Operations Vulcan and Strike

Operation Vulcan (22 April – 6 May 1943) and Operation Strike (6–13 May 1943) were the final ground attacks by the Allied forces of the First Army against the Italian and German forces in Tunis, Cape Bon and Bizerte, the last Axis bridgeheads in North Africa, during the Tunisian campaign of the Second World War.^[1]

Operation Vulcan commenced on 22 April to breach the Axis defences and break out beyond towards Bizerte and Tunis. The attack succeeded in capturing important strategic locations such as Longstop Hill, Point 174 and Hill 609 and forced the Axis to withdraw elsewhere resulting in large areas being abandoned to the Allies. Vulcan did not break out through into the open ground as planned, but it severely weakened the Axis forces, and became the first stage of the final Allied assault in the Tunisian campaign.

Operation Strike was the follow up attack launched on 6 May. This time the Axis line was broken within 24 hours. Allied forces then streamed through and cut off various units. For the Axis, escape was impossible - on the following day Tunis fell to British forces and Bizerte fell to US forces. Fighting continued until the last Axis forces surrendered on 13 May 1943.

Allied forces had landed in French North Africa in July 1942 and since November 1942 the British Eighth Army had pushed Axis forces westwards from Egypt and across Libya leaving only Tunisia under Axis control. The allied First Army (Kenneth Anderson) despite not having captured Tunis by December 1943 had began to hem in Army Group Africa (Heeresgruppe Afrika/Gruppo d'Armate Africa) by the beginning of the following year. The Eighth Army (General Bernard Montgomery) having won the Western Desert campaign were now aiming to join First Army in Tunisia. They had broken through Axis positions at the Battle of Wadi Akarit by 7 April and combined with the US II Corps attack at the Battle of El Guettar, Axis troops fell back to defensible positions north and west of Enfidaville, 25 mi (40 km) south of Cape Bon. The mountains there descend to the sea, with a narrow passage to Hammamet. British troops took Sfax on 10 April, followed by Kairouan and Sousse two days later. By April 13, the Allied line faced the Axis who were now concentrated in Northeastern Tunisia from Enfidaville on the Southeast facing the Eighth Army, Pont Du Fahs and Medjez El Bab to Sedjenane facing the First Army.^[2] In Operation Flax the Allied air forces cut off Axis supplies to North Africa and gained control of the air.

Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel believed that the Axis position in Tunisia was untenable and he had recommended the evacuation of all German troops to Italy, where he believed they could be more useful. His advice was rejected by Adolf Hitler. Axis offensives (Operation Frühlingswind and Operation Ochsenkopf) attempted to force back the allies, but only delayed further allied offensives. Eventually allied forces retook all lost ground by early April.

To support Operation Vulcan the Eighth Army aimed to tie down as many Axis troops as possible, while the 1st Army was making their attacks. Called Operation Oration, the British objective was to break through the Enfidaville Line. The is meant taking the high ground as well as the tactically important town of Enfidaville. To reinforce the First Army, the 1st Armoured Division was transferred from the Eighth Army on 18 April. Montgomery, unhappy with this move, hoped to breakthrough first and capture Tunis. Facing the Eighth Army was the 1st Army (General Giovanni Messe) a mix of veteran but under strength Italian and German divisions.^[3]

On 19 April, X Corps (Brian Horrocks) launched an attack after an artillery bombardment. The 4th Indian Infantry Division (Francis Tuker) and the 2nd New Zealand Division (Bernard Freyburg) advanced into the hills west of Enfidaville to capture Takrouna and Djebel Garci hill respectively.^[4] The Italians defending their main defensive line fell back to another defensive line to escape the bombardment. The 50th Northumbrian Division took the town of Enfidaville after severe fighting. The New Zealanders took the village of Takrouna along with its dominating hill and the 4th Indian Division took the southern portion of Djebel Garci with many casualties. By the end of the first day it was clear a breakthrough had not been achieved.^[5]

