LITTLE CHANGE ON TUNISIAN FRONTS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 81, 6 April 1943, Page 3

LITTLE CHANGE ON TUNISIAN FRONTS

STRONG DEFENCES Americans In Centre Face Difficult Task N.Z. Press Association.—Copyright Rec. noon. LONDON, April 5. The comparative lull which has descended on the land fronts in Tunisia was broken yesterday only by the American Fifth Army, which drove back stiff opposition and somewhat reduced its distance from General Montgomery (yesterday reported to be 38 miles) by capturing two hills on the El Guettar-Gabes road, enabling it to advance to the south-east. The operation illustrates the difficulties of the country over which the Americans are operating between Gafsa and Maknassi and which strongly protects the rear of Rommel's position on the Wadi el Akarit. The countryside consists of a tangle of ravines, and gullies between high hills, and it is ideal for a prolonged defence, aided by deep minefields and concealed artillery. The attempts of tanks to break through would be likely to result in uneconomic losses. The only alternative is a series of carefully-planned infantry assaults, which would "outwinkle" the enemy and enable a gradual advance to be made. The Germans are defending these strategic heights with crack troops and skilfully emplaced 88mm guns and mortars. These defences dominate cunningly-laid minefields strewing the floor of the valley, which runs towards the coast road, where Rommel is concentrating his attempt to prevent the junction of the British and American forces. "Hot Corner" Area Reuters correspondent at Allied Headquarters says the Americans, showing an admirable offensive spirit, overcame the German hill garrisons and later repulsed the inevitable counter-attack, inflicting heavy casualties and taking prisonThe Americans are still battling forward in "hot corner" area, east of Maknassi, where the Germans are resisting fiercely,, but there is no confirmation of reports from Berlin that the Americans are attempting to drive from the Maknassi hills. In the northern sectors there has been chiefly patrol activity, although according to the Algiers radio, the First Army "advanced beyond Cap Serrat without meeting serious resistance." Cap Serrat is about 35 miles from Bizerta. There has been considerable artillery fire on the Medjez el Bab front, where enemy troops and transport suffered heavily. Weather Better For Airmen Better weather has made possible an increase in Allied air activity, resulting in many air combats. According to the British Official Wireless air operations yesterday were extensive, and included the bombing of enemy airfields by medium and light bombers and fighter-bombers, attacks on enemy vehicles and many fighter offensive sweeps. B 25's and Mitchells attacked a convoy in the Sicilian Straits, and a small vessel off the south-west coast of Sardinia. In the course of the day's operations three enemy machines were destroyed. Five Allied planes are missing. German commentators predict large-scale operations at an early date. They assert that General Montgomery is putting down a ring of artillery fire on Axis outer defences along the Wadi el Akarit and also that he is concentrating tanks farther to the north. Algiers radio, opening a new German transmission, warned the Afrika Korps that there is no escape from the trap in North Africa. "You must choose between death and captivity," declared the radio. The Berlin correspondent of the Swiss newspaper Gazette de Lausanne, in a dispatch which the German censorship, passed, asserts that the Axis to-day is suffering severely in its efforts to supply its forces in North Africa, because the best part of Italy's merchant fleet was confiscated in neutral and enemy ports when Italy entered the war. He adds that British submarines are taking toll of Italian ships in the Mediterranean, but this "would not be serious had Italy not lost a lai'ge part of its most modern merchantmen. Admiral Doenitz's recent visit to Italy can be connected with Axis efforts to free the traffic between Italy and Tunisia from pressure which is not negligible." Speculation About a "Dunkirk" "It is idle wishfulness to suggest that Rommel will attempt a T)unkirk' from Tunisia," says Mr. J. L. Garvin in the Sunday Express. "The Axis intends to put up the longest and bitterest fight possible." "It is thought in London," says the diplomatic correspondent of the Sunday Express, "that Hitler might try to rescue the highly-trained Afrika Korps from Tunisia, but that he will probably leave the Italians. It is only a matter of time before we control all Tunisia, although sporadic fighting may go on for months after this is achieved."

DE GAULLE'S MISSION POSTPONEMENT REQUESTED Rec. noon. LONDON, April 5. The French, National Committee, in a statement, said: "General Eisenhower has asked General de Gaulle to delay his journey to North Africa. General de Gaulle and the National Committee regret this delay, which could not be prolonged without serious disadvantages. General de Gaulle and several members of the National Committee have been ready for some days to leave for Algiers in order to re-establish the unity of the Empire, which is necessitated by the national interest and demanded by French opinion at home and overseas." According to Fighting French headquarters, General Eisenhower gave military considerations for his request to General de Gaulle to postpone his visit. He said he was unable to turn aside to political considerations when events in Tunisia were marching towards a climax. VICTORY FOR ALLIES /. ■ __ , - . • LONDON, April 5. General Salem Oumertak, chief of the Turkish military delegation, predicted that the Allies will win the war, says the Associated Press correspondent on the Tunisian front. He. pointed out that the Allies are much stronger in every way, including armament and industrial production. General Oumertak added: "From what I have seen the Allied morale is excellent and undoubtedly it has the edge over the Axis. lam extremely well pleased with my tour and I am much impressed with the Allied war effort." ' ..