 Elsewhere, French warships, such as the battleship , rejoined the Allies.On 9 November, Axis forces started to build up in Tunisia and were unopposed by the local French forces under General Barré.Wracked with indecision, Barré moved his troops into the hills and formed a defensive line from Teboursouk through Medjez el Bab and ordered that anyone trying to pass through the line would be shot.