CONSOLIDATION OF POSITION

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23858, 29 January 1943, Page 5

CONSOLIDATION OF POSITION

ALLIED CAMPAIGN IN TUNISIA AXIS REPORTS OF U.S. PLANS (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 28. In Tunisia, according to the latest official information, the Allied forces are consolidating the positions regained in the Ousseltia valley and the mountains west of it. “In the Ousseltia Valley and the mountains to the east, Allied forces have regained some of the positions captured by the enemy in recent operations,” states a communique from Tunisia. “These positions are being consolidated. Two of a small force of enemy fighter-bombers which attacked an airfield were destroyed. We lost two during the day. Last night a small number of enemy aircraft dropped bombs in the Algiers area. Two bombers were destroyed.” According to agency reports, American troops are operating east and north-east of Ousseltia in the region about 40 miles west of the Gulf of Hammamet. “A big clash seems nearer in Tunisia. There is’ evidence of the concentration of Allied strength for the final

bout with the Axis, for the possession of the whole of North Africa,” states Reuter’s correspondent in Tunisia. “The Americans have made considerable progress in the Ousseltia area. They knocked out 15 German tanks in recent fighting to the north of the town.” The Berlin radio states that the American Army is preparing for increased activity south-east of Tebessa. Its advanced formations, pushing eastwards and south-eastwards, engaged Axis patrols at several points. The Tunisia correspondent of “The Times” says: “Our Ist and Bth Armies now find themselves jointly engaged in the same operations. This is for the moment likely to be disadvantageous, because the length of our communications will remain enormous, even when Tripoli is again operating, whereas the elimination of the long supply line from Tunis and Sousse to Tripoli has greatly eased the German supply problem. The German forces are more compactly grouped, and- the strain on the British Ist Army is likely to be severe until the Bth Army is able to give closer support. The Germans retain the majority of Tunisian aerodromes, and are able at short notice to transfer fresh squadrons from Sicily.” SOUTH AFRICAN TROOPS AMENDMENT TO MOTION BY SMUTS CAPE TOWN. Jan. 28. Opening the debate on his motion to authorise the sending of South African troops • outside the African continent, the Prime Minister of South Africa (General Smuts) told the Assembly it would be necessary to keep some forces inside Africa, even after Tunisia had been cleared, but a substantial number of South Africans would be available for the fighting areas close to South Africa. They would not be sent to America or the Far East, but would help to win victory in the areas where the war would soon be decided. Dr. D. F. Malan, Leader of the Opposition and of the Nationalist Party, moved an amendment demanding South Africa's immediate withdrawal from the war.’ The debate is likely to last several days, but the passing of General Smuts’s motion is believed to be certain. Civilian Casualties on Malta.—lt is officially stated that civilian casualties on Malta so far number 1178 killed, 1799 seriously injured, 1978 slightly injured, and 290 died in hospital.—London, January 27