Germans In Tunisia

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23882, 26 February 1943, Page 5

Germans In Tunisia

heavy allied air blows ' press Association—Copyright) inec 11 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 25. ' Axis armoured units in central 'Tunisia have now withdrawn into the vasserin gap, leaving the plain to the west sale for Allied troops to advance Within one mile of the western mouth Hi the gap. The Axis forces are believed to be regrouping behind the Allied North African communique slated: ‘‘Following the heavy fighting of the last three days north and north-west of Kasserin, American and British forces, after ciiccessfully holding the enemy’s attacks forced his withdrawal in this sector Continuous attacks were made throughout the day by our fighter bombers on enemy columns. A numbei ,”f enemy motor vehicles were ' c <H(«wyed in the battle area. In the Vssadour area, west of Ousseltia, an Snemy attack was successfully repulsed Infantry and armoured units contacted the enemy, inflicting heavy casualties, taking many prisoners and securing abandoned enemy material. Dn the northern sector our offensive natrol activity continued. Fighters also maintained offensive patrols over the forward area. Three enemy fighters were shot down. On Tuesday night our bombers raided Bizerte. Yesterday, among other targets, an pnemv airfield near Kairouan was bombed. Off the Tunisian coast Allied bombers sank five powered barges, carrying motor transports. A fighter destroyed on enemy aircraft. Eight of our aircraft are missing, but one pilot is safe. Two of our aircraft, previously reported missing, are now is at the edge of the hills four miles west of Ousseltia, 35 miles north-east of Sbiba, and 35 miles south of Bou Arada. Withdrawal to Gap A British United Press correspondent says: “The Axis forces have now been pushed back into a small stretch of territory extending only three

miles beyond the Kasserin gap. A large number of the prisoners taken were German rearguards who remained behind to cover the withdrawal. . „ Reuter’s correspondent in North Africa says: "The latest front-line reports state that the Germans have recreated a total distance of 15 miles from the point of their farthest advance. They are now making a desperate stand to check the Allied ,->nrush and enable their men and rifitfipment to retire safely.” : The British United Press says: “The Americans, who held up the second German thrust on the KassennTebessa road, via Jebel Hamra, are now also pushing the Germans back to Kasserin, However, the situation remains fluid. Accordingly there is no basis for excessive optimism. An American Associated Press correspondent at field headquarters in North Africa says: “The Allied air forces carried out their heaviest attacks of the war against the retreating German columns. Allied aeroplanes attacked with a concentrated fury of cannon fire, machine-gun fire, and also bombs, which shook the whole of the enemy forces Even Plying Fortresses were called in to help deliver an air attack the like of which the Germans had scarcely dreamed could be mounted. . The intense artillery fire and bombing forced the Axis forces to leave the vast mountainous amphitheatre on the Allied side of the pass to the British and American forces. Our most advanced observation post radioed this evening that no enemy forces remained on the plain. The Americans, attacking from Tebessa, captured more than 300 Italians and Germans with enough small arms to equip an entire battalion. Reuter’s correspondent says that during their withdrawal from near Thala the Germans threw in Italians to support their holding tactics. The Allied forces trapped an Italian battalion of about 2000 men in a pass leading to Siliana. French forces covering the entrance allowed the Italians to get well into the pass before closing in behind them. The Italians sought the shelter of a wadi, but Scottish troops blocked the exit. The Allied forces could not completely encircle the Italians. Twenty-three German tanks are believed to have been destroyed on Tuesday, when Allied aeroplanes battered the retreating armoured units unceasingly. The correspondent of "The Times” at Algiers says: "The attacking Axis forces in central Tunisia consisted of an unexpectedly strong force of tanks and infantry drawn from General von Arnim’s and Marshal Rommel’s armies. Its spearhead was the remains of Marshal Rommel’s 21st Panzer Division, which he evidently sent ahead of his army. The assembling of such a force without the knowledge of the Allies was a considerable military feat.” The German News Agency claims that 4500 British and American troops and 3000 French troops were killed in the central Tunisian fighting. The total losses of the Allied forces, including prisoners, the agency claims, were at least 20,000 men. It is estimated in London that the German air force in Tunisia comprises 300 aircraft of all types, including 50 dive-bombers.

BRITISH NATIONALS IN JAPAN

further exchange f SOUGHT ' RUGBY, Feb. 24. . Ihe Swiss Government, as protecting Power, has informed the Japanese Government of the desire of the British Government to arrange a further exchange of British nationals in Japanese and Japanese-occupied territories for Japanese in the British Empire. The Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Mr Richard Law), informing the House of Commons of this, said that the Japanese Government had not yet replied.