North Africa 70th Armor Regiment

campaign map showing route of 70th tank battalion across north africa, sicily, , europe during world war ii. u.s. army

the 70th tank battalion landed in north africa not battalion, 3 dispersed companies, each attached separate assault element , landing on 8 november 1942. battalion headquarters , residue remained in united states.

company landed 2nd battalion, 39th infantry regiment, 9th infantry division @ algiers, part of eastern task force of operation torch. initial ground combat light, company faced repeated air raids when began guarding glida airport. company had light duties in algiers until reported col. edson raff , 509th parachute infantry regiment @ fériana, tunisia. attachment 509th brief, , company found attached french combat units, , british, in vicinity of ousseltia valley remainder of north african campaign. along company a, 601st tank destroyer battalion, company american unit in sector. allied units closed on bizerte , tunis in final stages of campaign, german , italian troops preferred surrender company of american light tanks rather british or french. estimate of prisoners taken company between 11–13 may 1943 tallied between 17–20,000. company had impressed french allies: 25 men received croix de guerre , company selected honor guard international victory parade in tunis on 20 may. in june 1942, company rejoined rest of 70th tank battalion @ arzew, algeria.

lakehurst, formerly seatrain new jersey, after discharging medium tanks @ safi north africa.

company b landed 47th regimental combat team of 9th infantry division @ safi, morocco in order secure port. port needed facilitate unloading medium tanks of 2nd armored division advance on primary objective @ casablanca. meeting light resistance, company suffered no casualties , port secured 1530. company remained in place while larger force built around 3rd infantry division moved toward casablanca. shortly thereafter, company b moved through casablanca , rejoined company c near port lyautey.

company c s objective, all-weather airport @ port lyautey, have been taken on 8 november. however, company put ashore @ mehdya plage, 3 miles intended landing site. due navigational error , more spirited response french defenders @ other landing sites, airfield did not fall until 11 november. assault role completed, company c reverted routine duties near port lyautey. after company b rejoined them, 2 companies remained in area through january 1943.

when tank companies deployed north africa, battalion headquarters , other elements remained in fort bragg, north carolina until 1 january 1943. remainder of battalion decamped new york , boarded ss santa rosa @ staten island on 13 january. santa rosa docked @ casablanca on 29 january 1943.

with of battalion (still minus company a) reunited, 70th tank battalion moved rail casablanca tlemcen, algeria on 4 february 1943. @ tlemcen, battalion made responsible training free french soldiers later formed of cadre of 2nd french armored division. continued in role until may 1943, when ordered proceed arzew, algeria. there company caught rest of battalion, , unit first time since september 1942.