Reel 2 of Tunisian Victory (1944) follows the Allied invasion fleet as it moves toward North Africa for Operation Torch. Aboard troop transport ships, soldiers pass time with music while preparing for the battle ahead. Communication between ships is highlighted, including Morse code signaling and semaphore flag messages, as the massive fleet coordinates its movements.
Animated maps illustrate Operation Acrobat, detailing the plan to land at Casablanca, Oran, and Algiers simultaneously, cut off Rommel’s supply lines, and trap his forces between the Allied invasion and the British 8th Army advancing from the east. As the fleet passes through the Straits of Gibraltar, the German high command in Berlin is alerted. Onboard his ship, Major-General George Patton delivers a speech to his men before they land at Casablanca.
The uncertainty of Vichy French resistance is answered when shore batteries open fire on Allied ships. The British fleet retaliates, silencing the guns at Oran. In Algiers, searchlights signaling surrender end hostilities. The reel also features spectacular airborne footage, as U.S. 2nd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment jumps over Oran to secure the Tafraoui and La Senia airfields. The reel concludes with fierce combat at Casablanca’s beaches, showcasing the intense battle to secure North Africa.
Tunisian Victory (1944) - WWII North Africa Campaign Documentary