ALL EYES ON TUNISIA

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 70, 7 May 1943, Page 4

ALL EYES ON TUNISIA

TUNISIA W:day has become the focal point of Empire, for there under irresistable force of the Allied dual caimpaign the last remnant of the Axis Afrika Corps making a desperate final stand. Berlin radio has admitted the hopelessness of the position in the: face of the mounting Anglo American armies and once through the broken terrain of the rough mountainous country that separates t he interior from the coastal belt, victory for the Allies will be swift and complete. The final stages of the thre* years of epic struggle are to-day taking place sealing the fate of Mussolini's African Empire and concluding a further glorious chapter in our battle history. Behind these last phases lies a story of dogged courage: in adversity which is without parallel. Three times has the fighting Eighth Army been thrown out of Libya. Four times it has regrouped itself and returned to the assault. Each new campaign has necessitated the gruelling task of fighting a way across the bleak ?,nd barren desert and yet undaunted as ever the soldiers of Empire have gallantly responded to each demand until finally their battalions form an armed ring on the mountain crags overlooking Bizerta and even Tunis itself. Let us reflect a little 'ere the curtains are finally drawn on the heroic episode. Libya has taken three weary years of conquest, glowing with heroism, and radiant with the sacrifice and courage of men who have been classed as the finest fighters in the world. From the very gates of Alexandra, the tide of battle has ebbed and flowed. Now carried a thousand miles westward; now hurtling furiously towards, the rising sun. The only force to steam the Nazi flood was that cosmopolitan collection of units from all the Allied nations known as the Eighth

Army. Throughout the tortuous years all these units have played a vital and prominent part in achieving to the present final stage, We recall the heroism of the English County and regular regiments, the daring exploits of the Fighting French, the gallantry of the Polish Division and the bravery of the Czechs and Greeks. We remember also the part played by the magnificent South African force* the Australians and the Americans; but closest and warmest in our memories must stand the proud exploits of our own New Zealand boys, with particular emphasis on the dashing fearlessness of the men of the Maori Battalion* who have v more than once staggered the world with their prodigies of valour and intrepidity. If any commemoration of the present war is to be linked, in years ta, come with the hallowed memory of Anzac, it should surely be the long-drawn suffering and testing-ground offered by the Libyan campaign. For it has once again given New Zealanders the opportunity of proving their mettle and courage in a manner which has showered glory anew on their homeland.