FORMIDABLE ENEMY FORCES IN TUNIS

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

FORMIDABLE ENEMY FORCES IN TUNIS

DISPOSITIONS mown

Axis Forces In The North On Defensive

N.Z.P.A. and British Wireless Rec. 1.30 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 12. Reuters correspondent says the British and French Commandos who attacked the Axis forces around Mateur marched all night through thick mud. They were on the move 4S hours without sleep. During that time they advanced eight miles, overran the German position, threw the Italians from the defences, rounded up hostile Arabs, destroyed their villages and drove off cattle. Von Arnim and Rommel appear to be determined to keep open the ports of Tunis and Bizerta until the final Tunisian battle is decided. The ground forces on both sides are at present jockeying for positions. Five Axis forces are holding Tunisia. The first and largest, which it is believed comprises one third of the whole Axis force, is situated in the north. The proportion of Germans to Italians in this sector is roughly in a ratio of four to one, and drops as the line goes farther south. The second force is centred around Pont du Fahs," where there has been little recent activity and where the Axis troops have concentrated on planting land mines. Concealed Artillery The third force is highly mobile with powerful striking potentialities and occupies the area between Sfax and Faid Pass. The Axis forces at Faid have a considerable amount of well-concealed artillery still occupying high, ground on either side of the pass. The fourth force is smaller than the others and is composed equally of Italians and Germans situated in the Gabes area. It is sufficiently strong to protect the German communications from the north to the Mareth Line and is a continual threat to Gafsa and the Allied right flank. /

The fifth force is concentrated on the Mareth Line. Here the proportion of Italians to Germans is three to one, in the apparent belief that the Italians will fight better in boxedin positions than they have done so far. The Axis troops in the northern area at present appear to be on the defensive. A large-scale movement in this area is almost impossible because of mud and rains. French forces on the Tunisian battle front are being taken out of the line' to be re-equipped. They have been fighting since the commencement of the campaign with old-fashioned equipment and not much of that. They have fought valiantly, always against odds. They have been promised better _ equipment and now they are coming out to- get it. This was announced yesterday in a general order signed by General Juin, who said: "The French African Army of to-morrow will reappear at the front in the near future with modern armament and without having to ask for heLp from anyone." The Middle East communique yesterday states there is nothing to report on land except patrol activity. Severe storms hampered air operations day and night. An enemy seaplane anchored off the south coast of Sicily was destroyed by fighters. All our aircraft returned. The Allied North African communique says Allied bombers attacked enemy targets yesterday. Otherwise there is nothing to report on the Tunisian front, over most of which snow and rain prevailed. ' A Spitfire squadron, known in England as "International Squadron," has tied for second place in the destruction of enemy aircraft over North Africa, with 31 victims as its bag. Since its formation the squadron is now more Empire than international with pilots from England, Scotland, Wales, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.