INITIATIVE IN TUNISIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 March 1943, Page 6

INITIATIVE IN TUNISIA

HELD FIRMLY BY ALLIES FIGHTING IN THE NORTH LONDON, March 4. In Tunisia the Allies now firmly hold the initiative. Latest dispatches speak of the Ist Army as inflicting new pressure on the enemy. Heavy guns have caused considerable damage on the northern sector, north of Beja. The enemy made several small counter-attacks, but they were beaten off.

A 8.8. C. correspondent states that the Allies’ latest moves indicate the end of the latest German offensives in the northern sector. The action cost the enemy heavy casualties in both tanks and men. Reports from Tunisia indicate the Germans are attempting to drive the British from positions in the North before the Eighth Army attacks. The British threat to the Mejez pivot is not past, and further enemy efforts to dislodge the First Army and also prevent the dispatch of more troops in Central Tunisia may be expected, to support the Allied counter thrust A good deal of ground has been regained all along the front between Sbeitla and the Salt Lakes, and the Allies’ impetus is not yet exhausted. ENEMY GAIN GROUND RUGBY, March 4. A North African communique states: In northern Tunisia fighting continued in the area of Sedjanans, where the enemy gained some ground at the expense of very severe casualties. Attacks in other areas were successfully repulsed. Enemy infantry advancing east of the Mareth area were successfully engaged and repulsed by light armoured forces. The enemy reinforced the infantry with tanks in this area. Our bombers attacked the airfield at Tunis and made raids on enemy landing grounds at Gabes area. Hits were seen on all targets, particularly among grounded aircraft. In the northern sector, medium bombers attacked the enemy ground targets. Our fighters were active throughout the day in this area and destroyed a number of enemy vehicles. In the southern sector, fighters and fighter bombers were active attacking road transport and other targets. Three enemy aircraft were destroyed in combat. Three of ours are missing.

AERIAL ATTACKS

RUGBY, March 4. R.A.F. Headquarters at Malta states: Yesterday, fighters destroyed a Junkers 88 over the sea. Reconnaissance aircraft destroyed a Junkers 52.

Last night R.A.F. torpedo bombers attacked a convoy in the Central Mediterranean, and caused a fire in a large supply ship. A Middle East Air communique states: A Junkers 88 was damaged by fighters during a daylight attack on Tripoli on March 2. During daylight yesterday United States heavy bombers attacked Messina. All returned safely. Flying Fortresses have carried out successful raids on Tunis. Six Axis aircraft were destroyed for the loss of one Allied machine. CHAMBERS 7 ”' EXPLOIT LONDON, March 4. Allied Headquarters in North Africa described the feat of Pilot Officer Chambers, of Opotiki, who was awarded the D.F.C., as unique. Chambers sighted five Savoias attacking a convoy. He said: “They were flying in line astern, 200 yards between each. I came up behind the last one and shot him to bits. I turned to get in position again, and as I was turning, the second Savoia fired and hit my wing tip, but I got my own back and saw him crash into the sea. Numbers three and four were still flying at sea level, so I came up behind them and picked them off one after the other.”

U.S.A. TROOPS’ ERRORS.

WASHINGTON, March 3

General McNair, Commander of the Army Ground Forces, disclosed that inexperienced American troops committed the same errors in Tunisia as they made in practice manoeuvres in the United States. However, lessons had been learned that now were being used in an effort to train a more nearly mistake-proof army. General McNair said it was noted that the Americans failed to dig foxholes promptly. They were deficient in camouflage, and did not take full advantage of existing cover. Their truck columns sometimes operated in daylight, instead of at night time. He highly praised the leadership of the commanders and the braver} 7 of officers. FRENCH OFFICIALS. LONDON, March 3. The Exchange Telegraph Agency’s Algiers correspondent says: Colonel Herviot, a strong supporter of Marshal Petain’s policy of collaboration has been relieved of his post as Director of the Public Security Service in Morocco. Colonel Taillardat, formerly commander of Moroccan Gendarmie, replaces Colonel Herviot. It is reported that General Boissau, French Commander at Oran, who resisted the Allied landing there, has been relieved of his post and he is being sent to the Tunisian front. Other reports say that the Police i Chief at Casablanca has also been replaced.

AXIS SHIPPING LOSSES BRITISH SUBS.’ ACHIEVEMENTS. RUGBY, March 4. The Admiralty announces: “One of His Majesty’s submarines reports that when she surfaced in the Gulf of Genoa, near the Italian coast, she opened fire on a shipbuilding yard and scored several hits on two vessels on the stocks. Another submarine, operating close inshore, shelled a train on a bridge. In addition to these two successful actions, a submarine operating against Axis supply lines in the Mediterranean destroyed seven more enemy vessels. These included a large supply ship and a ship of medium size, two more supply ships, a mine sweeper, and two tugs. Sub-

marines also damaged nine other enemy vessels among which were a large tanker and a large supply ship. Off the Italian Riviera, a submarine scored two torpedo hits on a large supply ship, which later ran ashore and became a total loss. In the same area, a large tanker escorted by an armed yacht, was torpedoed. Coun-ter-measures by the enemy made it

impossible to observe the full result of this attack. The same submarine also sank two tugs by gunfire. Off Southern Italy, a submarine torpedoed and. sank a small supply ship, being towed by a tug. During a gun action, another submarine was engaged by Italian shore batteries without effect. The submarine scored many hits in the target area. Later, the submarine engaged a minesweeper, shelling her until she sank. The submarine also scored hits.on a small naval auxiliary, vessel. In the same area a submarine scored a torpedo hit on a large supply ship which formed part of the convoy escorted by two destroyers.. In the gulf of' Hammamet, Tunisia, a supply ship of medium size and a small supply ship were sunk.”