THRUST TOWARD TUNIS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 55, 28 November 1942, Page 7

THRUST TOWARD TUNIS

British Forcing Enemy Back 24 MILES TO GO LONDON, November 27. A communique from the Allied headquarters this morning stated that the British First Army, advancing to the north-east, has driven the enemy from Medjez el Bab, an important road junction about 30 miles south-west of Tunis. The British forces had to overcome stubborn opposition, but fighters provided strong air COVe Morocco radio quoted a special communique from the headquarters stating that fighting is now taking place only 24 miles south-west of Tunis. British forces advancing along the north coast forced the enemy to retire toward Bizerta. In the south 1 unisian battle zone, Allied paratroops attacked an enemy mechanized column and took prisoners. North-west of ,Gabes an Allied force advanced to meet a concentration of German units on the east Tunisian coast. . Morocco radio declared last night that fighting was occurring about 1 0 miles west of Tunis. This js not confirmed elsewhere.

The rapidity of the advance into Tunisia by the First Army is indicated by a correspondent, who says that hr one week the troops have covered 300 miles of difficult country. This speed increases the supply difficulties, but the preparations for an offensive against Bizerta are reaching a peak.

Yesterday morning United States Army planes bombed an. airfield near Tunis and are believed to have destroyed 10 enemy planes. The pilots found the field littered with enemy planes which had been destroyed in previous attacks. Ou Wednesday the Royal Air. Force destroyed at least 12 . Axis planes. Seven of ours are missing. Chain of Airfields.

An earlier message said it was understood that the Anglo-American forces were making, good progress. They were chiefly occupied in securing the belt of airfields which will be very important for the coming air struggle for the Sicilian Narrows. It is estimated that already there are 20,000 Germans in north Tunisia and that 3000 to 4000 more are ready to cross from Sicily. Very fierce fighting is going on in the air. The Allied and Axis air forces are attempting to hamper the consolidation of the armies by attacking concentrations of troops and also communications. British and American planes, despite unfavourable weather, are ceaselessly attacking Bizerta by day and night. Several Junkers 87’s were shot down yesterday by Allied fighters over Bizerta. Aerial photographs show the wrecks of 12 German planes, including, a troopcarrier, on an airfield near Tunis. The Allies are handing over American fighter planes to French pilots, who are expected to give great help to the Allies in the coming campaign. The majority of the .pilots are fi;om the famous Lafayette . Escadrille, which flew to Morocco after the fall of France. A second group left France when the Germans overran the occupied zone. . Bombs On Bases. A Cairo communique says:— “Our heavy bombers on Tuesday night again attacked Tripoli, hitting targets near the Spanish mole. Our torpedo-carrying aircraft on the saine night successfully attacked north of Sicily a large south-bound merchantman which was left stationary and down at the stern. Bizerta was heavily bombed, and bursts were seen on the waterfront and across the quays. Our fighter-bombers yesterday raided Gela airfield, Sicily, hitting buildings. In an attack on enemy shipping off Misurata a direct hit was scored on a merchantman. “There was some air activity near Malta yesterday, but no aircraft succeeded in crossing the coast. “From all operations (including Cyrenaica) two of our planes are missing.”