Montgomery allowed the offensive to continue but the next day was dominated by German counter-attacks led by Fritz Bayerlein. Attempts to retake the lost ground were repelled with severe losses on both sides. With the advance halted, Montgomery learned that the Axis position in Africa was hopeless through ULTRA intelligence. He ordered Oration to be terminated on 21 April as further casualties were not worth it. Montgomery authorised local minor attacks in order to keep the pressure on Axis forces in front of the Eighth Army while Vulcan was in progress.^[6]

While the British were preparing for Vulcan, the Germans launched a spoiling attack on the night of 20/21 April 1943. Code named Unternehmen Fliederblüte (Operation Lilac Blossom) they were to strike at V Corps on Djebel Djaffa, also known as Banana Ridge in an attempt to retake it.^[7]

The Germans attacked four points simultaneously, including a pass on the north side of Djebel Djaffa.^[8] Elements of the 10th Panzer Division supported by Tiger Tanks and infantry from the 1st Hermann Göring Division surprised the British and broke through the positions on the ridge, but fell headlong into British artillery ready for Vulcan. In the ensuing bombardment, with the British firing sometimes over open sights, the Germans suffered severe losses in men and tanks. British troops supported by Churchill tanks counter-attacked and pushed the Germans back and after determined fighting, retook Banana Ridge.^[4]

The British V Corps began with a preliminary attack on 21 April, aimed at retaking the heights of Djebel el Ahmera, Sidi Ahmed ridge and Djebel Rhar, known collectively as Longstop Hill. The hill had been lost to the Germans four months earlier.^[9] The hill was defended by the reinforced 999th Light Afrika Division which was composed of the 962nd Afrika-Schützen-Regiment and the III/754th Grenadier Regiment. Infantry of the 78th (Battleaxe) Division and Churchill Mk III tanks of the North Irish Horse assaulted the position.

Djebel Ahmera was seized on 24 April by the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and the East Surrey Regiment after severe fighting. Later that day an attempt was made by East Surreys and a squadron of tanks, to clear Sidi Ahmed ridge just north of Longstop Hill and that too was captured and held.

The main hill, Djebel Rhar was attacked on 2 April, when the Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) along with Churchill tanks stormed up the hill. With gradients of 1:3 the Churchills managed to creep over the crest of the hill and breached the German defences, much to the surprise of the defenders. The Buffs and Argylls then cleared the German positions - some 650 prisoners were taken during the battle. Longstop was the last great natural barrier barring movement towards Tunis.^[10]

The main V Corps attack was made by the 1st Infantry Division and the 4th Infantry Division in the Medjerda valley and Medjez el Bab. 1st Division's objective was Point 174, a ridge between Grich el Oued and Gueriat el Atach near Medjez El Bab. On 22 April, the attack began with 45 tanks of the 142nd Regiment Royal Armoured Corps and the 2nd Infantry Brigade backed by massed artillery. The 2nd North Staffords, seized the nearby Points 151 and 156, holding both against German counter attacks. The Loyal Regiment then led the assault on Point 174 that was captured in a costly success; while digging in they were ejected by a German counter-attack.

The next day, the 3rd Infantry Brigade with support of Churchill tanks from 48th Royal Tank Regiment and 147 Regiment Royal Armoured Corps launched a new attack. The 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters without tank support, who were late arriving, had managed to capture a position near Point 174 and in an assault finally seized the position.^[11] After its capture the following day, the Germans again counter-attacked with tanks including Tigers from the 504th Heavy Panzer Battalion (schwere Panzer-Abteilung 504). The leading platoon was immediately overrun with only PIAT and mortar fire to defend against the Tigers. Churchill tanks and anti tank guns were brought up and the counterattack was repelled with the Germans in retreat, and Point 174 was consolidated. In addition a Tiger tank (Tiger 131) was captured intact, which proved valuable.^[12]

On 24 April, the 4th Infantry Division went to attack three features around Peter's Corner, Sidi Abdullah, Cactus Farm and 'Point 133'. Once captured, it was then hoped that 10th and 21st Tank Brigades would storm through beyond the sheltered village of Ksar Tyr.^[13] The fighting was costly against German units in well-prepared and dug-in defences. They were opposed by German Fallschirmjager (paratroops) of the elite Division Hermann Göring. At Cactus Farm, the British infantry was faced by extensive defensive fire from well-concealed German paratroopers. Churchill tanks of the 12th Royal Tank Regiment (21st Tank Brigade) advanced without infantry support and the tanks were attacked with Molotov cocktails and sticky Teller anti-tank mines. Twelve tanks were destroyed and in some cases, their crews were rescued by the Germans. On 30 April another attack went in, but the Germans this time had evacuated the farm to a new defensive position.^[14]

