Essay on "Operation TORCH Military Approach"

Essay 8 pages (3395 words) Sources: 0

[EXCERPT] . . . .

staff officer with the Combined Chiefs of Staff, European Theater of Operations. As a recent CGSOC graduate, your supervisor has asked you to review the Norfolk Group's plan and related documents (Parts 2 and 3). The Combined Chiefs will meet soon to be briefed on the planning thus far to advise President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill on the status of Operation TORCH. Your supervisor's instructions to you are":

"I want you to review this outline plan and the associated communications (Parts 2 and 3) and give me your assessment of how well TORCH supports the M/NATO theater objectives and how well TORCH includes the main elements of operational art and design. However, to do this correctly you first need to understand the M/NATO environment and situation. Use operational design methodology thinking to understand the North African campaign and how TORCH fits in it. Do not give me a national or European strategy assessment. Answer the questions I have provided, and give me some responses I can give the Combined Chiefs. Remember that TORCH is a major operation subordinate to a larger North African Theater Campaign. The Chiefs will be here in about six hours, so you don't have much time."

"Requirements are listed below, beginning on page two of this document.

Read each question carefully!"

"Section A: Theater Strategic level, the North African Campaign"

"1. Review the Operational Approach Student Aid Slide #7 for this question'.

Operational Design and the Operational Approach is a process of iterative understanding and problem framing that supports commanders and staffs in their application of operational art with tools and a methodology to conceive of and construct viable approaches to operations and campaigns." (JP 5-0, III-1). In the context of the Mediterranean/North Africa Theater of Operations (M/NATO), using the contextual background notes and material provided for this exam in Parts 2 and 3, apply operational design thinking as described in JP 5-0 chapter III to answer the following.

a. "In your words, describe the operational environment. [Do not exceed one-half of a typed, double-spaced page.]"

The operational environment is the solid understanding of the problem at hand while describing the strategy of achieving the end state. The operational approach is a methodology and tool to construct a viable approach in iteratively understanding the problems to support staff and commanders in the application of operation arts with methodology and tools to construct and conceive viable approaches to campaign and operations. The operation was the large part of North African campaign involving the British Eight Army in Egypt. Analysis of the M/NATO operational environment reveals that Vichy French Forces controlled Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco while the Axis combat Forces (German and Italian) occupied Western Egypt and Libya. However, some Axis Service Troops were stationed in Tunisia. The Allied UK forces stationed in Malta, Egypt and Gibraltar.

However, TORCH geographical scope is limited to Algeria, Fr. Morocco, Tunisia and adjacent waters because the operation TORCH consisted of a major operation conducted by the North Africa and Mediterranean theater of operation. Typically, M/NATO was important both for Allies and Axis because it secured or exposed the soft underbelly of Europe. Moreover, the M/NATO lengthened and shortened the lines of communication to British India and the Soviet Union. The M/NATO also provided an opportunity for Allies in opening the Second Front against the pressure of the Soviet Union. Major factors affecting the Operation TORCH was the narrow strip of the northern Morocco that was opposite the Gibraltar peninsula identified as a Spanish protectorate. However, Spanish Morocco was neutral because Franco's Spain was neutral. Unless Spain denounced their neutrality, the Axis troops would be prevented from stationing there.

b. "In your own words, describe the Allies' M/NATO theater-level desired end state. [Your answer should be one to five sentences.]"

The Allies' M/NATO desired end state is to establish a mutually and firm supported lodgments at Oran Algiers Tunis near the north coast in the Casablanca area. The M/NATO also aimed to achieve the intensified and continued ground, air and sea operations, and vigorously use rapid exploitation to acquire a complete control of the sea that includes Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. The end state is also to facilitate effective ground and air operations against the enemy in order to create favorable condition for offensive operations against the Axis Forces. The M/NATO end state was also to annihilate the Axis Force that is opposing the British forces stationed at the Western Desert as well as intensifying the sea and air operations. The M/NATO desired end state is also to develop and execute the forces to deploy, redeployment and mobilize the allied forces.

c. "Concisely describe the problem or obstacle that is preventing the Allies from achieving their end state. [Your answer should be one to five sentences.]"

The problem that Allies might face from achieving their end state was the ability to prevent enemy reinforcement from reaching Tunisia, thus, the Mediterranean Commander in Chief will use every tactic to prevent the seaborne traffic between Tunisia and Sicily or Italy. Another problem is the strategy to be employed in using the Assault Force sent to Malta to act as the striking forces. The weather deterioration is another problem because the problem can cause the Allied Force to lose their tactical strategy, and can make the escorts and convoys remaining at sea. The weather problem from western winds can prevent the Allied Forces achieving their end states.

2. "Centers of gravity (COGs) can be derived from ends, ways, and means analysis of the problem's 'system' and have associated critical factors -- critical capabilities, critical requirements, and critical vulnerabilities. You will identify the M/NATO theater-level adversary Cog and its critical factors. [Do not exceed one typed, double-spaced page.]"

The M/NATO center of gravity is the deterioration of weather that can prevent the Allied Forces reaching their end state. It is essential to realize that weather condition such as the strong wind can prevent the Allied force at sea to reach the shore thereby stationing at the sea. The weather can also prevent the Air Force from launching their operations successfully because the foggy weather will prevent the pilot seeing clearly, which will jeopardize the M/NATO operation. The weather condition will also lead to lead to a loss of tactical surprise, and limit the escorts and convoy remaining at sea. The inability to prevent enemy's reinforcement is another issue that can prevent the Allied forces reaching their end state since the prevention of the Axis reinforcement is very important in achieving the Allied forces objectives.

a. "What is the Axis desired end state (not objectives)? [Your answer should be one to five sentences.]"

The Axis desired end state is to use the Italian Ally's operations and forces in Egypt. Moreover, the Axis forces intend to cut the Suez Canal in order to deny the British forces from getting access to the Western Mediterranean. The Axis forces end state was also to weaken the capabilities of Allied forces to secure the Suez Canal since the Britain heavily depended on the Canal for the importation of oil and other essential raw materials.

b. "Complete the quad chart below. Type your answers into the 4 text boxes; the text boxes will expand to fit your answer."

Both were separated by considerable distances with stretches of water, thus, sending the resources to allied forces was threatened because of a long distance. The critical resources such as transportation, crude oil and communication need to be protected.

c. "Provide a justification for the responses you provided in part b [About 3-5 sentences]:"

A major critical capabilities of the Allied forces is to defeat the enemy because this is the major end state of the war. However, effective resources such as communication, transportation, crude oil and combatant forces are the effective critical requirements to achieve the end state. Moreover, weather problem can prevent the Allied Forces achieving the end state. Thus, communication and transportation need to be protected to assist the Allied Forces reaching their end state.

Effective communication

Crude oil for the transportation

Effective transportation system

Availability of weaponry

Ready combatant forces.

The weather deterioration can prevent the Allied Forces reaching their end state. Inability to prevent enemy's reinforcement.

Defeat the Axis Forces

Weaken the Axis forces

Complete annihilation of the Axis forces

Deplete the Axis resources

Prevent the Axis reinforcement

3. "Describe an Operational Approach that explains the Allied theater campaign." "The operational approach reflects an understanding of the operational environment and the problem while describing the commander's visualization of a broad approach to achieving the desired end state" (JP 5-0, pg III-13). [Related doctrine: JP 5-0, Chapters III and IV]."

"Using the contextual background notes in Part 2 and the documents in Part 3 of this exam, concisely describe in narrative form the operational approach the Allies plan to take in the M/NATO campaign to achieve the desired theater end state. [Do not exceed one typed, double-spaced page.] "

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