<Ul> <Li> 2--Involved an Axis convoy </Li> </Ul> <Li> 2--Involved an Axis convoy </Li> <P> Operation Torch (initially called Operation Gymnast) was the Anglo - American invasion of French North Africa during the North African Campaign of the Second World War which started on 8 November 1942 . It is the first major operation that US troops undertook in the European / North African theatre of World War II . </P> <P> The Soviet Union had pressed the US and British to start operations in Europe and open a second front to reduce the pressure of German forces on the Soviet troops . While US commanders favored Operation Sledgehammer, landing in Occupied Europe as soon as possible, British commanders believed that such a course was likely to end in disaster . Landings in French North Africa were instead proposed . On July 28, the Axis Afrika Korps, under General Erwin Rommel, captured Mersa Matruh, in Egypt, only 140 miles (230 km) from Alexandria . Landings to the west would reduce pressure on Allied forces in Egypt . They would also secure Allied naval control of the south - west Mediterranean, and enable an invasion of Southern Europe later in 1943 . U.S. President, Roosevelt, suspected that landings in north - west Africa would rule out an invasion of Europe in 1943 but agreed to support British Prime Minister Winston Churchill . </P>

When did allied troops land in north africa