American Signal Intelligence in Northwest Africa and Western Europe

Chapter 3. Axis Initiative in February 1943

Axis Plans — Allied Expectations

Less than a week later, after Faid Pass had indeed been taken and held by Axis troops despite counterattacks by II Corps, the Allied estimate was confirmed and expanded. The Axis forces were now expected to try to contain as much as possible of the Allied force in the north and to improve their hold on mountain passes in the Eastern Dorsal, in order to avoid either an Allied penetration of the bridgehead or an Allied turning of the "Tunis position." The Axis mobile striking force could be expected to move into areas from which to threaten Sbeitla and perhaps Maktar farther north. The objective of Axis operations still further south would be to strengthen the defense of ...