IF ENEMY JOIN UP

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

IF ENEMY JOIN UP

A DIFFICULT PROSPECT

(Rec. 10 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 21. An effective union of Rommel's Afrika Kbrps with the German forces in eastern Tunisia will present the Allied commanders with the most difficult tactical situation, they have yet faced in North Africa, says the "Standard's", correspondent at Allied headquarters. It is unlikely that the Allies will be able to launch anything more than limited attacks to prevent the union. Such attacks will hamper, but not prevent, a junction of the two armies, and their formation into a formidable force estimated at 160,000 at least, operating on supply lines considerably shorter than ours. If this force could hold the bridgehead in Tunisia until the end of the summer our use of North Africa as a base for operations against the European coastline would be impossible. There is every reason to believe the Germans will attempt to make such a stand, and even-launch strong local offensives through Mateur and Medjez el Bab. Nobody here is optimistic over the Allies' chance of preventing the armies