Operation Torch - The Eastern option

The eastern option would have been very risky. The German and Italian air forces seriously pounded British attempts to resupply Malta (in the same region), sinking or damaging a great many ships.

It was the last part through the Straits of Sicily that was the problem - it would make sense for the initial landings to be around Bizerte, outside the Strait, before land based airforces were established around Tunis.

800px-Strait_of_Sicily_map.png
 
The British carrier strength seemed to be the escort carriers (Biter, etc) and also Illustrious. Anything more?

Actually, Illustrious was in the Indian Ocean during Torch. The Mediterranean landings were covered by her sisters Formidable and Victorious, along with Furious, Argus, and two CVEs (Archer and Biter). The only other Royal Navy fleet carrier still afloat was Indomitable, and she was in the U.S. (bomb damage from Operation Pedestal).

However, if you cancel the Western landings then you have Ranger and the four Sangamons available for the Mediterranean. That's a total of five CVs and six CVEs. That's a lot of carriers, especially in 1942. Would this be enough for the changes proposed to Torch?
 
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Sorry - my mistake. Victorious. Looked at the wrong pic.

Insofar as surprise was achieved, I think it is fair to say that some air dominance would have been achieved. With this amount of carriers the planes should be in place.

The other thing is of course the composition of the air forces off the carriers. US experience from Pacific would be great. However, were they comparing notes at all at this stage? It still reads very much as European war and then King's war somewhere else.

Correct that a landing around Tunis is risky. The actual landing would be one problem, but if surprise has been achieved it is possible to get ashore at least.

The next hurdle if of course re-supply. This close to Sicily is a risk, however, air cover might eliminate it.

The related action is: No additional troops from Germany to be landed = Kursk has an extra set of man-power.
Consequences of this?
 
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