The Western Task Force (WTF) was split into 3 sub-taskforces.
- Operation Blackstone tasked with taking Safi
- Operation Brushwood tasked with taking Fedala
- Operation Goalpost tasked with taking Mehdia Port Lyautey
Each with their own objectives, they worked together to capture Casablanca and give the Allies a foothold in North Africa and more dominance in the Atlantic. The WTF had 30 Ships, 2,953 Vehicles, and 33,843 troops at its disposal.
Operation Torch Overview. Obtained from US Army Center of Military History.
Operation Blackstone
Led by Maj. Gen. Ernest N. Harmon, this operation was the southernmost landing and aimed to seize Safi (now called Asfi). Taking Safi, a relatively lightly defended outpost, would allow for the Allies to employ the use of medium tanks in their siege of Casablanca, providing much needed firepower against the French forces.
Out of all the operations in the Western Taskforce, Blackstone had the least complications. The amphibious landing was done successfully and Safi was overtaken within the day. Along with taking Safi and obtaining the surrender of French Troops in the town, Navy bombers disabled the Marrakesh airfield, crippling the French Air Force.
Operation Brushwood
Led by Maj. Gen. Jonathan W. Anderson, Brushwood was the largest landing of the Western Taskforce. The objective was to take Fedala (now called Mohammedia), a town 12 miles northeast of Casablanca. The bulk of the taskforce’s troop was assigned to shutdown coastal batteries, seize control of Fedala, and become the main infantry force to Casablanca.
The amphibious operation in Fedala had many complications with many of the landing crafts not reaching their intended destinations. The resistance in Fedala was also the fiercest with several extensive engagement between American and French forces. Eventually, through extensive naval and aerial bombardment and tenacious combat, the Allies broke through the coastal fortified positions. In a couple days, Maj Gen Anderson’s forces were surrounding Casablanca and ready to storm the city.
Operation Goalpost
Helmed by Maj. Gen. Lucian K. Truscott, Operation Goalpost was tasked with overtaking the only all-weather airfield in Morocco. Success would mean that the French Air Force would lose a significant amount of air support and would give the Allies a launch point for air operations across North Africa.
Out of all the landings, the Mehdia landing was the most challenging. The unique geography caused by the S-shaped Sebou River, errors in communications, formation building, and location of proper disembarkation points caused significant complications in the operation. Although the Allies were able to take the port and airfield, this was done with significant delays and non-negligible losses.
