Operation Blackstone
Operation Blackstone | |||||||
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Part of Operation Torch of the North African Campaign of World War II | |||||||
![]() A map showing landings during the operation | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
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Commanders and leaders | |||||||
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Strength | |||||||
Ground forces: 6,400 troops Naval activity: 8 warships 6 transports | Ground forces: 300 troops 3 tanks shore batteries and artillery pieces | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
US: 3 dead 25 wounded[1] | France: 300 troops captured |
- v
- t
- e
- Invasion of Egypt
- Compass
- Fort Capuzzo
- Nibeiwa
- Sidi Barrani
- Bardia
- Mechili
- Beda Fomm
- Kufra
- Giarabub
- Sonnenblume
- Tobruk
- Brevity
- Skorpion
- Battleaxe
- Crusader
- Flipper
- 1st Bir el Gubi
- Battle of Point 175
- 2nd Bir el Gubi
- Fort Lamy
- Gazala
- Mersa Matruh
- 1st Alamein
- Alam Halfa
- Agreement
- Bigamy
- Caravan
- Nicety
- Camouflage
- Bertram
- Braganza
- 2nd Alamein
- El Agheila
- Flagpole
- Kingpin
- Blackstone
- Casablanca
- Reservist
- Terminal
- Port Lyautey
- Brushwood
- Run for Tunis
- Sidi Bou Zid
- Kasserine Pass
- Ochsenkopf
- Medenine
- Mareth Line
- El Guettar
- Wadi Akarit
- Longstop Hill
- Hill 609
- Vulcan
- Flax
- Retribution
- Strike
Operation Blackstone was a part of Operation Torch, the Allied landings in North Africa during World War II. The operation called for American amphibious troops to land at and capture the French-held port of Safi in French Morocco. The landings were carried out by the 47th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army and took place on the morning of 8 November 1942 as part of a larger operation to capture Casablanca.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ad/Operation_Torch_-_message_from_the_president_of_United_States_to_the_citizens_of_Casablanca.jpg/250px-Operation_Torch_-_message_from_the_president_of_United_States_to_the_citizens_of_Casablanca.jpg)
The landings from converted destroyers were mostly successful. They were initially conducted without covering fire, hoping that the French might not resist at all. When coastal batteries opened fire, the fleet returned fire. When commanding General Harmon arrived French snipers had pinned the assault troops (most of whom were in combat for the first time) on the beaches. Most of the landings occurred behind schedule; air support from the carriers destroyed a French convoy of trucks intended to reinforce the defenses.
Safi surrendered on the afternoon of 8 November, but sporadic resistance continued until 10 November when the remaining defenders were pinned down and the bulk of Harmon's forces raced to join the siege of Casablanca.[2][3]
See also
References
- ^ Northwest Africa: "Seizing the Initiative in the West," Chapter VI, Taking Safi, By, George F. Howe, https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-MTO-NWA/USA-MTO-NWA-6.html
- ^ "militaryvetshop.com 2nd Armored". Archived from the original on 2014-10-25. Retrieved 2014-07-22.
- ^ US Armored Units in the North African and Italian Campaigns 1942-45,page 8, By Steven J Zaloga
- 2d ARMORED DIVISION "Hell on Wheels"
- waratlas.org 17th Armored Engineer Battalion
- ww2db.com Operation Torch -Operation Blackstone
- stamfordhistory.org Operation Torch -Operation Blackstone