Editing Operation Torch (section)

=== Allied forces ===
{{Further|Operation Torch order of battle}}[[File:Operation Torch.jpg|thumb|Allied convoys heading from the British Isles to North Africa]]The Allies organised three amphibious task forces to simultaneously seize the key ports and airports in Morocco and Algeria, targeting [[Casablanca]], [[Oran]] and Algiers.{{Sfn|Gelb|1992|p=121-125}}

A Western Task Force (aimed at Casablanca) was composed of American units, with [[Major general (United States)|Major General]] [[George S. Patton]] in command and [[Rear Admiral]] [[Henry Kent Hewitt]] heading the naval operations. This Western Task Force consisted of the U.S. [[3rd Infantry Division (United States)|3rd]] and [[9th Infantry Division (United States)|9th Infantry Divisions]], and two battalions from the [[2nd Armored Division (United States)|U.S. 2nd Armored Division]], 35,000&nbsp;troops in a convoy of over 100&nbsp;ships. They were transported directly from the United States in the first of a new series of [[UG convoys]] providing logistic support for the North African campaign.{{sfn|Hague|2000|pp=179–80}}

The Centre Task Force, aimed at Oran, included the U.S. 2nd Battalion [[509th Infantry Regiment (United States)|509th Parachute Infantry Regiment]], the [[1st Infantry Division (United States)|U.S. 1st Infantry Division]], and the [[1st Armored Division (United States)|U.S. 1st Armored Division]], a total of 18,500&nbsp;troops. They sailed from the United Kingdom and were commanded by Major General [[Lloyd Fredendall]], the naval forces being commanded by Commodore Thomas Troubridge.{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=209}}

Torch was, for propaganda purposes, a landing by U.S. forces, supported by British warships and aircraft, under the belief that this would be more palatable to French public opinion, than an Anglo-American invasion. For the same reason, Churchill suggested that British soldiers might wear [[Uniforms of the United States Army|U.S. Army uniforms]], and [[No. 6 Commando]] did so.{{Sfn|Mangold|2012|p=159}} ([[Fleet Air Arm]] aircraft did carry [[United States military aircraft national insignia#Roundels|US "star" roundels]] during the operation,{{sfn|Brown|1968|p=93}} and two British destroyers flew the [[Flag of the United States|Stars and Stripes]].{{Sfn|Mangold|2012|p=159}}) In reality, the Eastern Task Force, aimed at Algiers, was commanded by [[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant-General]] [[Kenneth Anderson (British Army officer)|Kenneth Anderson]] and consisted of a brigade from the [[78th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|British 78th]] and the [[34th Infantry Division (United States)|U.S. 34th Infantry Divisions]], along with two British commando units ([[No. 1 Commando|No.&nbsp;1]] and No.&nbsp;6 Commandos), together with the RAF Regiment providing 5 squadrons of infantry and 5 Light anti-aircraft flights, totalling 20,000&nbsp;troops. During the landing phase, ground forces were to be commanded by U.S. Major General [[Charles W. Ryder]], [[Commanding officer|Commanding General]] (CG) of the 34th Division and naval forces were commanded by Royal Navy [[Vice-Admiral]] [[Sir Harold Burrough]].{{Sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=209}}

Aerial operations were split into two commands, with [[Royal Air Force]] aircraft under [[Air Marshal]] Sir [[William Welsh (RAF officer)|William Welsh]] operating east of [[Cape Tenez]] in Algeria, and all [[United States Army Air Forces]] aircraft under Major General [[Jimmy Doolittle]], who was under the direct command of Major General Patton, operating west of Cape Tenez.{{Sfn|Pack|1978|p=44}}