ROMMEL'S NEXT MOVE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 22, 27 January 1943, Page 5

ROMMEL'S NEXT MOVE

Delaying Action at Mareth

(Rec. 10 a.m.) RUGBY, January 26. The prospect- of Rommel fighting another delaying action at the Mareth line, is being discussed in London. It is doubted whether he co.uld make a more determined bid there than he did at Agheila or the Wadi Zemzem, for it seems unlikely that Yon Arnim, against whom the whole Anglo-American armies are piling up, can give him any reinforcement. If he is unable to do more than fight a delaying action on this favourable positioii it seems unlikely that he can defend south-east Tunisia at all, or do more than attempt to join Yon Arnim in Tunis and wait for a formidable Allied assault from the west and south. It is with this grim prospect before them that the German commanders will be watching the fate of their colleagues at Stalingrad.—B.O.W.

LONDON, January 25. While British troops are still advancing westward, Field-Marshal Rommel's main troops have probably already reached the Mareth Line area round Ben Gardane and covering positions round Medenin, states a Cairo correspondent. Rommel has left behind only a strong rearguard to hinder the advance of the British, who are in constant contact, while we are also advancing inland. Though Rommel will probably attempt to reinforce the positions he has reached, he will need to rest his men after his 1600 miles retreat. , In the words of a 8.8.C. correspondent, the occupation of Tripoli was a very proud thing to see. When General Montgomery received the keys of the city from the Mayor, he assured him that the Eighth Army's main concern was for civilian life to continue. "My war is against the German and Italian armies," he said. "I have nothing but praise for the men of the Eighth Army," the general added. "They have done what I ex--pect'ed."

A Middle East communique states: Yesterday .local advances were made by our forward troops in the northern sector. We occupied Zavia, on the coast, 30 miles west of Tripoli. Allied fighter-bombers continued the offensive against the retreating enemy near Zuara, where a vessel in harbour was hit. A landing ground was also successfully attacked. Our bombers hit the same targets on Sunday night. Yesterday enemy supply lines in Sicily an_3 Tunisia were bombed and machinegunned. All our aircraft returned.— 8.0. W. (Rec. 10 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 28. .General Montgomery. is planning a pincer movement against Rommel s forces, according to Berlin radio. "A large number of men and strong tank formations are concentrating along the coastal road leading to the Tunisian border. Obviously General Montgomery is again attempting to encircle the Germans." It was also stated that a force of British tanks was seen, to the southward. The German High Command has disclosed that Rommel s army is divided into two'sections, one of infantry and tanks proceeding along the coastal road, the other, only of tanks, driving into South Tunisia.