The Battle of Kasserine Pass, or Dude, where is My General?
The US Armys initial baptism of fire against veteran German troops proved to be a humbling experience. Rommels Afrika Corps soundly routed the green US troops in their first major engagement in 1943 at Kasserine Pass in Tunisia. The US suffered the loss of over 2,500 men and almost 300 tanks and vehicles. The US troops quickly learned from their mistakes, and in time earned the respect by of their adversary Rommel. But the real mystery was, where was their commanding officer, Major General Lloyd Fredendall, during the battle? He was to be found 70 miles behind the front lines, secure in an elaborately built underground bunker located in a ravine. Omar Bradley would call it “an embarrassment to every American soldier” Eisenhower would later write: “It was the only time during the war that I ever saw a divisional or higher headquarters so concerned over its own safety that it dug itself underground shelters.” Fredendall seldom visited the frontlines, or conferred with his frontline comma
