GREAT AIR ATTACK

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 20, 25 January 1943, Page 5

GREAT AIR ATTACK

READY FOR TUNISIA

LONDON, January 24. The aeronautical correspondent of the "Daily Herald" says: "It will be only a matter of days before the Eighth Army's air force—probably the largest, strongest, and most experienced air unit outside Russia—will be able to concentrate on Tunisia. Already Rommel's retreating columns are being subjected to a non-stop air attack. Practically the entire coastline west of Tripoli is admirably suited for landing grounds from* which even four-engined bombers can operate. Twin-engined bombers and fighters, flying from any airfield in this stretch, can easily strafe Tunis, 300 air miles north-west of Tripoli. "Bombs and bullets will follow Rommel right into Tunisia, and after that perhaps the greatest combined air offensive that has ever been launched will begin on the Axis armies in Tunisia. There is reason to believe that the Allied air forces in Tunisia have conserved their strength for that precise moment." As Rommel's remnants stream over from Tripolitania into southern Tunisia, they are coming more and more within range of Tunisian-based aircraft, and yesterday Allied pilots took full advantage of these fine approaching targets. An enemy fighter which tried to take a hand in things was shot down.; A correspondent describes how, while Rommel's forces streamed across the border into Tunisia yesterday, the full force of the Allied fighterbombers was launched at them. Transport was bombed and machine-gunned throughout the day. Twenty vehicles were destroyed when bombs hit a petrol tank, and five German staff cars which attempted to pass them were riddled with bullets. Many direct hits were scored on vessels in Zuara harbour; also a vessel off Gabes. Tunisia, was left ablaze, and a merchant vessel near Sfax was attacked with machine-guns and cannon. Fighter-bombers raided Lampedusa Island, and. long-range fighters set fire to a small ship.