I recently discovered a very interesting document concerning Operation Torch.
It includes reports compiled to highlight problems with the Torch landings with a view to improve future operations.
Background
Operation Torch was the first major allied operation to include US troops. While many people in the US military wanted to invade France in 1942/3 and tackle the German army head-on, Churchill managed to convince Roosevelt that it would be better to start from North Africa and attack the 'soft underbelly' of the German/Italian alliance from there. And reading this US post-invasion analysis, it looks like it was the correct decision.
This US document contains input from various US commanders where the criticism, comment and suggestions cover a range of practical & operational matters. I will just mention a few which I have grouped as follows.
Comments/suggestions that now seem obvious;
1. The condition of the troops. "The troops physical hardness was good when they set sail, but they had softened up after the long voyage, so on-deck exercising should have been more comprehensive."
To be fair, with thousands of men packed into ships, there may not have been much space for them on board to do press-ups. But the basic idea is pretty obvious.
2. "Don't use ordinary troops for landings: need to be specially trained".
3. "The packaged weight of materiel should be reduced so much of the equipment could be unloaded single-handed."
Communications;
1. "Communications was poor on many levels."
2. "Waterproofing of transceivers was inadequate."
3. "There was a lack of VHF sets which would have made ground to air comms much easier."
4. "Radio combat codes were too numerous & complicated."
5. There were also comments which indicated people were told about the operation simply on a 'need-to-know' basis. But others should have been better informed, especially support personnel.
About the British;
1. "British unloaded Staff Cars before US Artillery". This does sound like British Bloody Mindedness!
2. "The leaded gas [petrol] & low octane British gas is insatisfactory. 87 octane blue Sunoco gas has proven satisfactory". Well, there is a war on you know!
3. "Army call for fire support to navy: up to 2 hrs delay".
4. "Ration box sizes important: should use British 48hr kit". Hooray! We got something right.
Some lesson learnt;
1. "Drivers were landed separately from their vehicles". This led to very long delays before the two were united and ready to duty ...therefore...
2. "Recommends 'Combat Loading' where troops are loaded onto the same ships as their equipment, not on separate ships."
Other points;
1. "Although equipment was in good condition when loaded onto ships, it was often incomplete or even 'lost' when it was time to unload at destination". Clearly, equipment should have been guarded and not left unattended.
2. "WW2 field shoes were said to be too light & not durable, so should be replaced with WW1 type!"
3. "Combat soldier carrying too much stuff." This must be a difficult call, trying to decide what is needed to suit conditions and likely scenarios.
4. "Glistening (shiny) surfaces of equipment (e.g. tin containers) should be of a dull surface in order to render less discernible to enemy aircraft (likewise vehicle windshields)."
Clearly, trying to plan and account for every eventuality for an allied invasion on this scale must have been a logistical nightmare.
Apart from the general troops and their equipment, also required are fresh water, food, medical teams, technicians with suitable spares, messengers, radio operators, linguists/translators, drivers for bulldozers & other non-combat vehicles, Military Police, & so on!
And everybody & everything should be unloaded in an optimal sequence. Unfortunately for Operation Torch, some personnel were on the beach for 30 hours before the first vehicles and other equipment was landed.
I would love to know if there was a separate British analysis ...I'm sure it would also make very interesting reading!
References:-
This US document was discovered by 'davidbfpo' a forum member and Patron of www.ww2talk
- http://ww2talk.com/index.php?threads/lessons-of-operation-torch-a-1943-us-army-report.95239/
- Defense Technical Information Center (USA) original article: https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADA438192