RECENT ENEMY GAINS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23881, 25 February 1943, Page 5

RECENT ENEMY GAINS

GERMAN SUPPLY PROBLEM

DANGERS OF ALLIED POSITION (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

(Rec, 12.15 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 23. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” says: “The fighting in western Tunisia, which is reported to be stabilised, now promises to become a battle of supply and transport. News dispatches from command headquarters in Tunisia, and also Washington intelligence, indicate that our forces before Tebessa have mustered sufficient force to hold the Germans, if not to push them back. The Germans hold territory which may prove to be an embarrassment to them just as it was to our forces. “Some supplies can reach the German lines over the railway from Sousse, but when they pushed to the west from Sidi Bousid from Pichon, 25 miles west of Kairouan, the Germans left in their rear the only highways which can be classed as main roads. This means that transport to combat lines for distances of from 30 to 40 miles must be carried over mountain roads which are little better thin trails. Thus the Germans depend on the same inadequate roads which were a large factor in the initial defeat of our forces.

“The Allies, in falling back, have approached better transportation facilities, including the terminal of two railways at Tebessa, and also reasonably good roads.” The "Daily Telegraph’s” correspondent, Christopher Buckley, in a long report from the Tunisian front, expresses the opinion that the position at Thala is graver than the push towards Tebessa, with a potential threat endangering the Allies’ whole position in this sector.

He regards the enemy capture of the Kasserin Pass as an achievement of considerable military importance, and adds that while it need not be regarded with excessive pessimism, it undoubtedly opens up further possibilities for an offensive. He continues: “It must be remembered always that all the enemy operations here are strategically more in the nature of a delaying action aiming at postponing as long as possible the final expulsion of the Axis forces from Africa. Indefinite holding of the Tunisian bridgehead against the forces which we shall be. able to ,deploy from both ends (Tunis and Tripoli) in increasing numbers is not a practicable proposition. “Making all allowances for the offensive spirit which has always characterised the German High Command and also for the rate of Axis reinforcement, things will have to go very badly for us in the field before the enemy can undertake a major enveloping movement. “Has anything vital been lost thus far? I do not think so. The loss of ground is not really significant. While it would be more satisfactory to have been able to hold the positions, the retreat in this sector is far less important than it would be on the hills in the immediate neighbourhood of Tunis or Bizerte. “In the long run the Axis gains can be retained only so long as the Bth Army is south of Gabes. Let it once pass the Gabes Gap and it is inevitable that the Germans must pull right back from the area they have now won. Loss of Airfields "Of more importance is the loss of airfields. Already we have too few landing grounds in the forward areas. The transfer of even'one of our few good forward landing grounds to enem„ hands is not going’.to simplify the Allied task.' “In short, our task of clearing the enemy from Tunisia has been lengthened to some extent and complicated by the developments of the last week. At present there is no need to take a more pessimistic view.” The “Manchester Guardian” emphasises the danger that by the time the Allies land in Europe the Germans may have found a shorter defensive line, in Russia, so that they will be able to accumulate formidable forces to confront the Allies.

The military writer of “The Times” says: “Immediate developments are being watched with some anxiety. The Germans are near to an important strategic success. The danger lies in the enemy’s proximity to the railway from Tebessa to Tunis. Should he reach it the effect on the communications of our forces in central Tunisia and south Tunisia would be unfortunate.” “Th: Times" comments that the enemy is constrained to divert a very substantial part of his now dwindling strength to the defence of his African positions in the hope of delaying the complete investment of Europe until late in the campaigning season.

TELEGRAPH OFFICE AT TANGIER

LONDON COMMENT ON BERLIN REPORT LONDON, Feb. 23. It is stated in London that the Berlin radio report that the Spanish had taken over the French telegraph office at Tangier was possibly a deliberate exaggeration. When the Allies landed in North Africa the Spaniards instantly placed censors in the telegraph office—a step which was a continuation of the policy of extending Spanish control in the Tangier area, chiefly at French expense. The British Government has not given more than de facto recognition to the increased Spanish control, and the British and American Governments’ interests in Tangier have so far not been affected. It is not true that the entire cable service between Casablanca, Algiers, London, and New York is operated through Tangier, and the cable position is not affected.

AXIS TANKER SUNK OFF SICILY

LONDON, Feb. 23. More Axis supply ships have been sunk in the Mediterranean by British aircraft and submarines. A 12,000-ton tanker was attacked off Sicily and was severely damaged. She was later discovered to be still afloat, and torpedo aeroplanes finished her off. Three torpedoes produced a series of explosions and set the vessel on fire, and a fourth torpedo sank her. Thus the Axis was robbed of 3,000,000 gallons of petrol. Another supply vessel was sunk off the Tunisian coast. The vessel was in convoy, escorted by warships and aircraft.

