GAINS BY 1ST ARMY

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23919, 10 April 1943, Page 5

GAINS BY IST ARMY

ATTACK TOWARDS MEJEZ EL BAB

THRUST INTO ENEMY SALIENT (N.Z. Press Associa on—Copyright)

(Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON. April 8. Describing the operations in northern Tunisia, a correspondent says: “The latest Ist Army attack is along the Beja-Mejez el Bab road (between Munchar and Mejez el Bab), which runs due east and west. The Ist Army is advancing north of the road, pressing into the enemy salient. By noon on Wednesday, after the heaviest barrage yet put up in northern Tunisia, the Ist Army had taken its first objectives. This attack, like the one in south Tunisia, is going according to plan." The Exchange Telegraph Agency s correspondent with the advanced forces says: “The attack by the Ist Army was launched at 4 a.m. on Wednesday at commanding heights held by the enemy in the Mejez el Bab area. Our troops at dawn penetrated the enemy positions, and were continuing their advance into the hills. Tanks wiped out enemy strongpoints, which gave the infantry trouble. “The heaviest barrage ever known in northern Tunisia preceded the attack. British guns of all calibres threw tons of high explosives into the enemy positions, during a 20 minutes’ nonstop barrage. It appeared to catch the enemy by surprise, because it was a long time before he replied. In the meantime British infantry were advancing into battle. The barrage died down as the infantry came in close contact with the enemy, and for an hour the noise of machine-guns was heard from the hills.

“A message came with the first light of dawn that the lower hills were captured, and the infantry was pressing on. Enemy guns began to operate. Our artillery took up the challenge, and then our tanks advanced towards the foothills. They spread out, and the enemy was unable to' find the range with either guns or mortars. All the tanks went on steadily into the enemy's positions, using their six-pounder shells.

“Although the enemy’s mortar fire was at times heavy, the infantry could be seen advancing across country towards the enemy positions. The advance was not rapid, as the infantry had to wipe out many strongpoints.” Heavy Allied Gunfire Describing the gunfire which preceded the Ist Army’s advance, a correspondent says there was a. continuous crash of guns reverberating through the valley. From a hill I could see the guns flashing out highexplosive shells, and lighting up the whole valley. The guns formed an arc of twinkling lights, while the continuous whine of shells was like a howling gale.

The Associated Press of Great Britain reports that -the Ist Army is now within 27 miles of Tunis. The Ist Army is led by men who first crossed the Tunisian frontier in the middle of November, after which they have been fighting in almost the same area. They are opposed almost exclusively by Germans. The country over, which they are attacking is mostly hills and it is practically impossible for armour. The Germans are stiffly resisting. Nevertheless the British have pushed on to an average depth of four to five miles over a front of from eight to 10 miles long. Berlin states that Lieutenant-General Anderson has enormous superiority in men and material which he will try to exploit to the maximum. An allout Allied offensive along the whole Tunisian front is expected.