II US Corps commanded by Major General Omar Bradley attacked on two areas in the North and the South. The Northern attack began on 23 April with the Corps francs d'Afrique a mixed force of French escapees from Vichy France, Moroccon Tabors, Berber tribesmen, Spanish Loyalists and other political refugees in support. Avoiding the valleys the Americans took the more strenuous task of attacking along the ridges sometimes with mule trains. Despite heavy casualties the objectives were taken by 25 April and held against counter attacks. Eventually Kef en Nsour was taken on 2 May which overlooked the Mateur plain. ^[15][16]

The 9th Infantry division next to them moved towards Jefna with Djebel Anchouna and the Hills beyond - 432 ('Bald') and 438 ('Green') as their objectives. By 30 April after heaving fighting Djebel Anchouna's crests were taken, and after a heavy artillery bombardment the Germans abandoned Jefna. The Americans then captured 'Green' and 'Bald' Hills which opened up the Jefna-Mataur road and leaving Axis forces hanging on the edge of the Mateur plain.^[17]

Meanwhile the Southern attack was directed against Hill 609 (Djebel Tahent) which was the last commanding height on the German defensive line in front of them. It was thus heavily defended and was one of the most difficult objectives in Tunisia due to its steep slopes. The hill was flanked by two others Hill 490 and Hill 531.^[18]

On 26 April the attack commenced - 34th Infantry Division was ordered to take the hill backed by II US Corps artillery. After bitter resistance from the German defenders which included a German paratroop unit (Barenthin), the attack stalled over the next two days with severe casualties.^[19] Hearing of the failure this far Anderson requested that hill should be bypassed, but Bradley angrily turned this down. The attack went in again and Hill 490 was won on 28 April, but attempts on Hill 531 and 609 again stalled. German flanking fire made the assault costly. Further attempts resulted in heavy losses and by 29 April, US units had gained Hill 531 but attacks on Hill 609 had again been repelled. By this point US losses were 183 killed, 1,594 wounded and some 676 captured or missing.^[20]

On 30 April Bradley desperatly wanted the hill seized and this time sent in Sherman tanks. With heavy artillery support, the Americans despite losing a number of tanks reached the hill and drove off the Germans. Having dug in on the plateau, the expected German counter attack came in the next day but the Americans held on to their postions. The capture of Hill 609 was not only a relief for Bradley, but also a much needed American victory providing a springboard for further successes.^[19] By 1 May the seizure of Hill 609 forced the Germans to retreat to a defensive line near the Garaet Achkel salt lake only 20 km (12 mi) from Bizerte.^[21]

The First Army had dented the line but had not broken through and had lost some 252 tanks, a considerable portion of its armour. Ultra decrypts revealed that the Axis forces were at breaking point. By 1 May, the Germans were down to 69 operational tanks (including four Tigers) in the entire Tunisian theatre. In addition the counterattacks had used up almost all of the remaining fuel reserves, thereby restricting future mobility.^[22]

Vulcan had made less progress than hoped, it had, however taken key strategic positions and also forced the Axis to withdraw along certain areas of the front. Vulcan along with Operation Flax, played an important part in weakening the Axis frontline.^[23]

On 30 April it was realised that a revision was necessary to achieve success. The revised final phase of the assault on Tunis was code named Strike and launched six days later. For the battle IX Corps was reinforced with veteran units of the Eighth Army, the 7th Armoured Division (Major-General George Erskine), 4th Indian Division (Francis Tuker) and the 201st Guards Brigade.

