Operation Torch.
Lasting from November 8-11, 1942, Operation Torch was an Allied raid landing in French North Africa; they had hoped to meet little resistance from the Vichy-French, and accomplish the task they had intended to carry out. They had hoped to cut out the Italian and German forces located in Vichy territory. The Vichy forces, however, had set up a great defense in Oran and Morocco. In Algiers though, where there had recently been an uprising of the French resistance. The city was captured on the very day of the invasion. Allied Generals Dwight D. Eisenhower and Mark Clark had successfully persuaded Vichy Admiral Darlan to order an end to the resistance in Oran and Morocco. Darlan was persuaded to do so under the stipulation that he would be named head of the Free French Administration. At the same time, the Naval Battle of Casablanca was taking place between the American, Vichy, and German Naval vessels. The majority of this battle was fought between Americans who were backing up the invasions of Operation Torch, and the Vichy-French who were defending the neutrality of French controlled Morocco. German forces arrived in U-Boats just as the French surrendered to the Allies. With each side experiencing casualties and equipment losses, the battle ended with an American victory. In the days after Operation Torch, the French fleet was captured by the Italians; fortunately though, many ships had been scuttled to prevent their use by the Axis forces. Also during this time, the Vichy Forces in North Africa decided to join the Allied forces.