EL-GUETTAR (EL QUETTAR)
In February 1943, the Wehrmacht established a labor camp for Jews in El-Guettar, about 60 kilometers (37.3 miles) northwest of Gabes. In the course of the offensive by Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel, the Germans captured the area, which lies on the road to Tebessa. After that, it served as a supply base for German troops. The Jewish internees performed forced labor for the Wehrmacht.
On March 20, 1943, Allied troops began an offensive from Algeria in the direction of the Tunisian coast. In the course of that offensive, the German troops were pushed back to El-Guettar by the end of March. The Wehrmacht dissolved the camp during the retreat.
