Operation D. Torch the Focus

Operation D. Torch

The focus of a campaign or major operation is the achievement of the Theater of War or Operations objective(s) -- the military condition(s) or end state that defines success for Theater, and which ultimately contribute to achieving National or Alliance objectives. Considering the strategic guidance provided to General Eisenhower in the Directive for Commander-in-Chief Allied Expeditionary Force, and based on the outline plan: What is the end state that defines success for the Allied M/NATO Theater / North African Campaign? Justify your selection?

The end goals that defines success for the M / NATO in North Africa includes: the complete destruction of Axis forces in the Western desert (which are facing the British), to take over Axis held positions in the region and to use the gains in this theater of operations as stepping stone for invading Europe. To achieve these objectives the strategy called for directly assaulting French held Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. This would open the way for the Allies to surround Axis forces in Libya and it will provide a staging area for extending supply lines in the future. Evidence of this can be seen, with these objectives calling for, "A combined land, sea and air assault against the Mediterranean Coast of Algeria, with a view to the earliest possible occupation of TUNISIA, and the establishment in FRENCH MOROCCO of a striking force which can control the STRAITS of GIBRALTAR, by moving rapidly, if necessary, into SPANISH MOROCCO." This is showing how the basic strategy was to occupy the French controlled parts of North Africa. Then, the Allies could divide a wedge between the Axis powers and defeat the Germans in the Libyan Desert. ("Operation Torch," 1942)

What do you deduce is the Axis (German/Italian) Theater Strategic Objective in North Africa?

The Axis powers want to isolate the British from being resupplied. This means that there is a focus on taking control of the Suez Canal. At the same time, they need have access to Middle Eastern and North African oil reserves. If Germany and Italy can achieve these objectives, they will drive the British out of parts of: the Middle East, North Africa and the Mediterranean. ("Operation Torch," 1942)

Of Operation TORCH's objectives, what specific operational level objective achieves the military end state for the operation?

The operational objectives that will signal the end of the operations for the North African theater include: the control of French held territories in the region, the destruction of the German -- French fleet and the elimination of all Axis forces in Libya. Once all of these different objectives have been achieved, is when the Allies will deny the Germans access to key natural resources. ("Operation Torch," 1942)

Centers of gravity can be derived from an ends, ways, and means analysis and have associated critical factors -- critical capabilities, critical requirements, and critical vulnerabilities. Based on the (M/NATO theater and TORCH objectives (ends) of both the Axis/opposing forces and Allies complete the matrixes below. Justify your answers. Note in 2a the CoG is given, but fill in the critical factors. Note that questions 2b and c are specifically for the TORCH operation.

2A.

Axis North Africa CoG Matrix

Critical Capabilities

Center of Gravity

Controls large sections of North Africa.

Algiers and Tripoli

The ability to quickly target and strike new targets.

Critical Requirements

Critical Vulnerabilities

Requires lots of resources to continue with war.

Lack of available materials and resources. ("Operation Torch," 1942)

These factors allowed the Allies to identify where Axis operational command was working out of and potential vulnerabilities. Over the course of time, this would help them to attack and isolate the Germans and Italians in North Africa. ("Operation Torch," 1942)

2B.

Critical Capabilities

Center of Gravity

Controlled the Middle East, Mediterranean and Egypt.

Alexandria, Egypt

The ability to launch air, land and sea attacks.

Gibraltar

Large bases of support in the area. Suez Canal

Critical Requirements

Critical Vulnerabilities

Large replacement and reserve forces.

Inability to move beyond supply lines.

Tremendous amounts of natural resources and support. Lack of coordination. ("Operation Torch," 1942)

These factors are showing how the Allies had the ability to defeat the Axis forces when they focused their efforts. Once this occurred is when these benefits helped them to isolate the German and Italians. ("Operation Torch," 1942)

2C.

Operation TORCH Enemy CoG Matrix

Critical Capabilities

Center of Gravity

Controls large sections of North Africa.

Algiers and Tripoli

The ability to quickly target and strike new targets.

Critical Requirements

Critical Vulnerabilities

Requires lots of resources to continue with war.

Lack of available materials and resources. ("Operation Torch," 1942)

These areas are illustrating how the Allies were able to identify potential weakness and exploit them. This is the focus of Operation TORCH in achieving these objectives. ("Operation Torch," 1942)

How does TORCH directly or indirectly attack the enemy's theater strategic center of gravity (see 2a)?

The way that Operation TORCH is attacking the enemy's strategic centers of gravity is to: assault, exploit and isolate. The way that this occurs is through the realization that the French German alliance is one that was based on convenience. An attack on Algiers and other French held territories would strike a major blow to the Axis efforts in the area. Once this happens, is when the Allies could effectively isolate the Germans in Libya. This is when they will begin going after Tripoli and the remaining forces in the area until they are destroyed. In the future, this can serve as a staging area for attacking German and Italian forces throughout the Mediterranean. ("Operation Torch," 1942)

How does TORCH directly or indirectly protect the friendly (see 2b) center of gravity?

The approach that Operation TORCH is using is to protect the Allies centers of gravity by: going after specific targets that are a threat to them. This means seeking out ways to attack Axis forces that are in the vicinity of these locations. Once this occurs, is when the threat is reduced for this particular area. This causes the Germans and Italians to stop attacking other targets in order to protect their own interests. In this aspect, the successes of one part of the strategy will have an indirect positive impact on other centers of gravity that are important to the Allies. ("Operation Torch," 1942)

What decisive points (not necessarily objectives) do you identify as important to achieve TORCH's objectives? Explain your selection.

The most significant milestones that must be achieved as a part of TORCH's objectives include: the capture of French controlled North Africa / Algiers, the destruction of the Axis fleet / bases of support and the isolation of the Germans in Libya. The combination of these factors is important, because they will provide a devastating blow to German efforts to gain control of the Suez Canal. ("Operation Torch," 1942)

This is when Germany will not have access to the natural resource they require (i.e. oil) to continue with a long drawn out war effort. Instead, the Germans are forced to regroup and take more of a defensive approach to protect their own interests in the region. The problem is that this will not work in dealing with these issues (for the Germans), as this effort will slowly isolate the Axis powers (in a war of attrition). Moreover, the capture of French held territories and forces will serve as a way of increasing the number of troops that are engaging the Germans on the battlefield. This is because intelligence reports are showing that French troops have no loyalty to their commanders or the new fascist government (i.e. The Vichy Republic). Any kind of attack by the Allies on these areas of influence would set off a chain of events that will lead to the Axis powers isolation and destruction of their forces in North Africa. ("Operation Torch," 1942)