Battle of Sidi Bou Zid

The Battle of Sidi Bou Zid (February 14, 1943 - February 17, 1943) was a World War II battle that took place during the Tunisia Campaign. The battle was fought between forces of Nazi Germany and forces of the United States.

What do you know about the Battle of Sidi Bou Zid? Try this World War II History Made Easy Trivia quiz.  "Check Your Answers" at the end of the page.

1. The battle of Sidi Bou Zid was part of what North Africa campaign?

• Gibraltar Campaign
• Tunisia Campaign
• Libya Campaign

2. What American Corps did General Lloyd Fredendall command?

• I Corps
• II Corps
• IV Corps

3. In January 1943, the German-Italian Panzer Army (Deutsch-Italienische Panzerarmee) had retreated to the Mareth Line, originally a French line of defensive fortifications near the coastal town of Medenine in southern Tunisia. Who commanded the German-Italian Panzer Army?

• Adolph Becker
• Erwin Rommel
• Adam von Richen

4. Fifth Panzer Army commanded by Colonel General (Generaloberst) Hans-Jurgen von Arnim. It was made up of 10th and 21st Panzer Divisions. On January 30, von Arnim had sent 21st Panzer to attack the Allied position held by French XIX Corps. What was the Allied position?

• Sidi Pass
• Atlas Mountain
• Faid Pass

5. At 04:00 on February 14 four battle groups drawn from 10th and 21st Panzer Divisions and under the leadership of Lieutenant General Heinz Ziegler, the deputy to Arnim, advanced to attack Sidi Bou Zid, the U.S. communications and supply center for the Eastern Dorsale of the Atlas Mountains. How many German were used in the operation?

• 40 German tanks
• 140 German tanks
• 240 German tanks

6. Under heavy shelling from the Germans, Colonel Thomas Drake leading 1,900 men of his 3rd Battalion 168th RCT requested permission to retreat. This request was denied by Fredendall who ordered them to hold their positions and wait for reinforcements until the help arrived. This never happened.

• True or False?

7. By 5 p.m. German forces had made contact and the tanks and artillery of Combat Command A (CCA) had been driven nearly 15 miles west to Djebel Hamra with the loss of 44 tanks and many guns. The infantry were left marooned on the high ground at Djebel Lessouda, Djebel Ksaira and Djebel Garet Hadid. How many CCA tanks had been lost?

• 22 tanks
• 44 tanks
• 66 tanks

8. During the night General Ward moved up Combat Command C (CCC) to Djebel Hamra to counter attack Sidi Bou Zid on February 15. However, the attack was over flat exposed country and was bombed and strafed early in the movement and then found itself in a pincer from the two German armored Divisions employing more than 80 Panzer IV, Panzer III and Tiger I tanks.

• True or False?

9. By the evening February 15, von Arnim had ordered three of the battle groups to head towards Sbeitla. They were engaged by the battered CCA and CCC who were forced back. On February 16, helped by intensive air support, they drove back the fresh combat command and entered Sbeitla. Who was the fresh combat command?

• Combat Command B
• Combat Command D
• Combat Command M

10. The poor performance of the Allies during the actions of late January and the first half of February as well as at the subsequent Battle of the Kasserine Pass led the Axis commanders to conclude, notwithstanding that Allied units were generally better equipped, they were facing inferior opposition, both in terms of leadership and tactical skills. This became received wisdom among the Axis forces and resulted in a later underestimation of Allied capabilities as units became battle-hardened and poor commanders were replaced.

• True or False?

Battle of Sidi Bou Zid Answers

1. Tunisia Campaign

2. II Corps

3. Erwin Rommel

4. Faid Pass

5. 140 German tanks

6. True

7. 44 tanks

8. True

9. Combat Command B

10. True