The Battle of Kasserine Pass

The Battle of Kasserine Pass took place in World War II during the Tunisia Campaign. It was, in fact, a series of battles fought around Kasserine Pass, a two-mile wide gap in the Grand Dorsal chain of the Atlas Mountains in west central Tunisia. 

The Axis forces involved were primarily from the German-Italian Panzer Army (the redesignated German Panzer Army Africa) and the Fifth Panzer Army led by General Hans-Jürgen von Arnim. The Allied forces involved came mostly from the U.S. Army's II Corps which was part of the British First Army commanded by Lieutenant-General Kenneth Anderson.

What do you know about the Battle of Kasserine Pass?  Attack this World War II History Made Easy Trivia quiz.  "Check Your Answers" at the end of the page.

1. Who was the II Corps commander at the battle?

• Lloyd Fredendall
• Robert Boyington
• Max Baer

2. Who was the German Panzer Army Africa commander at the battle?

• Erwin Rommel
• Peter Becker
• Max Schmeller

3. What day did the battle begin?

• January 19, 1943
• February 19, 1943
• March 19, 1943

4. Within minutes, the U.S. lines were broken. Their light guns and tanks had no chance against the heavier German equipment, and they had little or no experience in armored warfare. The German Panzer IVs and Tiger tanks fended off all attacks with ease; the M3 Lee and M3 Stuart tanks they faced were inferior in firepower and their crews far less experienced.

• True or False?

5. U.S. commanders radioed higher command for permission to arrange a counterattack or artillery barrage, often receiving a go-ahead after the lines had already passed them. Once again, the 1st Armored Division found itself ordered into useless positions, and by the second day of the offensive, two of their three Combat Commands had been mauled while the third was generally out of action.

• True or False?

6. Morale among the U.S. troops started to fall precipitously, and by evening many troops had pulled back, leaving their equipment on the field. The pass was completely open, and it appeared the supply dump at Tébessa was within reach.

• True or False?

7. The 10th Panzer Division was just outside the small town of Thala, with two road links to Tébessa. A collection of British, French, and U.S. forces freed from the line to the north known as Nickforce were sent piecemeal into the lines at Thala. In the morning an intense artillery barrage from the massed Allied guns pre-empted the planned attack by 10th Panzer, destroying armour and vehicles and disrupting communications. What did the German commander decided?

• Pause and regroup
• Attack
• Turn to the south

8. Overextended and undersupplied, the German decided to end the offensive. Fearing that the approaching British Eighth Army would be able to break through the Mareth Line unless it was reinforced, he disengaged and started to withdraw east.

• True or False?

9. When did the battle end?

• January 25, 1943
• February 25, 1943
• March 25, 1943

10. Who became commander of II Corps?

• Omar Bradley
• Bax Baxter
• George Patton

11. What is the 1980 film that depicts the Battle of Kasserine Pass as the first major engagement of the squad.

• Patton
• The Big Red One
• Baker Company

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