FIRST ARMY TAKES MASSICAULT BY STORM

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 107, 7 May 1943, Page 3

FIRST ARMY TAKES MASSICAULT BY STORM

18 MILES FROM TUNIS Many Germans And Italians Surrender British Official Wireless Rec. 12.30 p.m. RUGBY, May 6. The British First Army, supported by the Royal Air Force, to-day captured by storm the town of Massicault, on the main road 18 miles from Tunis. The First Army opened its offensive at 3 a.m. with a terrific barrage from 400 guns. An infantry assault, made northward of Medjez el Bab, hinged on Peter's Corner, which lies on the road through Massicault to Tunis, which is the main highway into the port. Further north the American Second Army Corps is attacking towards Bizerta, having already occupied Jebel Cheniki, the last range of hil£a defending the port. A special North African Headquarters communique states: "The First Army launched its offensive in the early hours of this morning south of the River Medjerda. Our infantry and tanks penetrated deeply into the enemy positions and took the position by storm. A large number of Germans and Italians surrendered. The Second United States Army Corps is making good progress and the battle continues." Eighth Army Local Advance "On the British Eighth Army front a local advance was made and patrols penetrated deeply behind the enemy's positions," states a communique from Allied headquarters in North Africa. "The country has been heavily mined. "On the British First Army front an evening attack was made on Jebel bou Aoukaz, north-east of Mejez el Bab, for which there has been considerable fighting already. The hill was captured and 30 prisoners "Further north several counterattacks were made against the Second United States Army Corps, but all were repulsed. "A local attack south of Lake Achkel succeeded in capturing part of an important feature after fierce fighting. An advance was also made further north. In all, 300 prisoners were taken in these advances.