped American training and command.
Here in the story
Battle
Patton arrives among the wrecked vehicles and dead of the American defeat and takes over a demoralised II Corps.
Here in the story
Battle
Pyle joins the company on its way to the front, and its baptism of fire turns into a chaotic, bloody defeat.
Here in the story
Battle
German panzers rout the Americans, and the wounded sergeant ends up a prisoner in a makeshift hospital.
