GERMANS FALL BACK IN SOOTH TUNISIA

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 37, 13 February 1943, Page 5

GERMANS FALL BACK IN SOOTH TUNISIA

ROMMEL WOUNDED?

Eighth Army Surprises

Enemy

N.Z. Press Association —Cii.yrigh' Rec. 11.30 a.m. LONDON, Feb. 12. The Eighth Army's advance forces in southern Tunisia have compelled the enemy to use tanks, artillery and infantry in the biggest action since El Agheila. The action is developing into a struggle for the mud tracks which cover the marshy frontier area. These tracks lead north-west to the important centre of Ben Gai'dane, which guards the way to Mareth and Gabes. Rommel was holding troops just across the frontier with strong points and large-scale calibre guns, but the British move so soon after the heavy rain apparently took him by surprise. Gault MacGowan, in a dispatch to the New York Sun from the front, says Rommel was wounded in an air raid on Gabes and is now in hospital in Tunis. Rommel's troops have fallen back in good order in the southern sector of the front, thereby shortening the whole line, reDorts Reuters correspondent with the Eighth Army on the Tunisian frontier. The Germans, since evacuating Tripoli, have not left any position without being forced to do so. They have abandoned every vestige of the general speedy retreat. This, coupled with the problems of tough going over appalling tracks both mined and cratered, and the .necessity of building up strength for every step forward, has considerably slowed down the Eighth Army's advance, but General Montgomery is giving the enemy no chance of trying to make a comeback. The Vichy radio claims the Eighth Army's flanking attempts against Rommel's rearguards have failed.