(7) Command, control, and communications.
Unity of command directs that “for every objective, ensure unity of effort under one responsible commander (Military).” The purpose of unity of command is to direct and coordinate actions of forces toward a common objective. However, in a coalition environment, “unified action creates situations where the military commander does not directly control all elements in the area of operations. In the absence of command authority, commanders cooperate, negotiate, and build consensus to achieve unity of effort. (Military)” As has already been mentioned, the Allies were having great difficulty in ensuring unity of effort let alone unity of command in North Africa. Likewise Rommel’s plans of attack had to …show more content…
Defending the pass was a force consisting of the U.S. 1st Battalion, 26th Regimental Combat Team, a battery of French artillery, the 6th Field Artillery Battalion, a tank destroyer battalion and the U.S. 19th Combat Engineer Regiment. On the hills to their west was French General Welvert's Task Force Welvert comprising a U.S. Ranger and infantry battalion, three French infantry battalions, two U.S. field artillery battalions, four French artillery batteries and engineer and anti-aircraft detachments. Furthest west was Task Force Bowen (consisting of the 3rd Battalion of the 26th Regimental Combat Team), blocking the track from Feriana towards Tebessa. Between Task Force Bowen and Tebessa to the north was the regrouping 1st Armored Division although only Combat Command B were fit for combat. The positions in the pass had been placed under Colonel Alexander Stark, commander of the 26th RCT, on the night of February 18 and the command named Stark …show more content…
The US II Corps concentrated its strength at Tebessa, where Allied commanders Lloyd Fredendall and Kenneth Anderson (UK) believed they could best protect the Kasserine Pass. Rommel, however, sensed the opportunity. With the momentum working against the Allied forces, he realized an attack directly on their main strength through the Kasserine Pass might yield impressive gains — the capture of much needed supplies, protection of the German-held coastal region to the east, and a possible forward staging area for the Luftwaffe to launch further
Unity of command directs that “for every objective, ensure unity of effort under one responsible commander (Military).” The purpose of unity of command is to direct and coordinate actions of forces toward a common objective. However, in a coalition environment, “unified action creates situations where the military commander does not directly control all elements in the area of operations. In the absence of command authority, commanders cooperate, negotiate, and build consensus to achieve unity of effort. (Military)” As has already been mentioned, the Allies were having great difficulty in ensuring unity of effort let alone unity of command in North Africa. Likewise Rommel’s plans of attack had to …show more content…
Defending the pass was a force consisting of the U.S. 1st Battalion, 26th Regimental Combat Team, a battery of French artillery, the 6th Field Artillery Battalion, a tank destroyer battalion and the U.S. 19th Combat Engineer Regiment. On the hills to their west was French General Welvert's Task Force Welvert comprising a U.S. Ranger and infantry battalion, three French infantry battalions, two U.S. field artillery battalions, four French artillery batteries and engineer and anti-aircraft detachments. Furthest west was Task Force Bowen (consisting of the 3rd Battalion of the 26th Regimental Combat Team), blocking the track from Feriana towards Tebessa. Between Task Force Bowen and Tebessa to the north was the regrouping 1st Armored Division although only Combat Command B were fit for combat. The positions in the pass had been placed under Colonel Alexander Stark, commander of the 26th RCT, on the night of February 18 and the command named Stark …show more content…
The US II Corps concentrated its strength at Tebessa, where Allied commanders Lloyd Fredendall and Kenneth Anderson (UK) believed they could best protect the Kasserine Pass. Rommel, however, sensed the opportunity. With the momentum working against the Allied forces, he realized an attack directly on their main strength through the Kasserine Pass might yield impressive gains — the capture of much needed supplies, protection of the German-held coastal region to the east, and a possible forward staging area for the Luftwaffe to launch further