“CAMPAIGN IS OVER”

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 May 1943, Page 5

“CAMPAIGN IS OVER”

GENERAL ALEXANDER’S REPORT

PRISONERS EXCEED 193,000

LONDON, May 15.

The following message was received at No. 10 Downing Street on May 13 from General Sir Harold Alexander:—“The Prime Minister: It is my duty to report that the Tunisian campaign is over. All enemy resistance has ceased. We are masters of the North African shores.” “The last remaining elements of the enemy in Tunisia surrendered at 11.45 a.m. on Thursday,” said Friday’s North African communique. “No Axis forces remain who are not prisoners in our hands. We are now dealing with the .gigantic task of sorting and dealing with the prison--6 Lord Mottistone. in a speech, said: “I have good reason for saying that the number of prisoners captured in Tunisia will exceed 193,000, of whom 150,000 will be Germans. Our resounding victory in North Africa is but the forerunner of a series of victories.” “Mussolini lost in Tunisia every armoured division he ever had,” says the Algiers radio. “Hitler lost three of his oldest and best panzer formations. All the Italian infantry and motorised divisions which were considered above mediocrity were wiped out. That is only part of the fearful cost to tire Axis of the campaigns in Libya, Egypt, and Tunisia.” A French communique issued in Algiers says that the number of disarmed prisoners in French hands in Central Tunisia has risen to 36,000, with more than 200 captured guns oi all calibres, in good condition, A decree broadcast by the Algiers radio announces the mobilisation ol the civilian population of Tunisia for services in the armed forces. . A statement issued in Washington says that in the six months since the Allied landing in North Africa the Allied air forces destroyed about 2000 enemy aircraft, for the loss of 770 of their own. , America will pay Axis troops cap tured in North Africa 80 cents daily, and will also provide food, clothing, housing, and medical care if they are brought to America for farm work. Prisoners will receive 10 cents daily if they are not required to work. Commissioned officers without working will receive 20 to 40 dollars a month, according to rank. If officeis desire they may be given work suitable to their rank. The American allowances for prisoners have been fixed at an extremely generous rate in the hope that better treatment will lie accorded to American prisoners. It is believed that both Germany and Italy have reciprocated by fixing equivalent payments. It is not known whether Japan is paying American prisoners in her hands.

VON ARNIM IN ENGLAND

LONDON, May 16. General von Arnim, the defeated Axis commander-in-chief m Tunisia, is now in England. He was brought, from Africa by air. An earlier message from Madiid said that two Italian and eight German generals, including General von Arnim, had arrived at _ Gibraltar by air on their way to Britain. Eighteen Axis generals, including 14 German, were captured in Tunisia. The total number of generals captured by the Allies, not including Russia. is now 111. of whom 19 are'’Germans. All but' one, Major-General Friemel. who was captured by the Dutch in Rotterdam in May, 1940, have been taken in Africa. The other four German generals, including General Ritter von Thoma, were captured between November, 1941, and November, 1942. Ten Italian generals were captured at El Alamein and others at various stages of the African campaign, including East Africa. LATER.

Von Arnim arrived to-day at an airport in the south of England, where the R.A.F. handed him over to the War Office, after which he W’as conveyed secretly to London.

While von Arnim is a prisoner, Britain, under the Geneva Convention, must pay him £2094 yearly, which'he received as Commander-in-Chief in Tunisia. A British General who is a Commander-in-Chief receives £3300 yearly.

VON' CRAMM TAKEN

LONDON, May 16

The Algiers radio yesterday revealed that G. von Cramm, the German Davis Cup player, was captured by the Allies In Tunisia.

LUFTWAFFE DEMORALISED

GERMANS WOULD NOT FIGHT

LONDON, May 15

“There arc signs that the Huns are really hard pinched, and that the Luftwaffe will be the first German arm to crack up completely,” said Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder. Vice-Chief of the Air Staff, giving some results of the Allied victories over the Axis in Tunisia. He warned against dispersal of the Allied air forces, and claimed that concentration was the key to air power.

Sir Arthur Tedder said: “The Luftwaffe has been definitely driven from the sky. Allied shipping will now be able to use the Mediterranean in safety.” Sir Arthur Tedder told correspondents that the Allies in the Battle of Tunisia had captured 520 aircraft, most of them in good condition. including many of the latest types. The Allies had had air supremacy throughout. During the battle the enemy pilots just would not. light. In the later phases of the battle the Allies had fighter patrols over enemy airfields the whole time. The enemy tried to send machines from Sicily, but they never reached Africa.