BRITISH MINISTER INJURED

PLANE ACCIDENT IN NORTH AFRICA (Ree. 7 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 23. Mr Harold Macmillan. British Minister in North Africa, was slightly injured in an aeroplane accident in North Africa, but his condition is satisfactory, and he is expected to be at work again soon. Mr Macmillan’s aeroplane had just taken off. says the Associated Press correspondent, when it developed engine trouble and crash-landed. Mr Macmillan and members of the crew were able to walk away unaided. Mr Macmillan spent the night in hospital.

SECOND FRONT IN EUROPE

SWIFT ACTION URGED

LORD BEAYERBROOK’S VIEW (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON. Feb. 23. The need for a second front in Europe was urged by Lord Beaverbrook, speaking in the House of Lords. “Public opinion here thinks that the war is won, although the fighting has not finished,” he said. “That optimism springs from the success of the second Russian offensive, the defeat of the German Army, and the winter operations which have exceeded all our expectations. But we have no right to count on these advantages too much, because there are serious dangers in the way, of which we must beware.” Referring to Communism, Lord Beaverbrook said: "I am not a Communist. I am a capitalist. I do not favour the sharing of wealth. I only ■ ;ant to share opportunities. But none the less it must be admitted that Russian Communism has directed two successful winter offensives unparalleled in history. “How did M. Stalin rally his armies? By persuading his tired people that the second front gave a prospect of victory and that it was not far off. What is to be the answer to M. Stalin’s two messages, the last of which was received this morning? We should strike and strike now, before the Germans regroup their divisions. If another attack is made against Russia in June, maybe it will be too so we must strike quickly if we are to be ready." Another great reason for speed was the Japanese, he said. Japan’s inactivity contrasted strangely with the wild triumphant outbursts of energy during the first months they were in the war. They had only 80 divisions, but they could easily have 300. “Obviously the Japanese are busily engaged on bigscale industrial production,” said Lord Beaverbrook. "We must strike the Germans first and then turn to the Japanese with speed and energy.

“Time is the first consideration. It seems to me that we must now invade north-western Europe. We must invade in the Mediterranean, too, but certainly from the British base as well as from the African base. It is true that Africa has many attractions as a base for an attack against Europe, but Britain has far more advantages. “Time should not be wasted. We cannot afford a year or even months—at the most a few months. These are precious weeks. The war will not be won by a turning of the tide of fortune nor by the inexorable massing of superior machines. We should not comfort ourselves like the fool in the parable by the knowledge that we have goods laid up, that we are accumulating immense treasures in weapons. It is the choice of the hour for staking all that decides the nation’s fate. The hour of decision presses on us. If we loiter or delay it may never come again. It may be gone for ever.”

AXIS SUBMARINES SUNK

ANNOUNCEMENT BY U.S. NAVY SECRETARY WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, The sinking of a German' submarine in the Atlantic and a Japanese submarine in the Pacific is announced by the United States Navy Department. The Secretary of the Navy (Colonel Knox) said that the two sinkings were not isolated cases, but a percentage of other successful attacks must be classified as probables only. He explained that the Navy did not publish the total number of submarines destroyed or probably destroyed, for security reasons,

Generally speaking, said Colonel Knox, shipping losses in the Atlantic had been much lower in the last three months. Nevertheless the submarine was still a very grave menace.

The Associated Press states that the German U-boat was sunk by a destroyer and the Japanese submarine was destroyed by a merchantman. Without warning, the Japanese submarine torpedoed a cargo ship at night. The crew' and 35 passengers prepared to abandon ship amid flames, smoke, and debris, but the Japanese submarine commander made the fatal mistake of coming to the surface immediately after firing the torpedo and shelled the merchantman with a heavy deck gun at a range of only 200 yards. The Japanese shells missed, and the cargo ship’s crew opened fire with two guns. They had only four shells available. as the torpedo had jammed the ship’s ammunition boxes. However, four proved enough, as two direct hits were scored and the submarine slowly sank, spreading oil and debris over the water. The merchantman then opened fire with machine-guns and poured 400 rounds into the sinking submarine. Next morning, the cargo ship, still afloat, was recovered and towed into an Allied port. Both ship and cargo were saved.

EQUAL COMPENSATION FOR WOMEN

(8.0. W.) RUGBY, Feb. 23. The Parliamentary Select Committee on equal compensation for women has published a report announcing its conclusion that the proposal that civilian women be compensated at the same rate as civilian men for war injuries is not only just, but can be adopted with little practical difficulty and relatively little cost. Also, if equality is adopted, it should apply to all accidents suffered in the course of duty, as well as wounds inflicted by the enemy, and to disability pensions for those in the services.

Drawn Boxing Bout.—The New Zealander, George Muir, in an eight-round contest at Bristol, drew with the Welsh heavy-weight, Jimmy Wild.—London, February 23.