AXIS ROUT IN TUNISIA

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 109, 10 May 1943, Page 2

AXIS ROUT IN TUNISIA

THE Allied world rejoices at a feat of arms that is not less important, or less gratifying, because it was expected, and long awaited. With the occupation of Tunis and Bizerta, and the speedy, remorseless pursuit of the routed Axis forces, there is being completed a gigantic clearing operation, necessary to enable the two great maritime Allies to bring their forces to bear against the enemy in his European stronghold. This operation has proved much less easy than it looked on paper, and it has taken longer than at one time seemed possible; but through engaging in it together the Allied forces, British, American and French, have learned valuable lessons. For those lessons they have paid a price, but a price much lower than would have been exacted if the lessons had had to be learned on the Continent itself. The Allied peoples for long deceived themselves about the probable course of the war by counting up their "resources" of all kinds, and concluding that the outcome was inevitable, and only a matter of time. They learned that "resources," until brought to bear, and used efficiently, do not prevail over the German Army.. They have learned also that there is no substitute for battle experience. The North African landing, a triumph of planning, and of skilful execution of plans, was not sufficient in itself; the enemy had still to be engaged. He has been engaged; and he has learned nothing that will comfort him. He knew that the British and American armies were good when they landed, but he knows that they are better armies now This, coupled with his knowledge of the Allies' sheer strength, particularly in the air, will not enhance his confidence m entering the great campaign to which Tunisia is only a prelude. What of the future? There is all manner of excited speculation about operations said to be imminent. There are gr atifying «f cations of alarm in Germany and Italy, at tne prospect of invasion. The prospect exists, and it will grow, but whether it is imminent relatively few men in the whole world know. All civilians, t f ?haYh!a^^^ Sfsvfctory was on A U y gust 10 last,*when General Alexander given orders "to attack and destroy at the earliest P. o^ oPP° rtun German-Italian Army commanded by Field-Marshal Rommel. More than two months p'assed before the Eighth Army was ordered to attack and nearly three months before the Germans were completely defeated at El Alamein on November 3. Six days afterwards American and British landings in the French North African empire, £S which were also thl culmination of months of preparation. AnTm! Sat operations then launched took six mo.nths to These facts should be recalled and remembered so that the difficulties that have to be overcome before the far greater and graver, enterprise of an invasion of Europe can be launched will be realised. It is true that preparations for an invasion did not begin with the North African Sings-according to a prevalent belief,, the Allies are working to a -time-table," and the dates and places of invasion operations have long been fixed It may be so, but the huge operations contemplated are not such as can be carried through with a narrow precision. They are dependent-to mention one outstanding factor-on the course of the war in the Atlantic, which has not been won. They are subject to interference by the operations of the enemy, who remains immensely strong ind not be finally committed to a defensive strategy. All we cfn be sure of is that the Allies hold the initiative, that it is the Germans and no longer ourselves, who will be anxiously and even wondering what the enemy will do next, and where he will Ske Sd we can hope that he, and we, will know the answer soon.