through into 1942, British military planners considered a landing in French North Africa and subsequent advance into Tunisia. After various inceptions, Operation Torch was crafted and the British First Army formed. On 24 August, the division was assigned to the First Army, but was not allocated to the initial invasion. Instead, the division remained in the United Kingdom. It assembled at Aldershot in December, and was also inspected by King George VI. Tunisia On 24 December 1942, 4,000 men of the 139th Infantry Brigade and supporting forces departed from Liverpool. The convoy arrived in Algiers, French Algeria, on 3 January 1943, followed by a road and rail journey to the frontline near Sedjenane, French Tunisia. Meanwhile, on 6 January, the 128th Brigade departed from Gourock, Scotland, and the 138th Brigade departed from Liverpool. They arrived in Algeria on 17 January. While the 138th moved across land, the 128th Brigade re-boarded ships and were transported further down the Algerian coast to Bône. During this move, an Axis air attack resulted in one ship being sunk and the loss of materiel. Both brigades moved up to the front during February. On 10 January, the 139th Infantry Brigade launched a minor attack upon Italian positions, but an Axis offensive postponed further efforts. The Italian-German forces struck at Allied positions in western Tunisia to gain more favourable defensive positions from which to contend with the expected Allied offensive. This offensive began with the Battle of Sidi Bou Zid, aimed at largely American positions. The Axis offensive expanded with the Battle of Kasserine Pass. In response, the 2/5LR, along with anti-tank guns and artillery pieces from the 139th Brigade, were moved south to Thala to bolster Allied positions. Once there, they covered the withdrawal of American and British forces, repulsed a German tank attack late on 20 February after heavy fighting that saw German units penetrate their position and aided in the subsequent defence of the town. The fighting cost these units over 400 casualties. To the north, patrols from the 5HR (128th Infantry Brigade) clashed with their German counterparts near Sidi Nsir. On 26 February, the 5HR became embroiled in the opening moves of Operation Ochsenkopf, another major German attack. Ochsenkopf aimed to capture the town of Béja. After a 24-hour battle, which included three German tanks being disabled, the battalion was reduced to 120 men and forced back. The following day, the Germans