Failure Of Operation Torch

As Operation Torch, the North African Campaign, was coming to an end, the Allies made the next logical decision to attack Sicily and the “soft underbelly” of the Axis with Operation Husky. This decision continued the momentum gained with the success in North Africa, opened the shipping lanes in the Mediterranean and provided relief to the Russian front . Although, Operation Husky was successful, better integration of the attributes of mission command, understanding, trust and intent and the joint functions of fires and movement and maneuver would have led to a quicker and more decisive defeat of the Axis in Sicily.
The decision to attack Sicily compounded a series of mission command issues that plagued the Allies throughout the North African
This lack of understanding required a hands on top down driven approach to ensure the unity of effort by all partners, which is made possible through decentralized execution of centralized, overarching plans . As the Allied Supreme Commander, General Eisenhower, due to continued operations in Africa, failed to drive the process, influence teams and commands and ensure the unity of effort. A primary responsibility of any Commander . Eisenhower dedicated the planning for Operation Husky to Major General Gairdner, Force 141. Force 141 suffered from a lack of command influence, geographic distances between key decision maker and an inexperienced staff . The plan approved by this staff was so heavily criticized by General Montgomery that Eisenhower relented and approved a plan created by Montgomery’s staff, creating much ill will between senior officers . The inability of General Eisenhower and Alexander, his Deputy and Allied Ground Force Commander, to develop a common understanding magnified the atmosphere of distrust amongst his commanders that slowed the development and execution of the plan and allowed the continued buildup of German forces in
Although, there were plenty of instances in which units at the tactical level consolidated lost forces, disrupted communication lines, and succeeded in capturing critical objectives, the Allied 7th and 8th Army failed to do the same at the operational level due to the lack of a clear and concise purpose of the operation and overall end state . The lack of a long-term strategy for the conduct of the war against the Axis resulted in Operation Husky being just the next logical step following Operation Torch. This lead the Allies to seeing the country as critical for opening communication lanes, diverting German strength from the Russian front and pressuring Italy to drop out of the war . However, General Eisenhower failed to establish a clear and concise purpose and intent for the Allies on Sicily and allowed the German and Italian armies to delay the inevitable until they diverted soldiers to Italy from the Russian front in its defense and withdrew over 114,000 men, 5500 vehicles and 6800 tons of equipment . Eisenhower’s failure to establish any commander’s intent hampered the initiative by his commanders and delayed the capture of Sicily and the destruction of the German Army before they could escape through