ADVANCES IN TUNISIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 April 1943, Page 5

ADVANCES IN TUNISIA

EIGHTH ARMY’S PROGRESS CAPTURES IN~ THE NORTH AERIAL ACTIVITIES WIDESPREAD

LONDON, April 1

Vanguards of the Bth Army are in contact with enemy covering forces which occupy hurriedly-prepared defence positions beyond Oudref, according to the latest messages from Tunisia. The Bth Army is now in open country. Great havoc has been caused among German tanks and heavy transport by Allied “tankbusting” aircraft. The American forces closing in from El Guetar have been hampered by enemy minefields. They were last reported between 40 and 50 miles from the Bth Army. Further south some mopping up has still to be done east of the Shott el Jerid, where French forces are active. In northern Tunisia the British Ist Army has moved up a little from Sedjenane. To-day’s North African communique says: “In the southern sector our patrols pushed forward and gained contact with prepared enemy positions north of Oudref. In the Gafsa sector the Allied forces continued their attacks and made progress. Our armour was engaged, and the advance was hindered by minefields. In the north the British forces have now advanced beyond Sedjenane and are making good progress. They have captured much material.' Reporting extensive air operations, the communique says: “Yesterday a force of nearly 100 heavy bombers attacked the harbour of Cagliari, in Sardinia, and enemy airfields in Sardinia. Several ships were hit in the harbour, and many enemy aircraft were hit on the ground. Fourteen enemy fighters were shot down by our fighters. Other aircraft attacked an enemy convoy, sinking one ship. In Tunisia air attacks were made on Tuesday night on communications behind the enemy's lines, and on an airfield near Sfax. In the central sector light bombers and lighterbombers attacked enemy troops and vehicles. Fighters were active in all parts of the front'during the day, destroying many vehicles. In the day’s operations 21 Axis aircraft were destroyed and the Allies lost 12.”

PRESSURE MAINTAINED

RUGBY, April 1

North African despatches indicate that the enemy is likely to fight a rearguard action on Wadi El Akar it, eight miles north and north-west of Oudref. Here, the defenders have one flank resting on the sea, and the other on the western end of Shott El Fejai. They also have the advantage of occupying the hills north-west of Oudref, which rise eight hundred feet, overlooking the plain to the south and south-east. French troops operating north and south of Shott El Jerid cleared the road running north across Shott from Kebili. Those advancing through Tozeur and Metlaoui, last month, compelled the Italian garrison to evacuate Kebili Cross Shott. and meanwhile fight hard to keep open the road. Finally, the camel troops coming north from Douz, entered Kebili two days ago, driving out the Italian rearguard. In South Tunisia, yesterday, light bombers attacked Mezzouna, where at one time fifty fires were burning -in one mile of road. The desert airforce light bombers, which up to now have been sharing the task of the troops on the battlefield, returned to the old job yesterday, when they attacked the aerodrome at El Maori near Sfax, and left several fires, including ifive enemy aircraft ablaze.

SFAX EVACUATED?

LONDON, April 1. The First Army is pushing eastwards after occupying Sedjenane, only 20 miles from Mateur. Positions the' Germans won after considerable cost arc being re-occupied one after another, almost without lighting. Protected by a screen of rearguards and cunningly-laid minefields, Rommel is still retreating fast, according to the latest news, which suggests that he has given up the idea of making a stand at Sfax. The Algiers radio says that the Germans had not time to blow up dumps and installations, but they have already begun to destroy tnose at Sfax. _ , The Morocco radio says that Axis troops set on fire a number of ships in Sfax harbour. Rommel also ordered the destruction of military buildings. The radio continues: rhe Eighth Army is rapidly advancing along the coast, forcing the Airika Korps to fight violent rearguard actions to protect the retreat, which is considerably hampered by the destruction and immobilisation 01. many vehicles. It is considered that the Afrika Korps has only enough vehicles to transport 40,000 nien while it is known that Rommel had concentrated 30,000 on the Mareth positions, with 00,000 to guard the flank.” . , x] J The Paris radio said that the possibility of an Allied landing at Sfax in the near future cannot be ruled out, but the Axis General Staff has foreseen it for some time and taken the necessary measures.

