December 1st, 1942. The "race for Tunis" appears to be over, as the arrival of winter threatens to bog down the Allied drive eastward. For the Axis forces, it is now necessary to drive back the allied forces in an attempt to purchase some additional room for their bridgehead.
Accordingly, Field Marshall Kesselring directed the newly arrived commander of the 10th Panzer Division, Major General Wolfgang Fischer, to regain the ground running from Tebourba Gap to Massicult. As afirst step, General Fischer planned to drive back an Allied force at Chouigui, which was performing a dual role in covering both the right flank of the 11th British Brigade at Tebourba Gap, as well as Chouigui Gap itself.
The Allied covering group at Chouigui was known as Blade Force, and was an interesting collection of Allied units. It was under orders to protect both the road to Tebourba, as well as Chouigui Gap itself. On the morning of December 1st, the following forces were there:
More Stalemate Before Tunis Axis Counterattack Begins
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© Copyright 1991 by Greg Novak.
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