Company B: A Fierce Fighting Force in the Tunisian Campaign of World War II
In the early days of the American advance into Tunisia, a tank destroyer company went on a risky but successful offensive—virtually alone.
Here's What You Need to Know: Company B’s success was also a tribute to the courage and spirit of its soldiers.
For the United States Army, the long road to Germany began in the mountainous deserts of Tunisia in mid-November 1942. Earlier in the month thousands of GIs had come ashore in the Vichy French territories of Morocco and Algeria. After the brief fighting with French troops ended and a political settlement had been reached, the Americans turned their attention to the east, toward the Germans and Italians. On May 13, 1943, those enemies would capitulate, ending the North African campaign. Although their British allies were seasoned veterans of the desert war, the roughly six-month period between landing and surrender would be a tough one for the U.S. forces. The newly resurgent U.S. Army was taking its first, tentative steps into the realm of modern warfare.