HARD FIGHTING

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 60, 4 December 1942, Page 5

HARD FIGHTING

North Tunisian Front Bth ARMY MAY WIN RACE , (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received December 3, I 1.20 p.m.) LONDON, December 2. British and American troops have smashed a violent counterattack against their flank north of Tebourba, say correspondents at the Allied headquarters. Concentrated fire from all arms, supported by fighters and light bombers, met the German tanks and infantry, which lost heavily in men and material before they were pushed back. The correspondents also report fierce fighting round Jedeida and Mateur at the Allied wedge between Tunis and Bizerta. One correspondent states that the (battle in this sector, where the bulk of the Axis forces are concentrated, is believed to be entering the final phase, and the Allies are battering their way slowly toward the Bizerta-Tunis highway.

The Allied air superiority is making itself felt, and Lockheed Lightnings and Spitfires in the last 24 hours have shot down eight German planes for the loss of one. The Lightnings knocked out several tanks in the Jedeida area yesterday. Heavy and practically continuous air attacks are being kept up on Bizerta and Tunis, and Flying Fortresses have left the El Ouina aerodrome practically wrecked. Reuter’s correspondent with the First Army says that “Christmas ■ at Tripoli” is now a stock phrase among the British troops, but authoritative military quarters are much more cautious. They concede that British troops may be in Tripoli by Christmas, but they are more likely to be from the Eighth Army tlian the First.

The Allied headquarters in North Africa states: “The Allied forces in the Tebourba area repulsed an enemy counter-attack. Bombing attacks on the airfields at Tunis and Bizerta continued, and light bombers and fighters have been supporting our forward troops. Seven enemy aircraft have been destroyed and five of ours are missing. -The Royal Navy is as-, sisting in the provision of cover for the advance of our forces.”