I’iie Allies in the past had been inclined to flatter the Luftwaffe, he said, but the German was no good in the air. lie" did not know how to use an air force properly. Individually, the Germans might be good, but they did not understand" how to use air power as a weapon of war. The sole Axis airfield on Pantelleria has been left unserviceable after three days of pounding from the air, says Reuter's Cairo correspondent. The indications are that the enemy air forces have ceased operating from Pantelleria.

AERIAL ATTACKS CONTINUED

RUGBY, May 15

A Middle East air communique says: “Heavy Royal Air Force bombers attacked Messina and Wellingtons attacked Cagliari on Thursday night. At Messina bombs burst near the ferry terminus. On Friday in daylight Royal Air Force long-range fighters attacked and damaged an enemy minesweeper off the west coast of Greece. From these and other operations one of our aircraft is missing.” A later message says that, extending their attacks still further north, the North African Air Force on Friday attacked Civitavecchia, an im- ! portant port 37 miles north-west of Rome, and Olbia, in north-west Sardinia. They also bombed a series of

targets in Sardinia, including airfields |at Alghero and nearby railways, Porto Torres, Porto Santo Romano, and other places. " JX , . North African messages report that heavy damage was done by Flymg Fortresses at Civitavecchia, where fires were started and several hits scored on vessels. At Olbia three ! ships were sunk, a large tanker damjaged, and three enemy aeroplanes j brought down. Three more aero- * planes were destroyed at Alghero. {Two Allied aircraft are missing from these attacks. Fighter-bombers from Malta . attacked Comiso aerodrome, in Sicily, on Friday, destroying a Dornier flying-boat and damaging small surface craft with cannon-fire. -On Friday night .intruders from Malta were over Sicily and southern Italy. The quayside at Gallipoli (in the Gulf of Taranto) was attacked with cannonfire. Strikes were seen on a vessel beside the quay. Our Intruders were active over Sicily and Southern Italy last night, says a Malta message. Trains and station buildings were attacked.

NAVY’S CONTRIBUTION.

RUGBY, May 15.

Saturday’s North African communique said: “As far as reports are available, our light naval and coastal forces operating in Tunisian waters in the critical period from April 30 to May 12, sank four enemy merchantmen, one Italian destroyer, three small tramp steamers, one transport barge, one small fighting vessel, and numerous rowing boats and small ! craft. Most of these were carrying troops endeavouring to escape by sea, some 490 of whom, including a German general, were made prisoners.” In a message to his ships, Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham expressed satisfaction with the work of the light naval forces last week. He said it was a tribute to them that even in a desperate situation the enemy had made no real effort to evacuate by sea, and that the few who made the attempt were soon intercepted.

CAPTURE OF CAP BON.

REMARKABLE EXPLOITS

RUGBY, May 16. A remarkable advance by the 6th Armoured Division and the. 4th Infantry Division, which culminated in the complete occupation of Cap Bon Peninsula, has now been described > by a North Africa war correspondent. I There was only one way into the Peninsula, and that was along the coast road, which was heavily fortified by the enemy at the narrowest point. The enemy had a large number of 88 millimetre guns m the hills overlooking Hammamlif, also a large number in the town covering all roads. The motorised infantry and artillery attacked the enemy in the hills on’May 8, and fierce fighting went on throughout the day. The infantry rubbed out enemy nest after nest, and by evening held all the hills. Early on May 9, Sherman tanks went into "action against the town, being met by heavy lire from anti-tank guns and also anti-aircraft batteries. The artillery put clown a heavy barrage on the town, and the tanks went in again, with the infantry riding on top of them. They fought a way into the town, often knocking out 88 s from point-blank range, while infantry leapt from the tanks to rush the houses from which the enemy were firing from. upstairs windows. The enemy was forced to withdraw so hurriedly that he left many undamaged guns behind, including 12 88’s. He also left two Tiger tanks. Next day, the armoured division moved into the Peninsula and captured Soliman, despite strong resistance, then took Grombellia, and by travelling through the night were able to reach and take Hammamet earlv next morning. Here the division" split, one group heading northwards, while the other went south and joined the Bth Army on May 15. The 4th Division went up the western road of the Peninsula and performed a remarkable feat, covering 41 miles in 18 hours. They met heavy resistance at some points, and there were cases of infantry leaping from tanks directly into enemy positions, with fixed bayonets. Wnen they signalled they had reached the lip of the Peninsula, it was thought they had made a mistake, but the I enemy was under no illusion on the subject.

