ADVANCE IN TUNISIA

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23811, 3 December 1942, Page 5

ADVANCE IN TUNISIA

Strength of Enemy

Resistance

HEAVY ALLIED AIR ATTACKS

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 2, In Tunisia the Allied land forces are pressing forward, and were last reported about 20 miles from Bizerte and 13 miles from Tunis. Heavy Allied air attacks continue against Bizerte, Tunis, and Sfax. In northeastern Tunisia the Germans are putting up fairly strong resistance. They appear to have received further reinforcements. Gabes, where the Germans are reported to be trying to establish a secondary base, is also a target for Allied air attack. An Allied land force is crossing Tunisia towards Gabes, but there is no confirmation of reports from Morocco radio that this force has reached the eastern Tunisian coast between Sfax and Gabes.

The correspondent of the “New York Times” “somewhere in Tunisia” states that the Axis forces in the TumsBizerte triangle are rallying for a desperate attempt in the defence of Tunis, which they fear may fall within the next few days. A detachment of French troops is reported to have reached Pont du Falis, a railway town 35 miles south-south-east from Tunis.

The British Ist Army, supported by American armoured units, is advancing slowly through heavy minefields under air strafing. The Germans are reported to be putting up a wellplanned and skilful defence. The Allies are finding bridges mined and defended with machine-guns. Light and medium tanks are being used by the Germans.

The correspondent of the "Daily Express” at Allied headquarters says Allied air-borne troops continue to land at strategic positions ahead of the British Ist Army. The Morocco radio says the British forces are daily receiving important reinforcements of American war material. “Our forward units are maintaining strong pressure on the enemy’s positions in the vicinity of Mateur and Jedeida,” states Tuesday’s communique from Allied Headquarters in North Africa. “Contact has also been made between these two places. In southeastern Tunisia, numerous patrols, including French, have damaged enemy installations.

“Air activity continues on the whole of the Tunisian area, including bombing and especially fighter sorties against low-flying enemy attacks on our ground troops. Our fighters have destroyed six enemy aircraft in the last few days, in addition to those already announced. We have lost five fighters, but three of the pilots are safe. Allied bombers attacked the docks at Bizerte in daylight, and made another raid on the Bizerte aerodrome, where hangars were set on fire. Other fires, were left burning.” Heavy Allied Air Attacks

Bizerte. Tunis, and other key points are being hammered by the Allied air forces in a terrific round-the-clock blitz which appears to be the forerunner of the Ist Army’s big land assault. Royal Air Force medium bombers last night dropped high explosives on Bizerte without a pause. Daylight had scarcely appeared when other aircraft took up the attack. Air Marshal Ke.v 1 sclring rushed up Germany’s latest fighters, Focke Wulf 190’s and Mcsserschmitt 109’s, from their Sicilian bases--types which so far have only been seen in strength in Western Europe. Lockheed Lightnings shot down two of these, while others were damaged, for the loss of one United States aeroplane. Other Allied aeroplanes, darting from low clouds, shot up enemy troop detachments. It is believed that the vital Bizene airfield is so devastated that most of the Luftwaffe bombers and fighters may be driven back to Sicily, Reuter’s correspondent at Allied headquarters states that with Axis reinforcements still arriving, it is estimated that Lieutenant-General Anderson's men now-face 20.000 German and Italian combat troops. The enemy also has many thousands of support troops, including communications and air detachments. Berne reports, quoting semi-official Italian sources, state that Hitler has convoked a meeting of his High Command at Berchtesgaden in reference to the operations in Africa. Observers in Rome predict an early withdrawal of the Axis forces from Tunis and Bizerte.

CHIEF OF THE STATE

ADMIRAL DARLAN’S POSITION

IMPERIAL COUNCIL SET UP (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, flee. 2. The Morocco radio announces that Admiral Darlan, as representative of Marshal Petain, has assumed the powers of Chief of the State in French North Africa, and has established an Imperial Council at Algiers under his presidency. The council has already met twice, those present including General Nogues, Governor-General Boisson, M. Chatel, General Giraud, and General Bergery. The radio adds: “French Africa has resumed its official status, enabling it to defend the Empire’s general interests and to represent France in world councils. Marshal Petain, as Chief of the State, is at present a prisoner, and for that reason it is necessary that French sovereignty should be maintained during his absence. The Imperial Council will henceforth assume the rights and the duties of the Government in every country concerned. The Imperial Council will henceforth represent the Empire’s various territories, and will form a liaison between them.

"The council consists of the Governors and Residents-General of Algeria, Morocco, and French West Africa, shortly Tunisia, and also the com-mander-in-chief and the delegations of the various territories represented in Algiers.”

The High Commissioner for French West Africa and the American authorities arc at present engaged in talks, which the Foreign Secretary (Mr R. A. Eden) said in the House of Commons to-day were concerned with the use to be made of French West African ports and other facilities.

GOVERNMENT OF FRANCE

REPORTED TRANSFER TO PARIS ißec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 2. According to a Stockholm message the transfer of the Vichy Government to Paris has begun. Riots have broken out at the naval arsenal at Toulon. This was revealed when Vice-Admiral Marquis issued the following statement: "Because of difficulties encountered yesterday over the resumption of work at the arsenal and subsequent disorders, the arsenal gates will be closed from to-day until further notice. Only officials and personnel to maintain the electricity and other services will be admitted. The conditions for a resumption of work will be announced later.” The Vichy News Agency states that the Laseyne shipyards have resumed, but they will work only 36 instead of 48 hours.

A third French submarine has arrived at Oran after its escape from Tcplon.