The Evening Star FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 1943. AXIS RETREAT FROM TRIPOLI.

Evening Star, Issue 24409, 22 January 1943, Page 2

The Evening Star FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 1943. AXIS RETREAT FROM TRIPOLI.

Alihou'uh definite news of the. fall of Tripoli has not been received at the moment of writing, the more recent messages, telling their story of Axis columns fleeing along the roadway between there and -Zmira. some 50- miles nearer the border of Tripolitania and Tunisia, leave little room for doubt that Rommel's marathon run is intended to take him to positions held by Nehring's successor, von Arniin. Neither side will attach undue importance to possession of Tripoli itself, despite its value as a base and the prestige that goes with it as a natural accompaniment to occupation. Events in North Africa are moving so rapidly towards a climax, with Tunisia as the main scene of action, that.in a matter perhaps less, Tripoli, except for air activity in the neighbourhood, may not appear in the news more often than, say, Benghazi. General Montgomery's plan is to destroy as much of Rommel's army as he can before ut is transformed into a useful reinforcement for the already strong forces under von Arnim. To this end R.A.F. airmen are continually engaged in smiting the enemy transport columns as they retreat along the road to the frontier and laying down a bomb barrage that should soften for the advancing Allied infantry and armoured spearhead any positions where the Axis troops choose to make a stand or light a delaying action. Once again we read that, the New Zealanders are well up with the battle. In the striking power and speed of movement whioh have earned .them Montgomery's confidence the Dominion may well take pride. Jt is obvious, however, that a stern tussle lies ahead in Tunisia. Through no fault of its own, the First Army just" failed in its first dash from Algeria to overrun the. high country that would have placed it in a commanding position for the final assault on Tunis and (Bizerta. Meanwhile unusually heavy rain hampered the armoured mobility so neeassary to the quick success of the campaign, and the Axis strategists ■were able to rush strong reinforcements across the Sicilian Channel _in accordance with Hitler's determination to cling at all costs to this North African foothold. The German infantrymen, armoured troops, and airmen are reported to be among the best their country can put in the field, the grave demands of the Russian' campaign notwithstanding. Apart from the abnormal rainfall, various factors, including the extreme length of the Allied lines of communication and the inability to supplv adequate equipment to the Fighting French before they . found themselves in close contact with the enemv, have postponed the day when, it is "hoped, a "Dunkirk" will be i'.wced upon the Germans. Reasoned optimism suggests, however. _ that an ending triumpliaut for the-Allies is certain. Preponderating British and American air strength is being bnilt up in Tunisia, and it may be taken for granted that no attempt at an overwhelming offensive will be made until artillery, is in position to repeat the success of previous barrages in North Africa. For the ready manipulation of both guns and tanks favourable ground conditions, from all accounts not yet available, are scarcely less than essential.