Kenitra, January 23, 2023 – United States Ambassador to Morocco Puneet Talwar, Polish Ambassador Krzysztof Karwowski and United Kingdom Ambassador Simon Martin today joined the High Commissioner for Former Resistance fighters and Former Members of the Liberation Army, Mustapha El Ktiri, the provincial governor of the province of Kenitra, Fouad M’Hamdi, as well as the mayor of the city of Kenitra, Anas Bouanani, for the inauguration of a mural commemorating the 80th anniversary of “Operation Torch”, the first major American military operation in the Europe-North Africa theater during the Second World War and a turning point in the deep and historical ties between the United States, Poland, the United Kingdom and Morocco.
The “Operation Torch” mural is a joint project of the Polish and American embassies in Morocco, which was made possible thanks to the support of the Wilaya of Rabat-Salé-Kénitra and that of the municipal authorities of Kenitra.
“Today we look back on the events of November 1942 with reverence, and express our deep appreciation to Allied soldiers, sailors and airmen for the role they played in establishing the foundations of peace and security in the region,” said Ambassador Talwar. “Our commitment to working with our close allies to secure that peace – particularly Morocco and Poland – is stronger than ever.”
“I am happy to see this magnificent and impressive mural that links the common history of Morocco, the United States and Poland to Kenitra, a key location during “Operation Torch”, added Ambassador Karwowski. “This mural is a tribute to known and unknown heroes of World War II, to whom we owe our freedom. I am particularly proud to be able to pay tribute to the great Polish hero, Major “Rygor” Słowikowski, whose role in the success of Operation Torch is gradually being revealed by American, British and Polish historians.
Background of the mural
On November 8, 1942, more than 30,000 American soldiers from the Western Naval Task Force landed in Safi, Mohammedia and near Kenitra as part of Operation Torch, which was, at the time, the largest amphibious military landing Of the history. The success of the operation relied heavily on an intelligence network led by Polish Army Major Słowikowski, which provided the British and Americans with more than 1,200 secret reports on Morocco and Algeria, which were then under the control of the Vichy French government.
The “Operation Torch” mural
The “Operation Torch” mural is over 35 meters high and covers a total area of over 500m2. It is located in the center of Kenitra, opposite the municipality. Polish artist Ewa Potocka, who lives in Fez, designed the fresco, and painted it in December in collaboration with Polish artists Anna Troczyńska and Daria Makarewicz, who came from Poland for the realization of this project.
The fresco depicts the following images:
- A map of the main Operation Torch landing sites in North Africa,
- Major Słowikowski, Head of Polish Intelligence in North Africa,
- The Anfa Conference. On January 22, 1943, US President Franklin Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and then-Sultan Mohammed V met in Casablanca to discuss the war.
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And an American ship off the coast of Kenitra, which was called Port Lyautey in 1942, was one of three landing sites for American troops in Morocco.
Linauguration of this fresco mural is one of several events capping several months of awareness-raising efforts on Operation Torch, informing Moroccans of the depth of ties linking Morocco and the United States – as well as our British and Polish allies – dating back to that time. decisive in world history.
The inauguration ceremony also saw the participation of the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces, and the military attachés of the American, British and Polish embassies.
A permanent exhibition on the history of relations between the United States and Morocco during World War II is held at the American Legation Museum in Tangier.