FIGHT NEAR MARETH LINE CONTINUES

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 139, 9 March 1943, Page 5

FIGHT NEAR MARETH LINE CONTINUES

Enemy Losses Mounting ROMMEL’S HARD-HITTING STRATEGY OF DELAY

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.)

LONDON, March 8.

Overnight reports state that fighting was still going on in front of the Mareth Line. Field-Marshal Rommel was yesterday believed to be regrouping his forces. Since the destruction of 2 1 lof the Axis tanks on Saturday our anti-tank guns and fighteribombers have accounted for a good many more. The British losses are officially reported to have been light. It is disclosed that warning of Rommel’s attack had been given iby patrols of the Eighth Army which pushed right up to the enemy 'lines, close enough to hear troops inside the defences talking and singing and even snoring.

“Field-Marshal Rommel is disdaining territorial gains, and he is seeking only to keep the Allies on the defensive, knowing that once he is beaten a great Continental offensive can be Amounted,” says the “New York Times” correspondent in North Africa. “The most dangerous phase of the German delaying action has opened with Rommel’s attack against the Eighth Army just when General Montgomery was preparing for the offensive. It is estimated that at least 300 Axisitanks and the cream of the German artillery and infantry have been rushed southward to win time for strengthening the Axis fortifications in southern Europe. If Rommel this time succeeds, the Allied plans for a general attack must be postponed for at least six weeks. Even (the most pessimistic Allied observers realize that Rommel’s situation is imi possible and that he will be driven 'from Africa sooner or later, but right now it seems later. Recent Allied Losses.

“When Rommel’s attempt to cross the Kasserine Pass failed he was able to withdraw with losses which are believed to have been trifling compared with those of the Allies. Indeed, Rommel had captured more tanks than he lost. Conse.quently, the Allied forces on the central front were temporarily exhausted and useless for offensive purposes. After this, JRommel flung the 10th Armoured Division and at least 13 infantry divisions in the north against the British positions, (inflicting very severe casualties and forcing us to shelve, at least temporarily, all ideas of attack in that area.” The correspondent considers that General Montgomery will check Rommel, but he doubts if the Eighth Army will be able to launch an immediate counteroffensive. Probably Rommel, after breaking off his action with Montgomery, will withdraw northward for another crack at the First Army, he says.