ATTACK ON HILL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 169, 29 April 1943, Page 3

ATTACK ON HILL

FIRST ARMY NEAR SUMMIT.

AMERICANS CAPTURE HEIGHTS

FRENCH THREATEN POINTS. (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, April 28. The slow progress reported in the communique issued in North Africa brought the Ist Army, after hard fighting in the Medjez el Bab sector, nearly to the summit of a hill overlooking the plain and only 21 miles west of Tunis. This is Jebel Bou Aoukaz, a. dominating ridge on the right bank of tlie Medjerda, 10 miles north-east of Medjezz. The British forces after the capture of Jebel Ahmera, or Longstop Hill, crossed the river and stormed the ridge, reaching a point a quarter of a mile from the crest, and' taking 30 or 40 prisoners. A famous regiment captured another important hill but the Germans, coun-ter-attacking with tanks, regained the crest,

Along the Mateur road the Americans, pushing toward Jefna, took two dominating hills oil either side of the road. These are Jebel Ajred, or Green Hill, on the south side, 13 miles from Mateur, and Jebel Azag or Bald Hill, just north of Jefna, 12 miles west of Mateur. Both hills, which are over 1200 feet, were taken after very heavy fighting.

, The French in the centre with great dash and determination have taken all the high ground overlooking Pont du Fahs, which is being closely invested on the north-west, south-west and south. The French in this sector, including Algerian and Moroccan cavalry, are advancing in conjunction with the Western and Bth Army front in the area Jebel Ekirin, 25 miles west of Enfidaville. This. 3000-feet massif, forming the pivot of the enemy line, is threatened by the French thrust between it and Pont du Fahs.

Along the northern coast, French and North African troops advanced 27 miles in 10’ days and are still clambering through very difficult country within 10 miles of Lake Achkel, north of Mateur. Under steady Allied pressure the enemy’s position is becoming hourly more acute.

The Tactical Air Force in hundreds of sorties on strongpoints, transport and armour lost only one pilot. Great destruction was done by accurate pat-tern-bombing south-east of Medjez.— British Official Wireless.