SIGNS THAT ROMMEL WAS LEAVING GABES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 82, 7 April 1943, Page 3

SIGNS THAT ROMMEL WAS LEAVING GABES

BLOW EXPECTED Large Axis Forces Seen t On The Move N.Z. Press Association.—Copyright Rec. 1 p.m. LONDON, April 6. Rommel is apparently withdrawing panzers from Gabes Gap without awaiting for General expected blow, reports Reuters correspondent with the Fifth Army. - He stated that large Axis forces were sighted at dusk yesterday moving from the area of the Gabes Gap after putting up a smoke screen in front of the American positions along the. main road to Gabes. The Germans were inactive this morning. American patrols on El Guettar front to-day made contact with the enemy only at one point. If this report is correct Rommel is again exploiting delaying tactics and forcing the Eighth Army to make full preparations for attack, then retreating. The Germans are presumably aiming to further concentrate their strength before accepting battle. The British United Press reports that east of El Guettar American infantry advanced five miles along the road, meeting little resistance. Patrols on the south side of the Gabes Road met slight rearguard opposition. Heavy enemy traffic Avas observed withdrawing to the north-east. A large German tank concentration near Jeb el Berda was.bombed yesterday, after which it withdrew. The military correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph says that events in Tunisia seem to indicate that. it would be unwise to expect a quick ending of the campaign. It would also appear to be foolish, he says, to talk now about an Axis Dunkirk. It must not be forgotten that, the Axis is still holding on grimly and fighting hard, Enemy forces probably include the German Army's best troops and the country in front of us is extremely difficult. Paris radio, in an earlier broadcast, said that it seems likely that the Fifth American Army intends to launch a large-scale attack when General Montgomery's offensive begins. The Morocco radio reported that the Afrika Korps had begun a methodical retreat northward along the coastal road. The latest air observations revealed that Rommel had entrusted crack troops, the German Grenadiers, to fight a delaying rearguard action. The Allies have repulsed two German counter-attacks in the approaches to Pichon. In spite of all Axis efforts, the Allies are strengthening the ring around the enemy.