THE FIRST ARMY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 2, 4 January 1943, Page 5

THE FIRST ARMY

POLICY OF CAUTION

A DASH THAT FAILED

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, January 2. An attempt by advanced units of the First Army to race far ahead of the main force and grab Tunis and Bizerta before the enemy were-'able to organise the defences did not come off says the "Daily Express" military correspondent. General Nehring organised a mobile armoured force and, backed by dive-bombers, which, though not numerous, were practically unopposed, was able*to force our men to abandon the attempt. We could not bring up weapons to combat the enemy tanks and stukas, and had no air cover. It is apparent since then that caution has been the watchword. It is evident that we are not attempting to attack till we are overwhelmingly strong. Bad weather has dogged Gene-i-al Anderson. The indifferent roads have been too slippery in the forward areas to bear heavy equipment, and newly-built airfields have been waterlogged for weeks, grounding the fighters. In addition, the enemy in the last few weeks has been able to augment his forces considerably, and they may now number between 40,000 and 50,000. The correspondent says that Nehring might attempt to drive us back to the Algerian frontier before we are able to complete our preparations. Much depends on the speed with which General Montgomery can catch up and again close with Rommel, but he is operating 400 miles from the nearest port of Benghazi, with great supply problems. , It is announced in London that British units now fighting in Tunisia include the Coldstream* and Grenadier Guards, the Northamptonshire Regiment, and the Lancashire Fusiliers. The East Surreys and Hampshires have already been- mentioned as taking part in the fighting. LONDON, January 3. Today's Cairo communique says: "Yesterday, there was nothing to report from our troops in contact with the Inemy between'Wadi Bei el Kebii and Buerat." , Increased air activity over the battle area was reported in the communique, Palermo was bombed and fires were started in the harbour area on Friday night. The aerodrome in Heraclion, in Crete, was the target for a large force of Allied bombers. From all operations three of our aircraft are missing.