DECISIVE BATTLE SOON

( Rcc . 12.20 P- m .) LONDONi Apnl ,

The Eighth Army are drawn up six miles north of Oudref before Rommel’s latest defences m the Gabes Gao where it is believed they confront the bulk of the fcrce which originally garrisoned the ivlarein Line. The British are preparing for what may prove to be the. final battle of the Gabes Gap. They are prodding the German defences,, winch have been hurriedly constructed. Algiers radio said the retreat of the Afrika Korps between Gabes and Sfax is being carried out under murderous conditions. Allied air units are most powerfully supporting tne ground troops. Despatches from many correspondents emphasise the terrific sustained aerial assault which is causing havoc among Rommel’s tanks and transports. The wedge separating the American Filth Army advancing along the El Guettar road from Eighth Army is narrowing, although the American armoured advance is being delayed by mines, behind which the Axis rearguards are withdrawing. . x j 4.1 x a biMorocco radio reported that Axib units north of Shotteljend, in the Diebel Asker area, have been cut oft. ‘The British First Army is exploiting its success in the northern coastal belt and is now seven miles eastward of Sedjehane, striking via the main road towards Mateur after captuiing 800 prisoners.

ATTACK RENEWED

(Recd. 1.50 p.m.) LONDON, April 1. General Montgomery has strongly attacked Rommel’s new position along the Wadi Akarit, 17 miles north -of Gabes, says the “Telegraph s corespondent at Allied Headquarters. The Berlin radio stated that the onslaught began yesterday when tanks at one point broke through to the German rear, but the breach was sealed off.

WITH THE AMERICANS. RUGBY, April 1. News of the armoured attacks launched on Tuesday by the Americans along the Gafsa Gabes Road, is told by a correspondent with the Allied Forces at Gafsa. He says: The Americans deployed through El Guettar Valley, despite extensive enemy minefields. A large number of Sherman tanks took part. They followed the infantry who had succeeded in capturing the heights commanding the valley. When the Shermans dosed in for attack, they were met by a heavy concentrated fire from many eighty-eight millimetre anti-tank guns concealed in the foothills at the end of the valley, but the tanks reached the important junction road from Kebili before darkness. Late on Tuesday evening, the enemy was reported bringing tanks from Arbour, further east, to meet this new thrust at his flank. The correspondent gives a detailed description of the ensuing tank battles on the floor of the valley, m which he saw only one American tank hit, and eventually the Shermans moved forward again. During this advance, enemy aircraft made a few appearances over the valley, but were ineffectual. Allied aircraft on Ihe contrary, were extremely busy, bombing and strafing columns of enemy tanks and lorries moving through the hills and valleys, both north and south of this important road junction.

