SEALED OFF

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 110, 11 May 1943, Page 3

SEALED OFF

AXIS IN STEEL TRAP Bitter Fighting Continues South-east Of Tunis Rec. 2 p.m. " RUGBY, May 10. A North Africa communique states: Intense activity continues on the part of our naval coastal forces to prevent any escape of the enemy by sea. With the clearing up and surrender of Tunis and Bizerta the most recent naval work has been carried out on both sides of the Cape Bon Peninsula, where the enemy troops that remain are concentrated. There have been incidents in plenty in addition to those reported in the Allied Headquarters naval communique yesterday afternoon. It is now learned that early yesterday morning one of our ships sank a barge full of troops, oil and ammunition 30 miles north-east of Cape Bon. The peninsula has been closed and blockaded, although support is still lacking from many ships at sea. The naval task has been sustained and arduous, particularly on the part of the naval patrol of light Yesterday one of the Allied light coastal craft also torpedoed an enemy vessel in the Russuda anchorage, on the east side of Cape I Bon Peninsula. The enemy vessel blew up. In the afternoon another of our ships bombarded an enemy battery at Sidi Duoud, on the west side of the peninsula, with useful results. Rigid Blockade Imposed The blockade continues without ! remission and will be continued until the Cape Bon Peninsula is in Allied hands and the last enemy troops in North Africa have been accounted for. In north-eastern and east Tunisia all organised fighting ended on the Second American Corps' front at 11 a.m. yesterday, the terms of surrender being unconditional. It is estimated about 25,000 prisoners have been captured in this sector, including six generals. Counting is not yet completed. Large quantities of enemy equipment and war material were also captured. Mopping up operations continue. In the sector south-east of Tunis heavy and- bitter fighting is still in progress, the enemy resisting with determination. By evening our armoured elements had made progress and the advance continues. The French forces also met with strong opposition in the Zaghouan sector but succeeded in making a local advance.

In the Eighth Army sector active patrolling was carried out throughout the day. A local attack achieved all its objectives and some prisoners were taken. Yesterday the tactical air force maintained its heavy and continuous attacks on the enemy in Cape Bon Peninsula. Troops and transports were attacked without respite and great" damage was caused.

German and Italian prisoners so far taken in Tunisia number 64,000, says the Algiers radio. General Giraud's Secretary of Information, M. Andre Labarthe, said it was estimated that 42,000 Axis troops were wounded in the North African campaign between November 9 and May 9. The Axis had also lost 530 tanks, 600 guns and 4500 vehicles.

Shipping around the coast on the peninsula and to the east of Bizerta was bombed. Vessels were sunk and others damaged and considerable losses were caused to enemy personnel. Allied Advance Unchecked The position of the Axis troops in Tunisia is reported by Press messages to be becoming more and more desperate, and now the blockade has tightened round Cape Bon Peninsula by the Allied air, sea and land forces. The Germans are resisting with the greatest determination on hilly regions along the coast southeast of Tunis to cover the general retreat into the peninsula, but British armoured units and infantry continue to advance. The latter encountered strong German artillery and mortar fire from well protected positions in the hills, but nothing could check their progress. German tanks came into action near Suliman. Strong resistance was also met by the French near Zaghouan. Further German commanders who surrendered to the Americans were Major-Generals von Vaerst, of the Fifth Panzer Division, Nauffer, von Daumsenge and Buloudious.

The famous Afrika Korps was rapidly liquidated. It was learned the enemy tried to embark at Porto i Farina before the Allied tanks approached, but were prevented by the quick action of Allied bombers and surrendered. Harassed and disorganised, the enemy is undergoing ceaseless pursuit by immense numbers of aircraft, which have long since swept all opposition out of the skies. Scores of fighters land fighterbombers have already sunk many small craft loaded with troops, and stopped other boats landing. Allied air operations, which also included the devastating attacks on Palermo and Pantelleria, were carried out with the loss of five aircraft.