The 34th Infantry Division, the first U.S. troops deployed to Europe after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, landed in Belfast, Northern Ireland on January 26, 1942, where they secretly “trained” in the area of the northern coast for 10 months.
In December 1942, the 133rd and 168th combat regiments boarded the retrofitted cruise ship, “The Empress of Australia” in Liverpool, UK. Once again, they did not know where they were headed. Mid-trip, they learned they were bound for North Africa to begin the Allied Army’s offensive incursion, known as “Operation TORCH.”
The North African campaign became a pivotal point in Allied forces defeating the Germans in WWII and in America’s military history.
Posted March 28, 2026
Pulitzer Prize winning/best selling author and historian, Rick Atkinson, had this to say about Operation TORCH in his book, "An Army at Dawn." “No large operation in WWII surpassed the invasion of North Africa in complexity, daring, or risk . . .” –
Dec 1942: Map of the Empress of Australia’s sailing route from Liverpool, England to Oran, Algeria for Operation TORCH. Not to scale.
1942, Northern Ireland, before leaving for North Africa: 1st. Lt., Medical Corps (M.C.) Arthur L. Ludwick Jr., M.D.
The "Empress of Australia" ship, a former luxury liner, that carried troops to North Africa for Operation TORCH. As the ship approached the Port of Oran, Algeria, it was accidentally rammed by one of the accompanying escort ships, and almost sank. My father was scared to death he'd have to swim to shore.
December 1942/Jan 1943: On the "Empress of Australia" to North Africa from Liverpool, England, for Operation TORCH.
Dec 1942: Soldiers of the 133rd Infantry Regiment sunning themselves on the deck of the "Empress of Australia," on their way to Oran, Algeria, for Operation TORCH.
This was the Christmas Day menu for the officers aboard the "Empress of Australia," on its way to North Africa from Liverpool, UK.
Due to the fact that the ship was a former "luxury liner," it maintained many of its staff, including the chefs and access to many of the ship's amenities. The young, inexperienced soldiers aboard, would soon experience culture shock after landing in Algeria.
Oran, Algeria, January 6, 1943; Lud landed here with his 133rd regiment from Liverpool, UK, but spent only a month or so in the area for training and organization before moving east with the 34th Infantry Division to Tunisia.
Upon arrival in North Africa, American troops received U.S. Army issued brochures with important information about North Africa, its history, culture/customs, geography, hygiene tips/common diseases, the Muslim religion, and strict instructions regarding the “Attitude Toward Women.”
Caption by Lud's medical assistant, Dr. Morris Leslie: "Ludwick takes a bath, African style."
January 1943, North Africa; Capt. Arthur L. Ludwick M.D.'s typed caption on back: "Glamorpuss with oranges." "Solemn son with sunkists."
My dad's typed caption on the back of photo: "A Bevy of Bedouin Belles. I gave the little girl whose head can be seen right behind the boy's, a stick of "shoongom".
Algiers, NA: "Sidewalk cafe. French sailor on left. Native Arab seated right."
Typed caption on the back of this photo: Algiers: "One of the few well dressed Arabs I've seen. I think maybe he is an Arabian (French) soldier."
”You must not talk to Moslem women. Never. Under no circumstances. The most innocent word addressed to a Moslem woman is considered an insult, and is bitterly resented by all Moslem men. There have even been instances of murder when this custom is violated. You must remember that your conduct in this matter may decide the fate of this campaign.”
The Tunisia Pocket guide contained three pages of “Important Do’s and Don’ts.” Here are just a few: —Don’t enter mosques; if you come near a mosque, look away and keep moving. —Shake hands gently with the Arabs - their hands are delicate. —The Muslims are a very modest people – avoid any exposure of the body in their presence. —Take off your shoes before entering a room – leave your socks on. —Eat with your right hand - never with your left. —Leave food in the main bowl - what you leave goes to the women and the children. —When you see grown men walking hand-in-hand, ignore it. They are not “queer.” —Avoid talking about or praising Europeans. —Avoid any expression of race prejudice. The Muslims draw no color lines. —Use common sense on all occasions. These people are basically no different from anyone else. —Be generous with your cigarettes.
Algeria and Tunisia were French colonies for almost 150 years. Today, French, Arabic, and some English are spoken throughout North Africa.
My trip to North Africa in the fall of 2024 included time in Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco.
The goal of Operation TORCH during WWII, was to move east to Tunisia and engage with German General Erwin Rommel's highly trained "Afrika Korps" and capture Tunis, which would then become the Allied Forces launching point to get into Sicily and Italy.