American Military History, Volume 2 by Richard W. Stewart

With the decision for TORCH, the first stage in the search for a stra- tegic plan against Germany came to an end. In retrospect, 1941–1942 had been a period in which scarcity and the need for defense had shaped the Allies' strategy. The British and American approaches to war had their first conflict, and the British had won the first round. That British notions of strategy tended to prevail was not surprising.

Strategic planning in 1942 had been largely opportunistic, hand- to-mouth, and limited by critical shortages in shipping and muni- tions.