THE NEW OUTLOOK

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 19, 23 January 1943, Page 5

THE NEW OUTLOOK

MARETH LINE AND OTHER FEATURES

(Rec. 10 a.m.) RUGBY, Jan. 22. Commenting on Rommel's retreat, "The Times" writes: — "It has long appeared probable that 1 the enemy is making for southern Tunisia, imposing as much delay upon the Eighth Army as he safely could without risking a major engagement. Of late, perhaps the need to get to his battle station loomed larger in the estimation of Rommel than his aim of hampering General Montgomery. The Mareth Line is thus brought back into the picture after a long period of oblivion. It was originally a respectable fortification, eighty miles west of the Libyan frontier, blocking the plain through which the coast road runs. Its right flank lay upon wooden heights, along which it probably extended in skeleton form, but the zone was demilitarised in 1940 and the for* tifications were to be dismantled. [Exactly what resulted is not known, lin any case the line was not built to withstand the weight of metal Montgomery can bring against it. A strong defence exists in the neighbourhood of~Gabes, and whether or not Rommel hopes to keep that port open, it seems highly desirable from the point of view of the Axis that he should try to keep Sfax and Susa in use. "Rommel is already being supplied through Tunisian ports. If he falls back upon them the whole Axis force in North Africa will be concentrated for defence on two fronts, and. if strong enough, to strike out in either direction. On the other hand Tripoli will have passed to the Eighth Army, which is moving heavier forces towards the scene of action than those at the disposal of the United Nations in Tunisia.- The organisation of its communications has been so masterly th«t ther° is likely to be no very long rfelav before it is in a position to exert itq full weight. Then, having driven th* Italians out of North Africa, it wi)' be ready to ol^v it* part in a "urthar c",- no^i"r.."—B.O.W-^

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