Survivors' Stories North Africa 1942-43

[Story]

Backstory-

With the arrival of a new World War II miniseries, reruns of "Band of Brothers" on the History Channel, Ken Burns' "The War" and news stories about the dwindling number of World War II veterans still alive, one man is doing his part in preserving the stories of what is now dubbed, "The Greatest Generation."

For the past few years, East Falls resident Michael Fraticelli has been working on an "independent, educational, non-profit film" called "Survivors' Stories: North Africa 1942-43"
http://www.montgomerynews.com/artic...ugh_review/news/doc4ac10c22bd571009663743.txt


North Africa 1942-43 Survivors' Stories
An independent educational film
http://www.ww2survivorstories.com/

 

[H.Johnson]

Operation Torch 1942

I am still missing a recently deceased friend who served in 6 Army Commando was awarded the Military Medal (as a Troop Sergeant) during the attack on Green Hill in Operation Torch. He was the best story teller I ever knew.

 

[cookie]

The Operation Torch stuff (as partially seen in the film Patton) is still a very unknown but crucial part of WWII.

 

[H.Johnson]

Operation Torch 1942

I agree. My son did a paper on it in WW2 History (taking his material from my late friend) and his history teacher denied that it had ever taken place!

Interestingly, Nos. 1 and 6 Commando operated in combination with US 168th Infantry Division RCTs. As it was anticipated that the French defenders would be more likely to fight against the British, they wore American uniforms, carried GI weapons and were given a crash course in 'talking like a Yank'. They reverted to British uniforms later, but kept their Garand rifles until hostilities ended.

It worked to some extent on the coast, but the fighting was very fierce further inland. In the two attempts on Green Hill (it never fell to direct assault) troops of No. 6 Commando suffered 40% casualties.

 

[Story]

I agree. My son did a paper on it in WW2 History (taking his material from my late friend) and his history teacher denied that it had ever taken place!

What'd the school administrators say, when you brought that to their attention?

For those interested in further reading, from the American point of view -

http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/bizerte/bizerte-fm.htm#tablecont

TO BIZERTE WITH THE II CORPS
23 April - 13 May 1943

http://www.history.army.mil/books/70-7_07.htm

Chapter 7 : The Decision To Invade North Africa (TORCH)
by Leo J. Meyer

 

[dhermann1]

Check out "Desperate Venture: The Story of Operation Torch, the Allied Invasion of North Africa" by Norman Gelb. It gives a very complete account.
My favorite anecdote relating to North Africa and WW II however, involves my main man, Winston Bloody Churchill.
It was during the conference at Tangier that he and his secretary and maybe one other person decided to take a drive into the "country". They wound up at the door of some poor Moroccan peasant, asking if they could be provided a bite of food. The husband didn't know who he was, but the wife knew immediately, and nearly had a stroke, heart attack, nervous breakdown and kittens all at once. She gave his small party a bit of refreshment and they went on their way. Since the meeting was secret, having Winston Churchill show up at the door of an average Moroccan was like something you would sort of not expect. I believe the story is told in Jock Colville's great book, "On the Fringes of Power". It's a must read for any Churchill fan.

 

[kampkatz]

Thanks for the history sources on Operation Torch.

 

[H.Johnson]

The Headmaster sent me a letter asking why I was allowing my boy to be given an incorrect version of history...

The Gelb book is a good, authoritative read. I endorse your recommendation.

What'd the school administrators say, when you brought that to their attention?

For those interested in further reading, from the American point of view -

http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/bizerte/bizerte-fm.htm#tablecont

TO BIZERTE WITH THE II CORPS
23 April - 13 May 1943

http://www.history.army.mil/books/70-7_07.htm

Chapter 7 : The Decision To Invade North Africa (TORCH)
by Leo J. Meyer