ABSTRACT
A retirement across open terrain that was perfect for the operations of enemy tanks and dive bombers would bring the French forces to disaster. His troops lacked motor vehicles; three-quarters of their equipment was mule-drawn, their antitank guns were ludicrous, their antiaircraft weapons ridiculous. The newly arrived French battalion was part of a mass movement of Allied units coming from Algeria and other areas west of the Tunisian front, some from as far distant as Morocco. When Rommel reached the scene, he saw in the renewed action a confidence that he estimated came from the arrival of strong allied reinforcements during the night. He too remarked the increased volume of artillery shelling. He approved Broich’s decision to postpone the offensive until the Allied thrust was contained. Apprised of Robinett’s complaint, Fredendall decided that the dissolution of his command post prevented him from taking the requisite control.
