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to cut the Axis line of retreat. The American II Corps was to secure
Maknassy and contain enemy armor which would otherwise be availï؟¾able for use against the Eighth Army. All available air power in
North Africa would be used to support the attack.
The Americans started first. At dawn on 16 March operations
were launched by the II Corps in order to carry out its part of the
plan. The attacking force consisted of the 1st Armored Division
and the 1st and 9th * Infantry Divisions. Gafsa was occupied withï؟¾out opposition on 17 March, and supply points were established for
the later use of the Eighth Army. The American troops pushed on
and occupied El Guettar. So far the Italians, who were holding this
part of the front, had offered little opposition and had executed a
planned withdrawal, but east of El Guettar they took up a strong
defensive position to halt any further advance of the Americans.
Farther north, rains immobilized the 1st Armored Division and
delayed its attack on Maknassy.
The battle began at Mareth on the night of 20-21 March. The
XXX Corps’ attack against the north sector of the Mareth Line was
at first successful. The 50th Division began the assault and during
21 March gained a foothold in the Mareth defenses, a bridgehead
two miles wide beyond the deep Wadi Zigzaou, which was the chief
antitank obstacle. Axis counterattacks were held off for the next
two days, but in the face of increasing pressure the British had to
withdraw to their original positions on the night of 23-24 March.
Meanwhile the New Zealand Corps had moved out during the
night of 19-20 March. After completing a 150-mile march across
trackless mountains and deserts, it made contact with the enemy
southwest of El Hamma on 24 March.
In view of the failure to penetrate the left of the enemy line, Genï؟¾eral Montgomery decided to reinforce the New Zealand Corps; so
the X Corps headquarters and the British 1st Armored Division
were sent to join the New Zealanders on the night of the 23d. The
combined forces were then designated the X Corps.
This increasing threat to Rommel’s line of retreat forced him to
transfer most of his German troops from the Mareth position to El
Hamma, leaving the Italian divisions and a few Germans to face
the XXX Corps. General Montgomery immediately took advantage
of this weakening of the Axis line and ordered the 4th Indian Diviï؟¾sion to drive to the west to open up the Medenine-Bir Soltane road.
The 7th Armored Division was held behind the south flank of the
* One regimental combat team of the 9th was attached to the 1st Armored
Division.
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