Episode Overview

Theme/Purpose:
In episode 558 of The History of WWII Podcast, titled "Of All the Gin Joints In the World," host Ray Harris Jr. delivers a gripping, deeply detailed account of the American landings in French Morocco during Operation Torch in November 1942. Focusing specifically on the planning, execution, and immediate aftermath of the landings at Fedala near Casablanca, Ray balances military narrative with poignant observations on public sentiment, soldier experience, and the complex French response.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Context: American Anxiety and Secrecy

• Build-up to Torch: Before the landings, the U.S. public and many political figures—including Charlie Chaplin and Wendell Wilkie—were demanding action and a second front, echoing Stalin’s impatience (04:41).
• Secrecy Maintained: The operation was tightly guarded; confusion and frustration among Americans gave way to elation once the news broke of the landings (05:28):

  "On the morning of November 8th, all those questions, concerns and doubts that the American people had came to an end when the radios and newspapers exploded with the news that American troops under General Eisenhower had landed in North Africa."

• Learning Curve: War correspondent Alan Moorhead is cited to highlight how U.S. civilians had little understanding of what lay ahead for their soldiers (06:14).

2. Operation Torch – Forces and Planning

• Western Task Force: 33,843 Americans, over 100 ships, led by Major General George S. Patton Jr. and Rear Admiral Henry K. Hewitt (07:14).
• Landing Sites:
  • Fedala: Main landing, 18 miles north of Casablanca, threatening Rabat.
  • Mehedia/Port Lyautey: Further north, key airfield.
  • Safi: Southern landing for Sherman tanks, utilizing its deep-water harbor (08:36).
• Defenses: French Moroccan forces comprised about 55,000 troops, 120 tanks, and significant coastal batteries and aircraft (09:19).

3. Code Words and Lighthearted Morale

• American Procedures: If fired upon, the phrase “batter up” was used; permission to return fire responded with “play ball” (10:13). For ID ashore: "George" – "Patton".

  "Matching this light-hearted approach... once ashore, their call and response would be the following. They would call out George. The correct response had better be Patton."

• Naval Command Structure: Focus on coordination between Major General Jonathan W. Anderson and Rear Admiral Lyle A. Davidson at Fedala (10:48).

4. Fedala Landings – D-Day at Morocco

• Initial Delays and Dangers:
  • Rough tides led to confusion, delays, and loss of equipment and men (13:55):

    “The tides were intense, pushing the landing craft around like toys... By the time the sun set... 160 of the 347 landing craft would be lost.”

• First Contact and Fire:
  • As troops landed, French searchlights and batteries opened up. U.S. destroyers replied preemptively, sometimes before explicit permission (15:32):

    “Oh, they asked for permission, radioing ‘batter up.’ But had already started firing. As the saying goes, it is easier to ask for forgiveness than it is permission.”

• Engagements and Surrender of Batteries:
  • Battery du Pont Blandon surrenders at 7:30am; Fedala secured by 6am (16:27).
  • Notable moment: U.S. naval guns mistakenly shelled American troops and civilians, prompting frantic radio (17:24):

    “At 8:35am For Christ's sake, quit firing. You are killing our own troops. This is from army. You are killing townspeople. No opposition ashore. If you quit firing, they will surrender.”

  • Subsequent surrenders of French positions following assaults and bombardment (18:14).

5. Naval Actions off Casablanca

• French Batteries and Warships:
  • U.S. battleship Massachusetts, supported by heavy cruisers and destroyers, engages the Jean Bart battleship and coastal batteries (19:10).
  • Only Atlantic fleet action of WWII for the U.S. Navy (20:32):

    "This would turn out to be the United States Navy’s only Atlantic fleet action of the entire century."

  • Massachusetts quickly disables Jean Bart’s only operational turret (21:04).
• French Counterattacks:
  • Vice Admiral Michelier launches a counterstrike with seven destroyers and eight submarines aiming for Fedala landing craft (22:55):

    “The first French destroyer shell fired and scored a direct hit on a landing craft.”

6. Anecdotes and Observations

• German Armistice Commission: Captured Germans in civilian clothes showed relief rather than anger; for them “the war was over and they were still alive—a hell of a lot better than being on the Eastern front” (18:38).
• Host’s Health Disclosure: Ray apologizes for his rough voice and shares he’s recovering from COVID, emphasizing dedication to his audience (23:19):

  “So as you can tell my Voice is really bad. So sorry about that... but I didn’t want to go a whole week without putting out a show.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On U.S. Public Sentiment:

  “Americans were glued to whatever radio was closest to them... most of them all was forgiven. Good for FDR. Good for the State Department, good for our boys.” – Ray Harris Jr. (05:45)

• On Battlefield Reality:

  “The Yanks did not know what they did not know. The learning curve was coming. It always comes.” – Quoting Alan Moorhead, via Ray Harris Jr. (06:29)

• Heroic but Costly Landings:

  “Jumping ahead for a second. By the time the sun set on this D-Day... 160 of the 347 landing craft would be lost.” – Ray Harris Jr. (14:33)

• Tragic Friendly Fire Incident:

  “For Christ's sake, quit firing. You are killing our own troops... If you quit firing, they will surrender.” – Radio message from U.S. Army to Navy (17:41)

• Unique Naval Engagement:

  “This would turn out to be the United States Navy’s only Atlantic fleet action of the entire century.” – Ray Harris Jr. (20:32)

• German POW Attitudes:

  “It was more like relief... for these Germans, the war was over and they were still alive, which was a hell of a lot better than being on the Eastern front.” – Ray Harris Jr. (18:38)

Important Timestamps

• 04:41 – American restlessness, impatience over second front
• 05:28 – News of Operation Torch breaks, U.S. public responds
• 07:14 – Forces, commanders, and planning overview
• 10:13 – “Batter up / Play ball” code words explained
• 13:55 – Intense surf, landing difficulties, casualties
• 15:32 – French searchlights, first gun action
• 17:24 – Friendly fire radio incident
• 19:10 – Naval engagement with Jean Bart, coastal batteries
• 21:04 – Massachusetts disables Jean Bart
• 22:55 – French counterattack with destroyers and submarines
• 23:19 – Ray’s health update and podcast continuity

Closing & Upcoming Focus

Ray ends by hinting at the forthcoming coverage of the culminating naval clash off Casablanca, political stabilization post-landing, and the Allies’ next phase: the drive east toward Tunisia to confront Rommel. He also teases a new membership series and thanks supporters.

For Listeners New and Old

This episode stands out for its clarity, detail, and Ray’s signature blend of battlefield narrative and human perspective. From logistical nightmares to the fog of war and the intricacies of Franco-American-Vichy dynamics, Harris brings to life a pivotal day that set the tone for the U.S. Army’s WWII journey in the European Theater.