NO CHANGE IN TUNISIA

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 13065, 6 February 1943, Page 3

NO CHANGE IN TUNISIA

BIG AIR BATTLE OVER

GABES Twenty-Five Axis Planes Shot Down Army of 200,000 For Giraud London. Feb. 5. It is reported that patrols of the Bth Army have not yet entirely cleared the enemy out of Tripolitania. But it is expected that our men will be over the frontier in a few days. • No change is reported from Tunisia in the land fighting. Our forces have held the height which they captured south-east of Bou Arada in the face of repeated enemy "counterattacks. American tanks have withdrawn from Sened railway station, having accomplished their mission. Flying Fortresses and Lightnings which were making a raid on Gabes clashed with some enemy fighters. A big scrap followed and 25 enemy fighters were shot down. One Flying Fortress and four of the Lightnings were lost. N Our Middle East Halifaxes and Wellingtons raided Palermo in Sicily on Wednesday night, and our Mosquito bombers also attacked other targets in Sicily. M. Boisson, Governor-General of French West Africa, has offered General Giraud 200,000 trained and equipped soldiers. They are mainly Senegalese troops. M. Boisson said that a further 200,000 would be forthcoming if equipment and European officers could be found for them. He said that nothing which could be done would be left undone to aid in the defeat of the Germans.