March 20-28
Africa, Tunisia
Allied forces under General Bernard Montgomery launch a carefully-planned attack against the Mareth Line. The line's principal defenses along the banks of the Wadi Zigzaou are penetrated on the 21st-22nd but the 15th Panzer Division successfully counterattacks. Montgomery, however, develops an outflanking move into a major offensive, and by the 26th the Axis forces have retreated northward to the El Hamma Plain. The weakened German forces fall back to Wadi Akarit by the 28th, while many of their Italians allies surrender.

March 26
Sea War, Pacific
At the Battle of the Kommandorsky Islands in the Bering Sea, two US cruisers and four destroyers engage four Japanese cruisers and five destroyers. The Japanese abandon the action just before they can exploit their numerical superiority. Both sides have a cruiser badly damaged.

March 27
Africa, Tunisia
General Sir Harold Alexander sends the US 34th Infantry Division to seize the Foundouk Pass but heavy artillery fire halts its advance.

March 30
Sea War, Arctic
Britain suspends the Arctic convoys to the Soviet Union because it cannot provide enough escorts to guard against the increasing number of German warships in Norway.

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