Battle of the Mareth Line

The Battle of the Mareth Line pitted Allied forces, including a French component from Africa, against German-Italian troops entrenched in former French fortifications from the colonial period. After several unsuccessful frontal assaults, Montgomery opted for an outflanking maneuver via the southern flank, where French forces contributed to the breakthrough. The Mareth Line fell, opening the road to Gabès and Tunis.

After the failure of the German offensive at Médenine, the Allies took the initiative. The Mareth Line, originally built to defend Tunisia against Italy, was now occupied by the Axis. French forces knew the area well and actively participated in joint operations, marking their effective return to the war of liberation.

Montgomery first attacked the fortified positions frontally, without success. He then launched Operation Supercharge II: an outflanking maneuver toward the Wadi Zigzaou. The French Army of Africa contributed to this southern breakthrough by pinning down enemy positions to the east and deploying colonial artillery in support. An artillery barrage preceded the combined armor-infantry assault. The enemy withdrew toward Wadi Akarit.

The fall of Mareth was a turning point in the Tunisian campaign. French forces, engaged on the front line, gained strategic legitimacy. It heralded the Axis debacle in North Africa. This victory accelerated the military merger between Free France and the Army of Africa, preparing future operations in Europe.