USS Philadelphia - CL-41
North Africa 1942

Operation Torch: In September 1942 Philadelphia joined RADM Hewitt's Western Naval Task Force, the greatest US war fleet sent forth up to that time. Philadelphia became the flagship of RADM Davidson commanding the Southern Attack Group carrying MG Harmon’s 6,423 troops, and 108 tanks of General Patton’s Task Force to the landing at Safi, south of Casablanca. Philadelphia provided fire support as the transports offloaded troops while her spotter planes flew close support missions.

The location of the Philadelphia next to the New York is highlighted off Safi