"New York" saw her first major action during Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa in November 1942. She left Norfolk on 23 October in order to join the Allied fleet. Attached to the Southern Attack Group, on 8 November, "New York" and the cruiser , screened by six destroyers, attacked Safi harbor in Morocco, supporting landings by the U.S. 9th Infantry Division's 47th Infantry Regiment, and defended the transports and which came under attack by shore batteries at Point De La Tour. "New York" fired several salvoes with her guns, with one of them striking the base of the battery and ricocheting into a bunker, destroying the range finder and killing the battery commander and neutralizing the battery. Other shore batteries were destroyed by "Philadelphia"s guns and aircraft from escort carrier . "New York" remained on station until the port was secure, then steamed north to support the Center Group off Fedhala and Casablanca, specifically to deal with the threat of the Vichy French battleship "Jean Bart", but by the time she arrived, that battleship had been disabled by and other Vichy French ships had been driven off by and . "New York" remained on off the coast of North Africa until the beaches were secure, then retired on 14 November. She had expended a total of sixty rounds. She returned to Norfolk on 23 November.