GAFSA IN DANGER

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 39, 16 February 1943, Page 5

GAFSA IN DANGER

MAY BE EVACUATED

(Rec. 10.45 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 15. After the strong attack against the Allied positions in central Tunisia, Beuter's correspondent at Allied headquarters says, the situation is under control. It was a major battle. The Germans launched two attacks, one against the Sidi Bouseid road, the other north from Faid.

Rommel's panzers, serving as a spearhead, attacked at 7 a.m. yesterday moving westwards from the Faid Pass. The German attack aimed either at enlarging th 6 southern end of the German communication corridor or staging a major battle in the southern Tunisian area. Great numbers of infantry behind tanks, with he.avy support from dive-bombers, moved along the roads towards Sbeitla and by _ 9 a.m reached the junction of the Sidi Bouseid road. Other tanks and infantry headed towards Sbeitla on a high ridge northwards. The Germans simultaneously launched another attack from a hill north of Sened crossing the Faid-Gafsa road and heading north-westwards. This attack threatens to isolate Gafsa. AMERICAN AREA.

American armoured forces and units of the combat command hold the whole area under attack. German pressure forced them back to Sbeitla, but according to reports last evening they had the situation well under control. The Algiers correspondent of the British United Press reports that an Axis column advancing west of the Faid Pass had moved up 18 miles by 6 p.m. yesterday, threatening the important American position at Sbeitla. The other Axis column had also advanced about 18 miles. An American unit stationed at Sidi Bouseid, between the two columns, counter-attacked, suffered losses, and withdrew westwards to avoid encirclement. ARTILLERY OVERWHELMED. The Associated Press correspondent says that about 50 German tanks overwhelmed the American artillery positions guarding the west exit of Faid Pass then branched off north-west-wards and south-westwards. The (American anchor positions at Gafsa are obviously in danger of being cut off and it is assumed Gafsa might be evacuated. The Americans at Sidi Bouseid suffered heavily.

American light bombers, from dawn until dusk, heavily strafed the troop concentrations, gun positions, and motor convoys in an attempt to weaken the enemy thrust. However, the stukas played an important role in Rommel's initial success, hitting the American ground forces hard.

Bei'lin radio states that the Germans have occupied Sidi Bouseid and captured 21 tanks.