Today in World War II History—Nov. 17, 1942 POSTED: Friday, November 17, 2017 by Sarah Sundin Map of first Allied actions in Tunisia, 16-23 November 1942 (US Army Center of Military History) 75 Years Ago—Nov. 17, 1942: In Tunisia, British take Beja, and US takes Gafsa and its airfield. British open Bône Harbor in Algeria.