FIRST ARMY’S SUCCESS

(Recd. 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 1. A Reuter’s correspondent with the First Army says: The Germans’ withdrawal was so hasty they abandoned quantities of equipment and ammunition. The British found the telephone lines “alive” at one battalion headquarters, also many undestroyed documents. Other First Army troops are advancing more slowly, via scrubby hills north-east of Sedjenane, but the German resistance is slight. A French communique announces various advances, including the occupation of Kebili, while vanguards are within some miles of Pichon. Moroccan troops, co-operating with the British, further advanced north of Sedjenane. The Berlin radio mentions the appearance of Canadians in the North African fighting, declaring that a fresh Canadian mountain bactahon was unable to improve the situation. Wholesale captures of Italians arc reported. Reuter’s correspondent with the First Army says that so many shell-drunk Italians surrendered, when the British artillery plastered Sedjenane, that the French sent an urgent message to the gunners to cease fire. The British fired over 8,000 shells in an hour against Sedjenane, which was an important factor in the fall of the position. The capture Oi Sedjenane came as a climax to no fewer than eight bayonet charges by men of an English county regiment, whose Commanding Officer led the last charge. The British United Press describes how two British orderlies captured an Italian company at Sedenane. They were conducting 12 Italians to the British lines when a column of Italians appeared, momentarily nonplussing the lonely Britons, until an Italian officer raised the white flag, and the column fell in behind the other prisoners. The Associated Press correspondent with the Fifth Army says the Axis, in an effort to stave off an eclipse, are bringing fresh troops by air to Tunisia. This was disclosed alter the capture of several hundred Italians by the American push along the Gabes road from El Guettar, bringing them within 40 miles of tne Eighth Army. Some prisoners, including engineers and a. colonel, had been in Tunisia only ten days. Ibis American thrust forms the claw ol the Allied pincers enclosing the vast pocket containing Axis rearguards, which fought desperately. Nevertheless, American tanks yesterday afternoon, despite heavy bombardment from German eightyeights, smashed a way past the Kebili-Gabes road junction, the possession of which solidified American control oi. tne area.■

GREAT DAY FOR AIRMEN

SARDINIAN PORT LOSSES

RUGBY, April L _ Yesterday was really a great day for the Allied Air Forces, says a correspondent in North Africa. 1 the course of the day, no fewer than 31 enemy aircraft were destroyed wthe loss of twelve of ours. Ihe Au Forces again collaborated unceasing, ly with the Armies, bombing ana strafing enemy troops, destroying vehicles. harassing, retreating tanas vehicles, and making the way lor inc Eighth Army’s advance north of Oudref. The Germans ’’“•‘.''T hastily organised a line ol lorufied positions with which our forces are in contact. Rommel evidently intends to slow up as much as possmie the advance from the south to coordinate his movement with cne defensive operations further nortn ana make an effective junction with tne forces defending his western Hann. This would enable him to preserve an important force with which to reacn the Bizerta-Tunis bridgenead. In the Sedjenane area wo maae good progress since the capture m the village on Tuesday. Fighting was fierce, and one battaiion ot inlanlry made eight bayonet charges, tne ia:u of which was led by the commanding officer. Nearly a hundred Flying fortresses, 'the largest force of the great American heavy bombers ever engaged in a single mission in any theatre of the war, struck a devastating blow at Sardinia yesterday. They

were escorted by Lightnings, and although this was ths largest raid ol the entire North African campaign, j all our planes, including the lighter i escort, returned safely. The ror I tresses reached the targets —three important aerodromes arid the harbour of Cagliari—at mid-day, and unloaded thousands of bombs. In Cag- ! liari Harbour, live merchantmen wets (hit directly, two wore set on Lire, and lone coaster and one small vesse. were I also hit. Nineteen smaller vessels reI ceived damage. The industrial q ual ’~ i ter and coal stores were bombed ana (quayside warehouses hit many times, i The passenger railway received a cluster of bombs and the repair shops, fuel and pumping stations were also hit. On one aerodrome, forty-iour out of a total of 115 aircraft were damaged and several buildings were set on fire. At another aerodrome twelve aircraft out of 44 were destroyed. One of these aerodromes was later raided by Wellingtons, i which also launched a devastating | load of bombs, and left fires. . Captain Harold Balfour, speaking at Cairo, said that this was a great I day for the R.A.F., which was never ! stronger,' and never better equipped and never better in heart. A new . technique had been forged m the Middle East of, inter-services co-

operation in the field, which might well be adopted in other theatres ol war.

