Axis Resistance Ends

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23947, 14 May 1943, Page 5

Axis Resistance Ends

VON ARNIM AMONG PRISONERS

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 11.10 p.m.)

LONDON, May 13.

“Organised resistance has ceased, except by isolated enemy pockets,” says a special North African communique. “A great amount of war material has been captured, including many guns and aeroplanes in serviceable condition.” The Deputy-Prime Minister (Mr C. R. Attlee), formally announcing to the House of Commons to-day the end of the African campaign, said that the equipment captured included 1000 guns, 250 tanks, and thousands of motor vehicles. “Thus, in less than a week,” he added, “a great army in a strong position has been entirely destroyed. The end has come more quickly than could have been anticipated.” General von Arnim, the Supreme Commander of the Axis forces in Tunisia, is among the prisoners. He was captured with his entire staff in an inland camp by an armoured reconnaissance force. Only a minute proportion of the enemy forces, fewer than 1000, is believed to have succeeded in escaping across the Sicilian narrows. Prisoners are still pouring in, and British, American, and French troops are clearing up the battlefield in the Cape Bon peninsula and the mountains north of Enfidaville. Mussolini has ordered the Italian troops in Tunisia to cease fire. This is announced in to-day’s Italian communique. The Rome radio later announced that a special announcement will be broadcast over all Italian stations at 9 o’clock to-night. An earlier report said that General Messe, the Italian commander in Tunisia, had rejected a demand from General Sir Bernard Freyberg, General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Division, for the surrender of the forces under General Messe’s command.

A French communique, broadcast by the Algiers radio shortly before the special Allied communique was issued, says: "Broken by a frontal push by our troops on the Zaghouan plateau and outflanked and threatened with encirclement by our armoured elements, all German and Italian troops fighting between Zaghouan and Saouaf capitulated unconditionally. These troops consisted chiefly of Italian divisions, under General Gili, and a German group under General Pfeiffer. They surrendered to the commander of a French armoured detachment and a Moroccan division respectively. More than 25,000 prisoners have been taken, together with the whole of their equipment and supplies. "Continuing their rapid advance to the east, our armoured and motorised troops made contact with British . troops. The French forces captured Mane Duzit, where they made a junction with the Bth Army. The dismemberment of the Axis forces in North Africa has been completed.” Allied tanks which broke through on Tuesday across the neck of the Cape Bon peninsula turned left along the western road. Cape Bon itself was reached at 2 p.m. by units which covered 40 miles in 18 hours against S'derable opposition. For seven or 'hours they advanced in the dark, enemy held positions astride the hut British infantry, with fixed gets,, swarmed on the tanks as tlfey advanced, firing on the enemy positions. The infantry leaped down inside the defences, bayoneting the enemy and taking prisoners. The 6th Armoured Division, on reaching Hammamct, went straight along the coast towards the Bth Army lines near Bou Ficha, where the Germans had established anti-tank defences. This pocket was then encircled. The advance was swifter than would have been expected, especially by those who know the hilly nature of the ground which the armour and Infantry had to pass through.

The “Daily Mail” qorrespondent says: “Bizerte has ceased to exist. It is as dead as the streets of Pompeii—utterly deserted. There is not one unbombed house. Most of them are so badly smashed that repair is impossible. Bizerte will have to be rebuilt from the foundations. Its population of 20,000 long ago took refuge from the incessant bombings in the country. "Admiral de la Fleche, former commander of the French naval arsenal at Ferryville, whom the Germans released from internment under police supervision, saw about 200 Allied raids. He declared that the most effective were those carried out by Fortresses in daylight. They hit docks and ships with unfailing accuracy. Night raids were not so effective, but prevented the Germans from unloading supply ships after sunset.” The German defeat in Tunisia was in no small way caused by the devastating effect of anti-personnel bombs dropped in woods, vineyards, hay fields, and olive groves, says the Air Ministry News Service, giving the results of an inspection by the officer commanding the Tactical Bomber Force. Grass bushes were found mown flat in huge circles, and the scattered remains of blown-up machine-guns and other equipment proved the successful result ot blast. The Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in North Africa (General Eisenhower) has sent a message of congratulation to General Sir Harold Alexander. He said that words could not express the appreciation he and others feel at the recent brilliant successes in Tunisia. He conveyed his good wishes to General Alexander and his men. General Alexander has sent a message in reply to General Eisenhower. General Eisenhower has also received a message from the Governor of Malta (Field-Marshal Lord Gort). Lord Gort said that for the first time since Italy entered the war the bells of Malta would ring out. in celebration of the Allied victory in Tunisia.