Hewitt's Western Task Force

The words

1. Augusta

   Augusta carried Patton off Fedala. The naval battle delayed his journey ashore while American ships maneuvered to avoid French torpedoes and gunfire.

   Western Task Force, Augusta passage · Army campaign history: Morocco landings (opens a new tab)

2. Brooklyn

   Brooklyn supported the Fedala landings with naval gunfire. Alongside Augusta and destroyers, it helped shield the landing force during fighting off Casablanca.

   Howe, ch. VII, fire-support vessels · Howe, ch. VII: Fedala to Casablanca (opens a new tab)

3. Convoy Escort

   The Atlantic Fleet retained responsibility for ocean escort of later convoys from the United States to North Africa. Protection continued beyond the first landing.

   Howe, ch. III, follow-up convoys · Howe, ch. III: naval command and convoys (opens a new tab)

4. Fedala

   Fedala was selected for the main infantry landing north of Casablanca. The plan called for troops to move inland and approach the city from the east.

   Western Task Force plan · Army campaign history: Morocco landings (opens a new tab)

5. Goalpost

   Goalpost was the northern landing force’s code name. Its mission centered on obtaining Port-Lyautey’s airfield for aircraft supporting the attack on Casablanca.

   Howe, ch. VIII, opening mission · Howe, ch. VIII: Mehdia and the airfield (opens a new tab)

6. Hewitt

   Rear Admiral H. Kent Hewitt commanded the naval force supporting Patton’s Moroccan landings. His command included warships, carriers, troop transports, cargo ships and auxiliaries.

   Western Task Force, naval composition · Army campaign history: Morocco landings (opens a new tab)

7. Massachusetts

   The battleship Massachusetts fought the unfinished French battleship Jean Bart off Casablanca on November 8, 1942. Jean Bart was moored at a pier.

   Did you know?

   Veterans campaigned to preserve Massachusetts after it left service. With help from Massachusetts schoolchildren, the ship was brought to Fall River in June 1965.

   Historical Overview · Battleship Cove: Massachusetts (opens a new tab)

8. Morocco

   Morocco was a French protectorate during Torch. Vichy’s resident-general exercised colonial authority and oversaw racial laws that restricted Jewish residents’ lives.

   Protectorates and Morocco · Holocaust Museum: Morocco under Vichy (opens a new tab)

9. Naval Support

   Navy carriers supplied air support while the Allies sought airfields ashore. Naval assistance included aircraft and transport protection as well as ships’ gunfire.

   Western Task Force plan · Army campaign history: Morocco landings (opens a new tab)

10. Port Lyautey

    Port-Lyautey’s airfield stood beside the Sebou River, inland from Mehdia. Its runways and hangars made it a key objective for bringing Allied aircraft ashore.

    Howe, ch. VIII, terrain description · Howe, ch. VIII: Mehdia and the airfield (opens a new tab)

11. Primauguet

    The French cruiser Primauguet fought the American force on November 8, 1942. Gunfire and carrier aircraft damaged it; uncontrollable fires forced crew members overboard.

    Howe, ch. VII, The Naval Action · Howe, ch. VII: Fedala to Casablanca (opens a new tab)

12. Safi

    Safi’s port was selected for landing armor south of Casablanca. Tanks brought ashore there were intended to join the advance on the city.

    Western Task Force, Blackstone · Army campaign history: Morocco landings (opens a new tab)

13. Supply Convoy

    Supply ships could reach the coast before their cargo reached the troops. At Fedala, lost landing craft and limited carrying capacity delayed unloading.

    Howe, ch. VII, unloading at Fedala · Howe, ch. VII: Fedala to Casablanca (opens a new tab)

14. US Navy

    Alongside Navy crews, Coast Guard personnel manned invasion transports such as Leonard Wood. Their work included carrying troops and cargo across the Atlantic and landing them ashore.

    Arrival in North Africa · Coast Guard history: North African landings (opens a new tab)

15. Western

    Western identified Torch’s Moroccan Atlantic landings. This American force sailed from the United States, while the other two Torch forces sailed from Britain.

    Three Task Forces Organized · Coast Guard history: North African landings (opens a new tab)