The Axis won a series of offensive successes at Sidi Bou Zid and the Kasserine Pass in February 1943. A confident Erwin Rommel ordered the 5th Panzer Army under Hans-Jürgen von Arnim to begin operation Ochsenkopf on 26 February. The Royal Air Force (RAF) Desert Air Force responded by attacking all known German and Italian airfields in the region to deny the Axis air support for the offensive.
The Axis secured a string of offensive victories at Sidi Bou Zid and the Kasserine Pass in February 1943. A self-assured Erwin Rommel instructed the 5th Panzer Army under Hans-Jürgen von Arnim to initiate operation Ochsenkopf on 26 February. The Royal Air Force (RAF) Desert Air Force retaliated by targeting all known German and Italian airfields in the region to deprive the Axis of air support for the offensive.