A Date with History: Revisiting the Early Stages of the Tunisian Campaign (1942–1943)

Between November 1942 and May 1943, Tunisia found itself at the heart of one of the most decisive chapters of the Second World War. Following Operation Torch, the country became the scene of the first direct confrontation between Allied and Axis forces, marking a turning point in the North African campaign and, ultimately, in the wider Mediterranean war.

Yet despite its strategic importance, the Tunisian Campaign remains relatively underrepresented in mainstream historical narratives. Many of its battlefields, cemeteries, and civilian experiences are still little known to the general public. It is precisely this gap between history and public memory that the upcoming event “A Date with History” seeks to address.

The early phase of the campaign — from the Allied landings in North Africa to the first major clashes in southern and central Tunisia — set the stage for months of intense fighting. From Médenine and the Mareth Line to Kasserine Pass and Medjez el-Bab, the Tunisian landscape became a complex battlefield shaped by terrain, logistics, and rapidly shifting command structures.

Beyond military operations, this period deeply affected local populations, infrastructure, and cities. Tunisia was not merely a backdrop to global events; it was a central actor, where international strategy and local realities collided.

To explore these themes, a historical roundtable open to the public will be held on:

📅 Saturday, December 20, 2025
🕐 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Dar Ben Achour, Medina of Tunis

Hosted in one of Tunis’s most emblematic cultural spaces, the event invites participants to engage with history through research, field experience, and dialogue.

Historian and writer – Author of La Tunisie dans le tourbillon de la Seconde Guerre mondiale

Mohamed Noureddine Dhouib is a leading voice in the study of Tunisia during WWII. His work focuses on overlooked battles, forgotten locations, and the use of archival sources to reconstruct Tunisia’s wartime experience.

Topic: The Tunisian Path of Claus von Stauffenberg
His presentation traces the presence and movements of von Stauffenberg in Tunisia, offering insight into the early careers of German officers and the wider context of Axis operations in North Africa.

Businessman, hotelier, and heritage advocate

Passionate about art, architecture, and history, Tarek Chaabouni integrates cultural heritage into his professional and personal projects. He is particularly interested in how sites of memory contribute to public understanding of the past.

Topic: Report on a Visit to the Commonwealth War Cemetery of Wadi Zarqa
Through a personal and reflective account, his talk explores the role of military cemeteries in preserving memory, honoring sacrifice, and connecting present generations with wartime history.

Researcher, author, and lecturer

Winkie Williamson has conducted extensive research on the Erlanger banking family and the Palais d’Erlanger (Ennejma Ezzahra) in Sidi Bou Said, particularly during the WWII period.

Topic: How I Conduct Historical Research: The Palais d’Erlanger in WWII as a Case Study
Her presentation offers a behind-the-scenes look at historical methodology, combining archival research, site visits, and personal narratives to reconstruct Tunisia’s cultural and wartime history.

This event is organized jointly by:

• Dar Ben Achour Library, a cultural institution in the Medina of Tunis dedicated to heritage preservation, research, and intellectual exchange.

• Carthagina, a cultural initiative working to promote Tunisian history through research, public events, and digital tools.

• The WW2 Explorers Group in Tunisia, a collective of researchers and enthusiasts engaged in field exploration, archival investigation, and the documentation of WWII sites across the country.

Together, they share a common goal: to bridge the gap between academic research and public history, and to ensure that Tunisia’s role in World War II is better understood and remembered.

“A Date with History” is more than a lecture series. It is an invitation to reconsider Tunisia’s place in global history, to connect landscapes with archives, and to give meaning to sites that still carry the traces of war.

By opening these discussions to the public, the organizers hope to encourage historical curiosity, critical thinking, and collective memory, especially among younger generations.

📲 Updates and participation details:
WhatsApp group:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/ESpcPlD57zI3qXUPXq6G5I