CAMPAIGN IN TUNISIA

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23803, 24 November 1942, Page 5

CAMPAIGN IN TUNISIA

Clashes With Enemy AXIS ACTIVITY IN SOUTH (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON. Nov. 23. No major engagement has yet been officially reported in Tunisia. Clashes between Allied and Axis forces increased in scale during the week-end. British forward troops inflicted damage on an enemy column. Two enemy attacks were beaten off by French troops which refused to obey Vichy orders. French patrols are reported to be operating far in the rear of the Axis positions. The main body of Allied troops in Tunisia is following rapidly on the heels of the advanced units, and is now reported to be preparing for massed attacks against the A:; Is positions. The Morocco radio stated that Allied shock troops attacked German forces freshly entrenched west of Tunis, and seized an important road junction. Reports from the Algiers and Morocco radio stations say that British and United States troops, after a rapid advance, are now attacking enemy positions 40 miles south-west at Tunis. Morocco radio reports a statement from French General Headquarters in North Africa that enemy infiltration has developed along the front from Gafsa to Kairouan. Enemy patrols were driven from the Gafsa oasis by Allied forces. Attack on Bizerte Defences According to an American Associated Press correspondent at Allied headquarters, the British, American, and French forces are battering at the German defences round Bizerte in at least five places. The correspondent adds: “Unconfirmed reports indicate

that the French have beaten back the Germans trying to smash southwards through the French defences in order to contact Tripolitania. Another unconfirmed report states that the Germans have occupied Gabes harbour.” The position in south Tunisia generally is most confusing, and there is no elucidation of the French report that German detachments have entered Tunisia from Tripolitania, moving in the direction of Gafsa ;.nd Kairouan. Me.. French garrisons are swinging over to the Allies and are fighting fiercely. The French attacking German positions are stated to have suffered 100 casualties. The Morocco radio said Allied forces, operating from bases on the Feriana-Gafsa railway, were advancing towards the east coagt of Tunisia. The radio added: “It appears that the German command has found it useless to continue resistance in south Tunisia. The Axis forces in this sector have therefore been ordered to cut their way through northwards.” The Madrid correspondent of the “Daily Mail” says: “It is reported from Algiers that the Allied forces are nearing Mateur (south of Bizerte).” A British United Press correspondent says French units behind the German lines captured three patrols in the vicinity of the south-east coast of Tunisia. The Italians have moved into the same area from Tripolitania. Allied Air Attacks Reporting air operations in Tunisia, to-day’s Cairo communique says Allied' medium bombers attacked Bizerte on Saturday, hits being scored on hangars and buildings, causing two fires. An aerodrome in Sicily was attacked by twin-engined aircraft which strafed enemy machines on the ground. Yesterday two other enemy aerodromes were attacked. Enemy transport aircraft were attacked in the Mediterranean by long-range fighters, at least six of them being shot down into the sea. Allied losses were one aircraft. Other reports say very great air activity continues. It is revealed that Flying Fortresses and Lightning fighters have for the first time been in action together against the Luftwaffe. Flying Fortresses,, escorted by Lightnings, struck in daylight yesterday against the Tunis aerodrome, hitting the hangars, starting many fires, destroying five German aeroplanes on the ground, and probably destroying half a dozen others. Messerschmitt 109’s attacked the Flying Fortresses: as they were returning to their base. The Flying Fortresses without loss shot down three Messerschmitts, and the Lightnings shot down one Messerschmitt and drove off the remainder, The American air forces are now in action on a large scale over Tunisia. American 1 aircraft effectively bombed port facilities at Tripoli in daylight on Saturday. Later Royal Air Force heavy bombers made a night raid on the port, which Was shrouded in dense smoke. Axis aircraft made two raids on Algiers last night. “It is understood that an agreement has been reached under which the entire French North African army will be turned over to the United Nations,” says an Oran message. "The French troops will fight under their own officers, but under American command. “The handling of the internal situation at Oran is a masterpiece of subtlety. The theory of leaving proAxis elements at large in spite of protests from pro-Allied residents is not urely idealistic. The intention is to allow the French authorities to clean up their own doorstep and to punish Axis organisations without Allie' interference.” It has been announced In Algiers that Jews, who in 1940 were deprived of their citizenship rights, are being called up under the current military mobilisation. The authorities have thus taken the first step towards the