AXIS FLEET MOVEMENTS

“DUNKIRK” PREPARATIONS

LONDON, March 31. The German naval authorities have ordered all French merchantmen in Mediterranean ports to be refitted speedily, supplied with emergency crews, and sent to Genoa, Spezia, Sardinia, and Sicilian ports, ’_ior urgent operations in the Mediterranean in the next few weeks.” French ships which are lying idle in French ports, such as Marseilles, after the Germans on November 8 extended their occupation of France, are believed to total between 300,000 and 350,000 tons. French crews refused to man them and they were dispersed to their homes. The Axis has now decided to officer the ships with German mercantile marine officers and engineers and scratch Italian crews. Commenting on this report, the “Daily Mail” says: “Tne inference is that a ‘Dunkirk fleet’ is assembling for Marshal Rommel.” The Italian fleet is still a substantial factor in the war situation. It is composed of six or eight battleships, two heavy cruisers, and nearly 60 destroyers and torpedo boats,”' says “The Times” in a leading article. “Admiral Doenitz and Admiral Riccardi conferred for three days last month. This undoubtedly had some meaning and purpose. The conclusion irresistibly presents itself that the Axis is diligently seeking a counterweight to arrest the swing against them in the Mediterranean.” The diplomatic correspondent of ‘The Times” says: “After the breakdown of Axis resistance in Tunisia the Italian fleet will probably be employed to give some sort of protection for the withdrawal of the troops to the mainland. It also can be expected that the Germans will try to give such air cover as is within their capacity. Measures of this kind in Sicily and elsewhere have been noted. An Italian commentator said yesterday: ‘Sicily is the bastion of Italy and of Europe. Reuter’s Zurich correspondent says: “Italian newspapers are stating that even if the Allied armies take Tunisia they will still face Sicily, which is now a fortress commanding the Mediterranean channel. Ten thousand skilled members of the Todt organisation are reported to be working on Sicilian defences, especially new airfields. Polish and Russian war prisoners have been sent to Sicily as labourers.”

RESULTS REVIEWED.

ALLIES’ RING TIGHTENING

RUGBY, April 1

The victory of the Mareth-Gabes quadrilateral is complete, and General Montgomery’s invasion of Southern Tunisia is merging into the comprehensive operations planned by General Eisenhower and General Alexander. Forward troops of the Eighth Army are pressing north along the coast from Gabes towards Sfax, harassing strong rearguards, with which Rommel is covering the retreat, Already, they are almost in sic-ht of the American, forces forming • lie right wing of the Allied front, facing east. . A well-informed observer points out: We are seeing that process ol cciueezing together, so dear to the heart of all German strategists. It seems evident that American forces are much stronger than a short time avo. One American threat is through Maknassy and Faid towards Sfax, and the other through Fondouk, towards the Holy City of Kairouan and Port Susa. In the north the local British advance along the coast road through Sedjenane, may have been intended to anticipate further attacks by General Arnim, who is no doubt under order to do everything possible to orevent the First Army concentrating against the Tunisian tip. The"’ Eighth Army’s advance consolidates the American right wing, and shortens the Allied Line, thus deepening the available . reserves. Further more, it brings with, it airpower and sea-power. In the central belt of the coastal plain are many enemy airfields. As these become available to lighters and bombers of Coningham’s desert air force, Rommel’s supply depots and communications will come under devastating bombardment from ail directions. Similarly, the British command of thn'w waters, which promptly converted Tobruk, Benghazi and then Tripoli into secure important supply bases will apply the same process •Io Gabes and other ports .as the armies advance. Land and air powei from west, and south, and sea and air power, from cast and north, will ‘•teadi’y force an iron ring round the final’ fortress of the Tunisian tip. As Pm' area at. the enemy’s disposal contracts, he is obliged to extricate him-<-Hf from one dangerous situation after another. Whether he stands where bo is, or retreats with customary speed to the neighbourhood ot Susa or Kairouan. a disaster ofr the first magnitude confronts the Gelman command, but there is nowhere any disposition to assume the lake battle before the invasion ol Europe will bo anything less than a stern struggle.

N.Z. GENERALS ESCAPE?

