CENTRAL TUNISIA

Evening Star, Issue 24409, 22 January 1943, Page 3

CENTRAL TUNISIA

axis attacking french positsohs BATTLE STILL IN THE BALANCE LONDON, January 21. In Central Tunisia the enemy forces are still attacking the French positions. Correspondents say that the battle is still in the balance,,and they point out that apparently this action is part of a plan to clear the way for Rommel's forces. Another message states that with the Eighth Army Hearing Tripoli; and with apparently no check to General Montgomery's swift pursuit of Field-Marshal Rommel's scurrying forces, war correspondents and observers are coming to the conclusion that tlie Africa Corps intends to augment the Axis forces in Tunisia for an all-out stand to retain a toehold in Africa. Allied air and artillery action over the Pont du Fahs-Bourarada road covering the French retreat limited the German movement to a single southwestern drive, says a military spokesman in Algiers, commenting on the Axis penetration to the south-west _ of Pont du Fahs. The Axis suffered sizeable losses in equipment and tanks out of all proportion to the value of the attack. The Algiers correspondent of the British United Press says: "In order to counter the German tank column's seven-mile thrust, the • British forces to-night are trying to gain control of the hills to the east of the road running south .from Pont du Fahs to bring it under artillery fire. The British hold positions which already dominate the road running to the west from Pont du Fahs, and the German tank column is meeting heavy . artillery resistance. The French army is offering rewards for the capture of saboteurs, which the Germans are / dropping by parachute." The Algiers correspondent of the Associated Press says the Axis is doing its utmost to perfect the defences of the present lines, and is arming every promising summit with guns, which have already several times forced the Allies to give up objectives.

It is officially confirmed that a tank expert. General von Arnim, has succeeded General Nehring.