Civil Affairs and AFHQ, from ‘Torch’ to the Sicilian Campaign, 1942–43

Abstract

The commitment of the Anglo-American alliance to operations in French North Africa at the end of 1942, as well as posing formidable military problems also raised contentious political questions and issues as territories began to be occupied and populations liberated in the wake of the advancing armies. The efforts of London and Washington to coordinate their approaches in the so-called ‘civil affairs’ field were significant for the divisions in high-policy they produced, serving as the background against which military operations might have to be undertaken, and for future prospects of cooperation. Just as in the fields of strategy and command, the British also attempted to widen and strengthen their influence in the political realm in the Mediterranean during the Allied campaigns from ‘Torch’ to Sicily. Here too one can see a trend whereby the Americans assumed the lead in the political arrangements that accompanied the landings in French North Africa, only to be slowly displaced by the manoeuvrings of their British partner. As each state jostled to assume a controlling or senior voice, in order to protect perceived interests, to translate material superiority into greater influence, or simply to ensure they were not outdone by their partner, the persistent element of competition in the overall relationship gained more prominence.