BATTLE FOR PASSES

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23914, 5 April 1943, Page 5

BATTLE FOR PASSES

U.S. Forces In Tunisia

“GRIM STRUGGLE AHEAD” (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Hec. 11 p.m.) LONDON. April 4. The grim struggle ahead in Tunisia for the passes in the mountain barrier to the coastal plain is emphasised by correspond* ents. In the southern part of the barrier United States forces are reported to be moving ahead slowly east of El Guetar. According to a report from one correspondent sappers made a gap in the German minefields, and the American tanks went through. The Germans immediately counter-attacked with heavy tank forces, and the American tanks withdrew. In central Tunisia United States forces are fortifying positions in the Fonndouk pass area. One agency report says the American forces in this area have pulled back slightly. Other parts of the Tunisian front are described as “relatively quiet.” The United Press says; “The American tanks and infantry attacked the main German defence line in south and central Tunisia, in an effort to breakthrough tpthe coastal plain and smash Marshal Rommel’s strong rearguards defending the Wadi Akarit, 20 miles north of Gabes. The American thrust followed a German coun-ter-attack on Friday, east of El Guetar, which petered out after three out of 32 tanks were destroyed. “The United States thrust is apparently designed to hit Marshal Rommel’s flank in order to assist the Bth Army, which has made contact with the Afrlka Korps along the formidable Wadi Akarit. "One American general commented: ‘We are in the position of a football team with 10 yards—lo rough yards—to go for a touch down’.” The American Associated Press says: “Marshal Rommel, with his best armour blunted and broken against the unyielding American lines, is trying night aerial attacks, using four-en-gined bombers for the first time in this sector.” Reuter’s correspondent at El Guetar says: “The Germans used a considerable number of tanks in a completely unsuccessful counter-attack against American troops advancing along the Gafsa-Gabes road. The attack was made at a point near the junction of this road with the Kebili road. The Americans secured a valuable high observation post on the south flank of the Jebel Berda, and brought destructive fire to bear against three German batteries. “This caused the Germans to mass artillery to defend their positions east of El Guetar and thus hinder the linking up of the Americans and the Bth Army. “There are signs that the Germans are apprehensive about the situation on the Fichon-Fonndouk sector, which would be an excellent starting point for a drive towards Kairouan, and they have strengthened the defending forces there.” The correspondent of the British United Press with the Americans east of El Guetar reported that crack German troops entrenched in a labyrinth of underground fortifications on a hillside on one sector were still barring the American advance, but the encirclement threat to these Germans is growing. The correspondent of the British United Press states that American infantry smashed through the Bimrabott Pass 14 miles eastward of FA Guetar. to join the Bth Army forces moving westward along the GabesGafsa road.