Battle of Sidi Bou Zid

Part of the Tunisia Campaign of World War II

Tunisian Campaign, January–April 1943

Date	14–17 February 1943
Location	Sidi Bou Zid, Tunisia 34°52′N 9°29′E / 34.867°N 9.483°E / 34.867; 9.483Coordinates: 34°52′N 9°29′E / 34.867°N 9.483°E / 34.867; 9.483
Result	German victory

Belligerents

United States

Germany

Commanders and leaders

Lloyd Fredendall

Orlando Ward

Hans-Jürgen von Arnim

Heinz Ziegler

Casualties and losses

2,546 missing
103 tanks

Sidi Bou Zid

Sidi Bou Zid in Tunisia

The Battle of Sidi Bou Zid (Unternehmen Frühlingswind/Operation Spring Breeze) took place during the Tunisia Campaign from 14–17 February 1943, in World War II. The battle was fought around Sidi Bou Zid, where a large number of American units were mauled by German and Italian forces. It resulted in the Axis recapturing the strategically important town of Sbeitla in central Tunisia. The success at Sidi Bou Zid was reversed by April by counter-attacks by British and American forces. The battle was planned by the Germans to be a two-part offensive-defensive operation against US positions in western Tunisia.

Generaloberst Hans-Jürgen von Arnim commanded several experienced combat units, including the 10th Panzer Division and the 21st Panzer Division of the 5th Panzer Army, which were to sweep north and west towards the Kasserine Pass, while another battle group attacked Sidi Bou Zid from the south. Facing the attack was the II US Corps (Major General Lloyd Fredendall). In a few days, the Axis attack forced the II US Corps to take up new defensive positions outside Sbiba. Axis troops were then given time to consolidate their new front line west of Sbeitla. The success of the offensive led the German High Command to conclude that despite being well equipped, American forces were no match for experienced Axis combat troops.

The Allied effort to capture Tunis in late 1942 following Operation Torch had failed and since the year end a lull had settled on the theatre, as both sides paused to rebuild their strength. Hans-Jürgen von Arnim commanded the Axis forces defending Tunisia. By this time, his command was strengthened to become the 5th Panzer Army (5.Panzer-Armee). Arnim chose to maintain the initiative gained when the Allies had been driven back the previous year by making spoiling attacks to keep his intentions hidden.

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