The 4th Infantry Division and the 4th Indian Division were to attack the Axis defences on a narrow front and the 6th Armoured Division and 7th Armoured Division were to "dash through" the gap opened and capture the high ground 6 mi (9.7 km) west of the city. In support of this V Corps was to capture Djebel Bou Aoukaz to protect the left flank, the II US Corps was to capture the high ground east and west of Chouigui, the river crossings at Tebourba and Djedeida and finally Bizerta, and XIX Corps was to take Zaghouan.^[24]

The operation began at 3:00 a.m. in the morning with troops moving up and artillery concentrations on enemy positions. Four hundred guns were available for the 3,000 yd (2,700 m) front. In two hours over 16,000 shells were fired in support of the 4th Infantry Division. At first light aerial support was available from the Northwest African Tactical Air Force with some medium bombers of the Northwest African Strategic Air Force. Between bombers, fighter bombers and fighters nearly 2,000 sorties were carried out in 24 hours.^[25]

In the morning of 7 May, the 6th Armoured Division and 7th Armoured Division "met only scattered resistance". The 26th Armoured Brigade was in sight of Tunis by the afternoon. Patrols of the 1st Derbyshire Yeomanry and 11th Hussars reached the centre of Tunis around 4:00 p.m.. The 6th Armoured Division was then ordered to stop Axis defensive positions being formed before the Cape Bon peninsula.

On the same day Operation Retribution was launched. This was an air and naval blockade designed to prevent the seaborne evacuation of Axis forces from Tunisia to Sicily. Axis forces were now completely isolated in northern Tunisia.

The II US Corps entered Bizerte and cut off the remains of 5th Panzer Army. With the British–American link-up at Protville, General von Vaerst unconditionally surrendered him and his battered forces to US troops.^[26]

In the centre in the mountainous Zaghouan sector around 22,000 Germans also ceased fighting and surrendered with their equipment to the Free French.

The German commander, General Hans-Jürgen von Arnim, surrendered on 12 May to British forces.^[27] Around Enfidaville, the remaining 80,000 troops of the Italian 1st Army was still holding the Allied forces.

On 13 May, RAF and artillery continued their bombardment against all remaining Axis forces in Tunisia, under the command of Marshal Giovanni Messe. Messe had, with Mussolini's approval, tried to negotiate an "honourable surrender" the previous day but this had been rejected. Earlier in the morning he was promoted to the rank of field marshal but the Allies would only accept unconditional surrender and threatened to resume their attacks, which had been halted the day before.

At 12:20 hours Messe gave the orders - and the remaining German commander, Kurt von Liebenstein, surrendered late in the day unconditionally to Lieutenant-General Sir Bernard Freyberg^[28] Later that day the First and Eighth Armies met at Bou Ficha, thus completing the operation, as well as the Tunisian and North African campaign as a whole.

• A beach near Porto Farina strewn with debris - a German SdKfz 11 half-track gun tractor lays in the water
• Wrecked Axis aircraft at Castel Nenito Airdrome.
• Italian Field Marshal Giovanni Messe surrenders to Lieutenant-General Sir Bernard Freyberg
• Hans-Jürgen von Arnim in captivity leaving for England

By the close of the operation, nearly 240,000 German and Italian troops had been captured. General Alexander signalled to Winston Churchill,

"Sir it is my duty to report that the Tunisan Campaign is over. All enemy resistance has ceased. We are masters of the North African shore."

Joseph Goebbels meanwhile wrote that the end in Tunisia was on the same scale as the defeat in the Battle of Stalingrad; as such many Germans coined the term 'Tunisgrad'.^[29]

Of the high ranking Axis generals Messe, Von Arnim and Von Vearst were taken into captivity. Messe was only held until September following the Italian Armistice and was made chief of staff of the Italian Co-Belligerent Army by the allies. Von Arnim and Gustav von Vaerst were sent to Britain where they were held and interrogated at Trent Park. Von Arnim would end up at Latimer House where he would be bugged in conservation with fellow high ranking captured German generals. Both Von Vearst and Von Arnim were later sent to the United States to Camp Clinton and were released in 1947.

On 15 May the Allied 18th Army Group was disbanded, and a Victory March was held in Tunis on May 20. Units of the First and Eighth Armies and representative detachments of British, American and French forces marched past, with bands playing and generals Eisenhower, Alexander and Giraud taking the salute.^[30] With North Africa in Allied hands, plans quickly turned to the invasion of Sicily and Italy.

• North African campaign timeline