Air Support after the Reorganization of February 1943

Abstract

The inability of ground and air commanders in Tunisia to deploy and control their forces effectively caused a general reorganization of forces and intelligence in February 1943. Finally, much of the experience gained during the fighting in the Western Desert was drawn upon, while many officers and personnel from the Eighth Army and the Western Desert Air Force were transferred to Tunisia. A more streamlined and rational command structure, with better communications between the command levels and services, allowed the already improving intelligence system to be more easily integrated into operations. Alongside these changes to C³I, airfield construction, repair and salvage, and general supply were improved, while valuable combat experience enhanced the quality of Allied forces. Thus, Allied air forces were able to provide far better support to greater effect.