Late News APPROACH-WIDE OPEN

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 190, 8 May 1943, Page 5

Late News APPROACH - WIDE OPEN

Bizerta And Tunis ONLY TEMPORARY STAND LIKELY (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Received May 8, 1.35 a.m) LONDON, May 7. Reuter’s military correspondent says: “Now that the outer line of von Arnim’s defences are open there are no second and no third lines upon which tlie enemy can retire. At best (ho enemy may find temporary shelter within tlie perimeter of Bizerta or behind a line covering the Cape Bon Peninsula, but Tunis is now as exposed as an oyster whose shell has been cracked. “The relative lull a few days ago was evidently employed by the Allies to rush up supplies and reinforcements for a final blow.” , . Berlin radio states: “Our forces, m order to shorten the defence line, have transferred the fighting to the advanced defensive positions of Bizerta, while the Americans and French are -pushing toward Ferryville.”

DEEP ADVANCE BX TANKS’

Prisoners And Booty For Allies LONDON, May 7. Today’s communique from the Allied headquarters in North Africa states that th* First Army has continued to make good progress in. its offensive and is. holding all gains. British tanks have made a considerable advance toward Tunis. The captures of men and material in this sector are considerable. i The United States Second Corps has captured four important features, and more than 000 prisoners have been taken on this front. Twenty enemy aircraft were shot down during the day. Our aircraft were also active against enemy shipping,' and a destroyer and 11 small ships were sunk. Ten of our aircraft are missing from.all operations., A 8.8. C. correspondent says that we are now 12 miles from Tunis and within 10 miles of Bizerta. Only four enemy planes have been seen on the First Army front since the beginning of this offensive, which shows the straights to which the enemy has been reduced. It is disclosed that before the offensive was launched General Alexander issued an order of tlie day tothe Allied troops wiiich stated: “We have got tlie enemy where we want them—with their backs to the sea. Drive them into it I” v