ALLIES OCCUPY BIZERTA AND TUNIS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 108, 8 May 1943, Page 5

ALLIES OCCUPY BIZERTA AND TUNIS

Planes Smashed First Axis "Dunkirk" Attempt

TEN CROWDED CRAFT SUNK Last Shattering Offensive By Allies Completely Overwhelmed Enemy (New Zealand Press Association.—Copyright.—Rec. 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 7. It was officially announced at Allied headquarters that Tunis and Bizerta have been captured. Allied tanks are to-night rolling into Tunis and Bizerta. The Americans, who captured Ferryville early this morning, later reached Bizerta. Berlin radio's commentator, Captain Sertorius, admitted that Allied troops had penetrated the inner fortifications of Bizerta. The British United Press Algiers correspondent says that Allied planes tore into a convoy of motor barges and small craft making a "Dunkirk" bid from Tunisia. Ten craft, jammed with troops, were sunk. It waa the first big Axis attempt to stage a "Dunkirk." The convoy was spotted about 30 miles west of Maritime Islands, off the Tunisian coast, heading for Sicily. Every boat was packed with Axis troops. Lightnings sank three motor barges and four small craft and Marauders sank three motor barges. New High Level in Co-ordination Of All Arms The offensive which ushered in the final phase of the Tunisian campaign marked a new high level in smooth action between all arms and wholehearted co-operation of many Allied elements to produce the knock-out punch which the dazed Axis forces were totally unable to withstand. The First Army's drive of over 20 miles in a little over a day and a half through an area the enemy had carefully prepared for defence was probably the most spectacular event in the last crowded 48 hours,. but the hard-fighting Americans and French— supporters of General de Gaulle as well as of General Giraud —were well in the hunt. Dominion airmen also will be well in the picture when the full story can be told. The British United Press correspondent with the First Army describes the First Army's drive to Tunis as "perfect combination of infantry, armour, artillery and air strength timed by a master's hand." He adds that nothing could have withstood that onslaught. While the First Army was punching a hole in the centre of the Axis line, French and American troops were closing in on Bizerta and Teburba, the French were assailing Pont du Fahs and the Eighth Army was pres'sing Italian and German mountain positions in the south to prevent any desperate diversion of forces.