Operation Torch was the Anglo-American invasion of French North Africa during World War II, launched on November 8, 1942. It was the first major joint Allied offensive and marked the entry of American ground forces into the European-African theater.
Background
The operation was a compromise between American and British strategic priorities. The Americans favored a direct cross-Channel invasion of France, while the British argued for operations in the Mediterranean first. President Roosevelt ultimately sided with Churchill, and North Africa was selected as the target.
The Landings
Three task forces landed simultaneously at Casablanca (Western), Oran (Center), and Algiers (Eastern). Over 100,000 Allied troops were involved in the initial landings. Vichy French resistance varied from fierce at Oran and Casablanca to minimal at Algiers.
Aftermath
The Vichy French forces ceased resistance on November 11 following a deal with Admiral Darlan. The landings eventually led to the Tunisia Campaign and the complete expulsion of Axis forces from North Africa by May 1943, opening the way for the invasion of Sicily and Italy.