STOP PRESS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23918, 9 April 1943, Page 1

STOP PRESS

NORTH AFRICAN OFFENSIVE To-day’s North African communique says that in northern Tunisia the British Ist Army is now strongly on the, offensive. Yesterday morning, after what correspondents describe as the heaviest artillery fire ever heard In northern Tunisia, an attack was made on the salient formed by the Germans 40 miles west of Tunis. The communique says the attack was successful, many prisoners being taken and much ground gained. In the south the Bth Army continued to pursue the enemy relentlessly. Many more prisoners and much abandoned material were taken. After reporting the meeting yesterday afternoon of the Bth Army and the Americans from El Guelar, the communique says that French troops again co-operated closely-on the southern flank of the Americans, capturing prisoners and 20 guns. Strong forces of light bombers and fighterbombers made heavy and continuous attacks yesterday on enemy troops, tanks, and transport. Considerable damage was caused and many vehicles were ret on fire. Spitfires shot down, five Axis aeroplanes over the battle area. In the north nine of a formation ot Junkers 87's were destroyed. The Algiers radio soys the Bth Army has now reached within 10 miles of Skhirra, the first important town on the Tunisian coast, north of the Wadi Akarit, putting them about 20 miles north of Gabes.— London, April 8.