LONDON, March 31. “Two New Zealand generals who were prisoners in Italy have escaped to Switzerland,” says Reuters Lugano correspondent. It is believed m London that the brigadieis may?. Brigadier J. Hargest M.P, and Brigadier R. Miles. . Both were in the same camp near Florence. Tho Prime Minister (Mr. P. I <«■•- nr) stated last night that he had no official intimation ol the escape ol two New - Zealand officers from an T talian prison camp, but inquiries were being made immediately. Thei e were throe New Zealand brigadiers hold as prisoners-of-war in Itmy Brigadiers Hargest, Miles, and G. H. Cl Br??adie’-s Hargest and Miles were c.-mlurcd at the battle of Sidi Rezegh in‘December, 1.941, during the second Uh von when the JXCA’ 7-Mand 5th 'infantry Brigade’s positions were over-run by the panzers Brigadier Miles was wounded and L h ns 0 been reported that he and Bngadier Harg«t were taken to Italy >n a submarine.

MR. FRASER’S MESSAGE

WELLINGTON, April 1. Mr Fraser has sent the following message to Lieutenant-General Freyburg: “On behalf of the Government and the pecble of New Zealand, I extend heartfelt thanks and congratuTations to -ton and the officers and men of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force in whose magnificent pchicvcmcntj nt TTamnia and in the decisive part the division is playing in the Tunisian campaign we feci the deepest bride.' "M r Erase; added that he felt sure General Freiberg would be delighted to read and publish in his orders me message he. had received from Mi. Churchill, 1

MR. JONES’ TOUR. [N.Z.E.F. jftlcial War Correspondent]

CAIRO? April 1

The New Zealand Minister of Defence (Mr. ilones) had an audience with King Farouk on his return to Cairo from a 2000-miles tour of the Middle Eastiyesterday. He also visited New Zealanders at Alexandria where he mH 50 New Zealand naval personnel and one Wren, Margaret Chorlton, ol Wellington. In Cairo

he met and talked with New Zealanders serving with the Air Force. The extent the N.Z.E.F. covers in the Middle East was emphasised by the distances covered by Mr. Jones. During his tour he found New Zealanders from Tripoli, Syria, and North Africa. He visited Palestine, and Lebanon and flew-from Cairo to Beirut where he was met by Lieutenant Colonel R. T. Smith, (formerly District Public Works Engineer at Greymouth) Commanding the New Zealand Railway Construction Group. He travelled through the snow-covered Lebanon Mountains to see New Zealand railway engineers supervising gangs of Lebanese labourers. He addressed groups of New Zealanders assembled specially to meet him. He saw many detachments on their jobs and on the anniversary of the death of Mr. Savage he addressed a large group of railway surveyors beneath the historic Biblos Castle fortress ' temple. On the next day he addressed a parade of railwaymen in Northern Palestine and was entertained along with many New Zealand officers by Mr. Norman Nairn, of Transport fame, at the Normandy Hotel, Beirut.

OFFICER-CADET TRAINING UNIT

Mr Jones motored south into Palestine. still visiting odd groups of New Zealanders and officer cadets at the Middle East. . On the journey to Cairo he stayed a night at Jerusalem. Despite; the tiring journey, Mr Jones is continuing his visits. To-day he saw New Zealand Engineers working in the famous Tura Caves, from which the stone for the Pyramids was obtained. He is visiting war graves to-morrow. Mr Jones’s visit to the Middle East is very timely as nearly two years have elapsed since any sort of political contact has been established between New Zealand and her troops in the Middle East. The isolation ol New Zealanders from the flux of domestic change is perhaps not realised at home. News at best is gathered from letters and news stories in the “N.Z.E.F. Times,” and a half-hour New Zealand broadcast from Cairo every Thursday evening. Regarding location of Americans and Kiwis, a base relief map in mud at Kantara shows a star-spangled banner in the centre of the North Island, where Lake Taupo ought to be. Mr Jones saw that now. This distant colony or New Zealanders living more or less by itself for three years is dimly conscious of the social changes in the Homeland and has been. sufficiently stirred by Mr Jones’s visit to realise that the election due in New Zealand is not yet past. n Mr Jones has not nad a cnanco oi visiting the Division, but he has made a practice of meeting individually as many men as possible to discuss their problems.