Tunis 1943

In a series of bitter but often forgotten battles fought in the hills and plains west of Tunis, the British First Army began its final offensive to destroy the 5th Panzer Army.



The road to Tunis had been a long and difficult one for the Allies. After a series of setbacks against Axis forces, British General Kenneth Anderson's First Army had been substantially reinforced by April 1943. The time had come to launch Operation Vulcan, the start of the final offensive to destroy the Italian and German armies left in Tunisia that would ultimately result in the surrender of 250,000 Axis soldiers.



Historian Ian G. Mitchell explores the fierce fighting in northern Tunisia. He examines Allied plans and Axis preparations, the role of air and sea power and the involvement of US and French forces. With detailed maps, period images and stunning artwork, this book covers the actions at Banana Ridge, the Basin, Longstop Hill, Gueriat el Atach, Jebel Bou Aoukaz and Cactus Farm. While the fighting outside Tunis has often been overlooked, Vulcan was a major air and land battle marked by actions of great gallantry. Four Victoria Crosses were awarded during the operation.