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 several military successes at Sidi Bou Zid and the Kasserine Pass in February 1943. A decisive Erwin Rommel directed the 5th Panzer Army under Hans-Jürgen von Arnim to initiate operation Ochsenkopf on 26 February. The Royal Air Force (RAF) Desert Air Force responded by targeting all German and Italian airfields in the region to limit Axis air support for the offensive.