AIR OPERATIONS IN TUNISIA

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23848, 18 January 1943, Page 5

AIR OPERATIONS IN TUNISIA

23 ENEMY AIRCRAFT DESTROYED

RAIDS ON SOUSSE AND SFAX

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON. Jan. 17. Nothing is reported to-day from the Tunisian end of the African battlefront.

The destruction of 23 enemy aircraft, including seven transport aeroplanes, was announced yesterday in a communique from Allied Headquarters in North Africa, which said: “Ground activity has been limited to patrolling by both sides. During sweeps off the Tunisian coast a large schooner was bombed and attacks were made on two escorted formations of enemy transport aeroplanes. Seven transports and two escorting fighters were shot down. “Medium bombers attacked road and rail communications near Gabes. Enemy fighters were encountered and one of them was destroyed. During daylight attacks on our airfields seven enemy aircraft were destroyed. Last night six enemy bombers were destroyed. From all these operations eight of our aircraft are missing.” An earlier Allied communique reported that Sousse and Sfax were bombed by Flying Fortresses, barges and quays being hit and fires left, burning. The forward areas were also attacked. Four Allied aircraft were lost, but one of the pilots was safe. On Wednesday two enemy bombers were shot down and an enemy fighter destroyed. The enemy has been using his North African coast ports to their full capacity to bring in supplies and. reinforcements, and the attack on Sousse resulted in damage to quays, and fuel stores, depots, and warehouses at Sfax were set on fire. A railway near Sfax and a roadway in the Mahares area were also bombed.

"Apart from an intensification of air operations, which is generally a sign that something is brewing, there are no indications of the beginning of extensive land operations in Tunisia and Tripolitania,” says the correspondent of the British United Press in Algiers. “Improved weather has revitalised air activity, with scores of air battles accompanying British attacks against landing grounds and troop concentrations.”

Lieutenant-General Anderson, commander of the British Ist Army, held a small investiture yesterday a few miles behind the front, at which Jie decorated a number of British officers and other ranks for conspicuous service in the first phases of the battle for Tunisia. Four officers received the D.5.0., including the colonel who commanded the British armoured force which went into action in Tunisia, and the colonel commanding the parachutists, who did such fine work in harrying the enemy south-west of Tunis. Nine officers were awarded the M.C., and 20 other ranks received the D.C.M. or M.M. In spite of military claims on all available shipping, the Allies have, already found means of putting into effect their declared policy of providing relief and economic assistance in the wake of their armies. Soms_23.ooo tons of supplies for civilian consumers have already been unloaded at African ports, including textiles, flour, d:.-ied foods, cheese, sugar, and, tea. These goods are being distributed by the French on a strict rationing basis.

REINFORCEMENTS FOR AFRICA

BOMBERS CROSSING ATLANTIC

(Rec. 9 p.m.) NEW YORK, Jan. 17. The correspondent of the “New York Times” somewhere in West Africa says; “America is rushing increasing numbers of bombers by several new shortened routes from South America to Africa. On one route the bombers cover 1800 miles non-stop. The terminal point has not been disclosed, but it is no secret that many American light and heavy bombers are flying south via the South American jungles and then hopping the South Atlantic. These new routes have been opened up within recent weeks. Others even shorter will be used presently."

ORDER FOR RELEASE OF PRISONERS .

ARRESTS UNDER VICHY IN NORTH AFRICA

(Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 17. The release of all political prisoners arrested in Africa under the Vichy regime for favouring the Allies has been ordered, according to official sources. The announcement was made, says the Associated Press correspondent at Allie ' Headquarters in North Africa, because it was understood that negotiations between General Giraud and General de Gaulle were progressing favourably.

ROYAL NAVY ON OFFENSIVE

POWERFUL FORCE IN MEDITERRANEAN (Rec. 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 16. Emphasising the Navy’s offensive intentions, Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham, commanding the naval forces in North Africa, in an interview with the “Daily Mail” correspondent (Mr Ward Price) said he was convinced that naval and air attacks against the enemy’s North African communications, combined with direct assaults on land positions, would drive the enemy from Tunisia.

“Obviously the Allied forces cannot dominate the whole Mediterranean until the Italian fleet is disposed of. If the Italian fleet came out, I have a very powerful force specially allocated to the task of dealing with it, and I have no doubt about the issue,” Sir Andrew Cunningham said. “We now have complete freedom of movement in the eastern and western parts of the Mediterranean. I always felt that our position would be restored—indeed I believe the war may well be decided —in the Mediterranean.” Sir Andrew Cunningham said that considering the great scale of the North African operations the Allied sea losses were surprisingly small. Of the 1000 ships which made the double journey between the United Kingdom and North Africa, sinkings were under 3 per cent. The casualties were mostly empty ships homeward bound.