Why Ironclad used experienced ground troops

No. 5 Commando and the heavily reinforced 29th Infantry Brigade formed the assault core. Six Valentine tanks, six Tetrarch tanks, a machine-gun company, and brigades from 5th Division added armor and roughly divisional strength. Despite heavy demands in North Africa and preparations for Torch, Britain assigned experienced formations because Diego Suarez had to fall quickly. Their training was also expected to produce better fire discipline against Vichy defenders and reduce unnecessary escalation or civilian casualties. Once ashore, the troops could defend the compact northern position while the Eastern Fleet remained the outer shield against a Japanese landing.