Battle of the Kasserine Pass facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Kasserine Pass
Part of the Tunisia Campaign of World War II
Date 19–24, February 1943 Location Kasserine Pass, Tunisia Result Axis tactical victory
Belligerents
United States  United Kingdom  France	Germany  Italy
Commanders and leaders
Lloyd Fredendall Kenneth Anderson	Erwin Rommel
Strength
30,000	22,000
Casualties and losses
10,000 (including 6,500 Americans) 183 tanks	2,000 34 tanks

The Battle of the Kasserine Pass, named for a pass through the Atlas Mountains, was a battle fought in Tunisia. It was part of the North African Campaign. The battle took place from 19 February 1943 to 24 February 1943.

The Axis forces were commanded by Erwin Rommel. They were mostly made from the Afrika Korps and The Italian Centauro Armoured Division (with units of Italian Tunisians). They also included some divisions from the German 5th Panzer Army. The II Corps of the U.S Army was led by Lloyd Fredendall. The British 1st Army was led by Kenneth Anderson.

This battle is remembered as the first major battle between the Americans and Germans in World War Two. The Americans were trying to get to Tunis quickly, before more Axis troops could arrive from Europe.

It was the first battle in which the American soldiers fought an enemy with better organization and experienced soldiers. The battle at the beginning was very costly for the Americans. Many of them died and they were forced to retreat 50 miles (80 km) from their starting position at the Faid Pass. American and British reinforcements soon arrived to help and they forced Rommel to retreat to better positions.

This battle caused a change in American military organization, to better prepare the army for the war in North Africa. Several commanders were replaced. When Rommel and the Americans fought again weeks later, the American improvements were seen in battle.

Related pages

• Tunisia

Images for kids

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  Tunisia, January 30 – April 10, 1943

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  Battle of Kasserine Pass

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  An M3 Lee tank of U.S. 1st Armored Division advancing to support American forces during the battle at Kasserine Pass

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  U.S. troops taken prisoner during the battle march through a Tunisian village

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  British soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards establishing positions on difficult terrain at Thala, February 24, 1943

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  Italian Semovente assault guns

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  Rommel in Tunisia speaking with troops riding a captured American-built M3 half-track

See also

In Spanish: Batalla del paso de Kasserine para niños