SIEGE FORTIFICATIONS

Evening Star, Issue 24482, 17 April 1943, Page 5

SIEGE FORTIFICATIONS

AXIS HOLDS STRONG NATURAL POSITIONS WASHINGTON, April 15. In his weekly war review the United States Seoretary of War, Mr H. L. Stimson, said that the American troops had played ah important part in the major victory in Tunisia. He explained that the Americans did not drive through to the coast to intercept Rommel's forces, because they were under strict orders not to advance beyond a certain .designated line in the hills. In the master plan the major task was assigned to the Eighth Army, while the Americans in central Tunnisia, the French forces in Ousseltia Valley, and the British First Army in the north wero allotted holding operatibns. General Patton's thrust forced Rommel to divert so much armour to protect his flank that the breaking of the Mareth Line by the Eighth Army was greatly facilitated. Mr Stimson estimated the Axis armies in Tunisia at 175.0(H) to 200,000. He said: "There is no indication that the enemy plans a major evacuation of- this force. The Axis occupies a naturally strong position, with an indication that siege fortifi-

cations are defending key points. The enemy has two good harbours and a number of airfields. It is possible,however, that the enemy might attempt to extricate the bulk of the troops over a period of several weeks. " On the other hand the Axis leaders may have determined to delay a general offensive against Germany by holding Tunisia as long as possible, inflicting heavy loses on the Allies, even if it should mean losing most of the Axis forces in North Africa, where the Allies are numerically stronger and possess clear mastery of the air."