FIGHTING IN TUNISIA

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23801, 21 November 1942, Page 5

FIGHTING IN TUNISIA

Eight Enemy Tanks Destroyed BRITISH ADVANCE IN NORTH (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 11 P- ,n -) LONDON, November 20. British and American mechanised forces, after scattered dashes with German patrols, have reached a point midway between the Tunisian frontier and Bizerte,” says the correspondent of the Associated Press' at Allied Headquarters in North Africa. “Spitfires smashed an attempt by the Luftwaffe to attack the Allied armoured forces advancing: along the Tunisian coast to Bizerte and Tunis. Five Axis bombers were destroyed and the rest fled. Two Spitfires were lost.” “Clashes between British and German detachments in Tunisia are reported from General Headquarters of the British Ist Army,” says the Morocco radio. “Strong patrols of the Ist Army made contact with .German mechanised detachments in the northern sector of Tunisia on Tuesday.” The report, which is confirmed in London, continues: “Eight of 30 enemy tanks engaged in the fighting were destroyed. A few British anti-tank guns and heavy guns were put out of action. “In another encounter three German tanks were destroyed and German troops operating in conjunction with these were forced to withdraw. British paratroops destroyed six enemy armoured vehicles and captured some prisoners. , “The Germans have succeeded in landing a few heavy tanks at Bizerte and also several light tanks at Bages. Two hundred German infantry dropped from aeroplanes took possession of the town hall and barracks at Gabes, in spite of French resistance.”

The German radio speaks of the first ikirmishes in Tunisia taking place between the coast and the railway some miles east of Tabarca, and says that (he Ist Army has strong forces in this region. The radio says the Luftwaffe has been dive-bombing troops between the frontier and Tabarca. The Morocco radio says that after rejecting two ultimatums from General Nehring, ordering him either to evacuate his forces from Tunisia or to join the Axis, General Barre, commanding the French forces in Tunisia, launched an attack against the invaders. Allied land and air forces are closely supporting him. , , More air attacks on the Tunis aerodrome are reported in to-day’s Cairo communique, which says that on Wednesday night hits were scored on hangars and fires started. The British United Press correspondent at Allied Headquarters says that so many Flying Fortresses are now in North Africa that the Axis air strength has been completely overwhelmed. More Fortresses are on the way. The only news of military operations In North Africa yesterday came from Axis sources. The German News Agency reported that Axis occupation of further sectors of Tunisia was being carried out without friction. So far there had been no major clashes with the British and Americans. The agency said: “Heavy German and Italian raids against the harbour I of Bpne and traffic along the Algerian I and Tunisian coasts is hindering the I apemy’s advance and the landing of forces. Every day’s delay in | of the British and Amiericanrmeans more reinforcements for the Axis forces in Tunisia.” There is still official silence about the operations, but it is clear that both aides are pouring forces into Tunisia by every available means. In the circumstances there can be no definite dividing line between the two sides,

especially as tjoth are likely to be aiming first and foremost at the occupation of such strategic points as aerodromes, ports, and junctions. A further element of uncertainty in the rapidly-moving situation is the attitude of the French garrisons and authorities at each place, on which much depends. Four Royal -Air Force Spitfires attacked six Italian torpedo-carrying aircraft off the coast of Algeria as they were preparing to attack an Allied convoy. Within one minute five of the Italian aircraft were in the sea and the sixth had fled. No torpedoes were dropped.