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Operation Torch
On August 14th 2026
David Bickerton spoke to us about one of the crucial, but lesser known operations of the Second World War.
With the occupation of France by Germany in 1940 most of the country fell under direct German rule. Marshal Petain, the 84 year old hero of the First World War negotiated with Hitler for an armistice and was allowed to establish a Government in Vichy which administered the south of France and French territories in North Africa.
The British were concerned that the French fleet might fall into German hands and demanded that the Vichy Government send it to neutral ports. This demand was refused and although the French Admiral promised the Fleet would not go to Germany, Churchill was not prepared to take the risk and an air and sea attack was launched on the French Navy in its North African ports. Much of the French Navy was sunk or severely damaged .
America did not want to get involved in a European War and even tried to establish diplomatic relations with Vichy France. However, after Pearl Harbour in December 1941 and Japan’s entry into the War against the USA, Hitler, as an ally of Japan was forced in turn to declare War on America. Churchill now worked to persuade the American President, first that since Germany was a more dangerous enemy than Japan, priority should be given to the defeat of Germany. He succeeded and secondly he persuaded him that, for the moment, any direct invasion of Europe would be suicidal. A better plan would be for American troops to take part in an invasion of North Africa to prepare for an operation against Nazi Europe from the South. American troops were at this time largely new recruits lacking battle experience and it was thought this operation, code named “Torch,” would help prepare them for amphibious landings and provide useful combat experience initially against French troops who were not expected to put up much resistance. The hope was that many of the French would quickly surrender and join the Allies.
The attack was set for early November 1942. Inevitably there were problems. There was little Naval support as most ships were needed elsewhere. There were disagreements among commanders, rehearsals which caused consternation in both America and Britain and the weather interfered with planned landings. But, perhaps more by luck than anything else most of the landings were a success and French troops largely surrendered. The occupation of North Africa did in the end provide a base for the subsequent invasion of Italy and the long hard campaign for the liberation of Europe. The Italian campaign forced Hitler to send troops south and that eventually gave the opportunity for a direct assault on Europe in 1944.
David’s talk was very detailed and it is impossible to do it justice in a simple summary. It was very much appreciated.
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