Here's a question. Was the allied plan to break enemy forces at El Alemain and then launch Torch as a follow up really the best way to go about things ?
A quick glance of the map tells me that that was were the enemy was most concentrated, and the position kind of played to the Axis strengths (no battle of maneuver, close-in fighting to minimize the effect of airpower, heavily fortified positions, narrow front). So, given this, did the Allies have any other alternatives ? I thought about a couple of possible options, and wanted to check on how doable they are:
Scenario A
Significant forces kept in Egypt but naval landings at Tripoli and/or Benghazi. Rommel is cut off and forced to disengage from El Alemain, leading to a battle of maneuver in the open field the allies can win easily (better armor, numerical superiority, airpower etc)
Scenario B
Torch brought forward couple of weeks/El Alemain delayed. Rommel is probably forced to retreat to save his rear areas, leading to an open field battle etc etc.
Scenario C
Allied landing in Tunisia only, with the aim of reaching Tripoli ASAP, while significant forces in Egypt stand by to pounce the axis as soon as they abandon their fortified line. The rest of French North Africa is bound to follow more or less on its own.
Scenario D
Allied landing in Sicily. This might be the most risky, but could potentially lead, if successful, to Rommel being more or less cut off. What kind of forces did the Italians have in Sicily to resist a determined Allied landing ?
Scenario E
Anything else you can think of...