THE EIGHTH ARMY DRAWS FIRS BLOOD

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 40, 17 February 1943, Page 3

THE EIGHTH ARMY DRAWS FIRS BLOOD

TUNISIA SUCCESS

British Forces- 60 Miles From Mareth Line

N.Z.P.A. and British Wireless Rec. 1.30 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 16. The Eighth Army, having drawn its,=first blood in Tunisia with the capture of Ben Gardane. is now pushing on towards Medenine, which is the key point on the outer defences of the Mareth Line. Advanced forces are about 60 miles from the main Mareth Line defences. The capture of Ben Gardane not only brings the Eighth Army to a good road, but it has an important airfield. This the Germans have doubtless ploughed up, but British' sappers and H.A.F. ground crews have already shown how quickly runways can be restored. The weather is still appalling, with mud over the axles of vehicles and gunpits deep in water. British forces are 20 miles inside Tunisia and 60 miles from the main Mareth. defence. Ben Gardane, the first place to be reached across the frontier, is a road centre and was a fortified outpost of the Mareth Line. Its capture is believed in London to be a prelude to a further advance on the Mareth positions. In Contact With Enemy "Yesterday our troops occupied Bell Gardane and were in contact with the enemy west of the town," says the Middle East communique. "Air activity was confined to fighter

sweeps. Attacks on Sicily and South Italy were continued and damage inflicted on rail communications. Two large Italian bombers were shot down by night fighters off Tobruk. ''United States bombers raided Naples and direct hits were reported cn two merchant vessels and other targets. At least four intercepting enemy fighters were snot down and others damaged. One of our planes is missing." According to the North Africa communique a small element of the enemy entered Gasmata yesterday. Enemy aircraft on the aerodrome near Kairwan were bombed and set on fire. Eleven fighters were destroyed in combat. Flying Fortresses bombed Palermo and scored hits on the dock area, an oil tank and a large vessel. Wellingtons bombed Bizerta. Three of our aircraft are missing.