Prof. Greg Jackson

But now, for the first time ever, the Nazis have lost a major campaign and massive stretch of territory to say nothing of the loss of men.

A combined 230,000 Germans and Italians are taken as prisoners of war.

Some troops and equipment escape this fate, such as Erwin Rommel, of course, who was already back in the fatherland.

But on the whole, this is nothing less than an Allied triumph in an Axis catastrophe.

And while it's the British commanders, not the Americans, who accept the official Nazi surrender, Uncle Sam's boys are justifiably proud.

Between landing in French North Africa in November 1942 and this sweet victory in May 1943, they've really come into their own.

Green as grass American GIs have transformed into seasoned veterans.

They've learned to hate Germans with a passion.

This is no longer someone else's war.

It's theirs just as much.

And now, armed with that experience, confidence, and sense of ownership, it's time to take this fight into Europe itself.

And the plan for that is already set.

See, while American, British, and Free French troops were busy fighting their German, Italian, and Vichy French foes in North Africa, Allied leaders were right behind them.

And by Allied leaders, I mean two of the big three, U.S.

President Franklin Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

Soviet Secretary Joseph Stalin got an invite but declined, citing the East Front offensive against Germany as needing his full attention.

The dynamic duo came together in Casablanca, Morocco, for 10 days, from January 14th to the 24th, 1943.

Franklin and Winston made two key decisions here.

First, following their Atlantic Charter's previously stated post-war desire for disarmament and collective security, they adopted a joint policy of unconditional surrender.

This means none of the Allies will try to seek a separate peace with Adolf Hitler's Germany.