KING’S MESSAGE

LONDON, May 14. The King has sent a message to Mr. Churchill expressing his gratification on the North African victory. He said that a glorious campaign had been successfully concluded, and that its successful prosecution had been due to the unflinching determination of Mr. Churchill. “With the completion of the African campaign, this country and all the United Nations owe a debt to you,” said the King.

MR. CHURCHILL’S REPLY

RUGBY, May 16. Following is the Prime Minister’s reply to the recent message from the King on the conclusion of the Tunisian campaign: “l am deeply grateful for the most gracious message with which Your Majesty has honoured me. No Minister of the Crown ever received more kindness and confidence from his Sovereign than I have done during the three fateful years which have passed since I received Your Majesty’s commission to form a National Administration. This has been a precious- aid and comfort to me, especially in the dark time through which we passed. My father and’ grandfather both served in Cabinets of Queen Victoria s reign, and I myself have been a Minister under Your Majesty’s grandfather, your father, and yourself, for many years. The signal compliment which Your Majesty paid me on this occasion goes far beyond my deserts, but. will remain as a source of lively pleasure to me as long as I live.”

WITH THE FRENCH

GIRAUD AT BIZERTA

LONDON, May 15. When General Giraud entered Bizerta on Friday morning he was greeted by General le Clerc and representatives of the Allies. General Giraud, addressing his own officials, said: “I know what you went through. It may comfort you to know that on Thursday on the Zaghouan front I saw 50.000 Italian and German prisoners, mostly Germans, file past as they surrendered to the French 10th Corps. The vanquished enemy and the general delight of the French gave me a vivid impression of our victory. The French fought magnificently, since’ they fought without modern - equipment. Last Sunday I saw in Algeria a magnificent parade of the French troops equipped with American material. Our Allies have fulfilled their promise. We will fulfil ours, which is to deliver France.” Referring to the taking of his daughter and children as hostages by the Germans, General Giraud said:

i “This cowardly act would prove-if there were any need—a further reason for fightng. I’know that if Germany is victorious we would all be enslaved for a century. I have not the soul of a slave. Let us constantly remember this. Let us not make the same mistake as in the past.” The Algers radio says that General Giraud will shortly sign a decree releasing all political prisoners in North Africa, numbering about 5000. NEW BEY~OF TUNIS "LONDON, May 15. The French Resident-General in Tunisia will be present to-day at the investiture of the new Bey of Tunis, following General Giraud’s deposing of the former Bey who has already left Tunisia- for a new residence. An official announcement in Algiers says: “After having investigated on the spot the situation created by the liberation of Tunisia, General Giraud has recognised that in present condi-' lions the presence of the Bey of Tunis, who resigned during the occupation by Axis troops, would prejudice the external and internal security of the Regency undertaken by France as protector. The commander-in-chief has therefore decided that he must be succeeded by another of the same dynasty. According to the tradition of the dynasty, Sidi Lamine Bey will become his successor.”

The Algiers correspondent of the Associated Press says that the deposed Bey of Tunis went to Madagascar with 25 of his wives.

VICHY SUPPORTERS SENTENCED

LONDON, May 15. The Algiers radio says that a courtmartial sentenced to death in their absence five Tunisian Vichy supporters, including the reprsentatives in Tunis of M. Marion, who was Vichy Minister of Information. Another of those sentenced was the former chief of political police in Tunis.

“WAYS OF ESCAPE”

LONDON, May 16

The British United Press Tunis correspondent says a search is proceeding for Fascists hiding throughout the city in friends’ and relatives’ cellars and attics. A number of Italian and German Army officers ordered civilian clothes from Tunis tailors three weeks before the city fell. Many Italians asked barbers for new kinds of haircuts before the Axis defences collapsed, and a number of Germans had their hair dyed.

N.Z. DIVISION.

WELLINGTON, May 15. Mr. Churchill has sent the following message to the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser): — “I am most grateful to you for your kind message and for the splendid part in the victory borne by the New Zealand Division, which was ever in the van.”

RUGBY, May 14. “The New Zealanders put marvellous finals to a great dramatic performance,” said the Deputy-Prime Minister (Mr Attlee) when referring to the African campaign in a speech on the Dominions’ contribution to the war effort. “The Dominions are treading not the path which leads to independence, but to interdependence. When people grow up their family affections remain. That is abundantly true of the Dominions. It is in times of stress that our family ties grow so strong. The effect of the war on the Dominions has been to increase their national development without i'n the slightest degree impairing the unity of the Commonwealth.”