ATTACK BEGUN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 80, 5 April 1943, Page 3

ATTACK BEGUN

BRITISH ARTILLERY

Rommel's New Defence Lines

Strafed, Says Radio N.Z.P.A. and British Wireless Rec. 1.30 p.m. LONDON, April 4. British artillery have begun the attack on Rommel's new defence lines, says the Algiers radio. American and French forces in the central sector are continuing to advance eastwards. The Americans repulsed a German counter-attack and are marching towards Kairwan. Advanced units of the Eighth Army have made contact with the Afrika Korps rearguards about 20 miles north of Gabes. Further nortn the main body of the Afrika Korps continues its rapid retreat, hammered by the Allied air forces. This statement of the present position was given by the Algiers radio, which adds that the Germans are reported to be holding large tank reserves to hurl against the Eighth Army at the right moment.

Rommel in the meantime is making a determined effort to keep the First and Eighth Armies well apart by sowing wide minefields. The Germans used a considerable number of tanks in a completely unsuccessful counter-attack' against the American troops advancing along the GafsaGabes road, says Reuters correspondent at El Guettar. The attack was made at a point near the junction of this road with Kebili road. Patrol Activity - "There has been patrol activity on the Eighth Army front," says the North African communique. "In the area east of El Guettar two United States corps gained further ground in very difficult country. In one successful attack many of the enemy were killed, prisoners taken and 20 mortars captured. Observation has confirmed that a considerable number of German tanks were destroyed or damaged by artillery fire on Friday.

"In the area north and east of Sed Jenane troops continued to make progress. French troops successfully reoulsed two local attacks near Pichon in which the enemy employed tanks. "Our fighters were very active over the northern , and central sectors of the front yesterday. In the north several raids by fighterbombers were intercepted. Five enemy aircraft were destroyed, while another enemy aircraft was shot down by anti-aircraft fire. In the central sector offensive sweeps were maintained by our fighters throughout the day. On the southern front a dust storm restricted air activity to fighter patrols and raids by our bombers. An enemy airfield was attacked by medium bombers and hits .were seen on buildings and among aircraft on the ground. From all these operations four of our aircraft are missing, but the pilot ot one is safe."