FALL IMMINENT

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 18, 22 January 1943, Page 5

FALL IMMINENT

The Threat To Tripoli

LONDON, January 21. Cairo correspondents are saying tonight that unless there is some unexpected check the fall of Tripoli is imminent. The Eighth Army has already passed Horns, 65 miles from Tripolralong the coast road and Tarhuna, 45 miles from the capital by the inland route. These two places fell yesterday, and our forces were then in close touch with the Afrika Korps, retreating still further to the west. 1 A correspondent says there is a general feeling ,<f optimism today. The Eighth Army is meeting f^ith very little resistance. h The capture of Tripoli, the jewel of Mussolini's empire, fwould give General Montgomery the use of a major port and 'air base, within 200 miles of the Tunisian port of Sfax and Gabes and only 320 miles from the Axis supply Mie from Sicily. The port however, is not likely to be m very good shape, as it has been a constant target for Allied heavy bombers. It was raided again on Tuesday night, and American Liberators made two more daylight attacks yesterday, starting fires and proWbly hitting a merchantman.