The History Of Wwii Podcast - By Ray Harris Jr

Rommel needs a spoiling attack against Monty. His attack plan is not great, but Monty’s defense plan is.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rome orders a new attack plan. Rommel tries to carry it out, but the Allied forces stop him. Still, the Axis take control of the Kasserine Pass. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After some infighting, the Germans launch their attack. The Americans are completely unprepared and the 2nd US Corps is whittled down to size. Now, the Kasserine Pass is open. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Fairfield and Tony Lupo from The Warrior Next Door Podcast returns to the show as we each give our Top 5 reasons why the Axis lost the war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now that the fighting in Northern Tunisia is on hold, the mountain passes in the southern half are the focus of both sides. And whoever controls the mountain passes has the advantages. Meanwhile, Rommel now retreats into Tunisian territory.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Germans attack before the Allies can start up again. Then the rains come in earnest. Tunis is safe for now, but Rommel in the south is losing against Monty and his own Allies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The German 10th Panzer Division attacks the Allied forces threatening Tunis. Falling for an old trick, the Allies are carved up and pushed back, thus Tunis is safe. Meanwhile, the Axis forces in Tunisia are getting reinforcements and a new commander. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Allies come at the Tunisian ports in 3 columns. Two of them are stopped cold and that’s enough to bring the entire offensive to a halt. The Western Allies need more of everything before they can continue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vichy France has joined the Allies, but the Germans are moving more men into Tunisia by the day. Battle is coming as both sides need the port city of Tunis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Casablanca finally falls to Gen. Patton’s forces. In reaction, the Germans send reinforcements to Tunisia and occupy the rest of France. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GI's comes ashore, but not where they’re supposed to. Still, order is formed and the attack commences. As for reaching the vital airport 5 miles in, the Americans have a French Ace up their sleeve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Casablanca’s French vessels focus on destroying U.S. landing craft. Meanwhile, Gen. Patton’s tanks come ashore at Safi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Americans come at Casablanca. But waiting for them are impressive batteries, submarines and the battleship Jean Bart. And for all the work the US State Department had done, Vichy will not submit quietly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Allied Center Task Force has its work cut out in trying to take Oran and the surrounding airfields. Surprise French attacks from the south and east wreck Allied plans and the timetable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Though far from perfect, the Western Allies make landfall with their Eastern and Central Task Forces in North Africa. Shots are exchanged, planes are downed, ships sunk and men fall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Western Allies had landed in North Africa, but two diversionary attacks go horribly wrong. The Americas have their first significant casualties of the war. Operation Torch has a rough start. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Operation Torch, though a rushed affair, carried the hopes of Washington and London and all of Europe. After much wrangling, the details come together and the date is set, November 8, 1942. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Though suffering heavy losses, Monty continues to attack Rommel. Both sides were bled, but this was something Rommel could not afford. The great race back west was on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Monty hopes to confuse Rommel with several limited attacks, so when the big push comes, the German’s main defenses will be out of place. This works and soon, 2 British brigades and the 2nd New Zealand Division attack during the night. Still, the Germans are formidable, even with their dwindling supplies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Operation Barbarossa and the attack on Pearl Harbor created the Grand Alliance, but holding it together took constant work. Only by looking at their areas of conflict, as well as cooperation, are we able to understand the course of the war and world that developed in its aftermath. Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wwii45 TikTok-@wwiiguy Instagram - rayharrisjr youtube- https://www.youtube.com/@historyofwwiipodcast8712 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices