HEAVY FIGHTING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21064, 8 April 1943, Page 3

HEAVY FIGHTING

COUNTERS FAIL

AXIS SHIP LOSSES ALLIED AIR SUCCESSES (Noon.) LONDON, April 7. A North African communique states: “The Eighth Army successfully attacked the Akarit positions yesterday and drive a wedge into the enemy positions after very heavy fighting. Enemy counter-attacks on the bridgehead position were repulsed. Fighting continues on the El Guettar sector. On the remainder of the front our patrols were active. “Throughout yesterday fighters and bombers of the tactical air force carried out repeated attacks on La Fouronnerie and enemy landing grounds. Bombs were seen to burst among grounded aircraft and fires were left burning. Enemy vehicles in southern Tunisia were attacked by fighter-bombers and fighter sweeps were carried out along the whole front. Wellingtons bombed the docks and shipping at Tunis. Bombs were seen to burst in the dock area and large fires were started. “Heavy and successful attacks were carried out by heavy and medium bombers on shipping in the Sicilian straits and the docks at Trapani. Six enemy ships in a convoy were sunk and an ammunition ship was blown up. At Trapani, many ships of all sizes were sunk and others seriously damaged. During the attack on the convoy, Flying Fortresses were attacked by enemy fighters, of which they destroyed 15. A total of 25 enemy aircraft were destroyed during yesterday’s operations. We lost five. On Monday evening, four Italian torpedo - bombers attempted to attack Allied shipping off the Algerian coast. All were shot down by Hurricanes.” Ferocious Bombardment A Cairo communique states that American Liberators, without loss, attacked Messina harbour last night, scoring direct hits on ferry buildings and quays. One enemy fighter was destroyed. Spitfires this morning destroyed ; JUBB off southern Sicily. Malta's fighter-bombers attacked Hagusa, in southern Sicily. An Italian communique says that serious damage was done in the raid on Tuesday on Trapani and Messina. Forty-six people were killed and 109 injured. The Eighth Army resumed the offensive after a ferocious night bombardment by concentrated artillery, says the Associated Press correspondent at Allied headquarters. The British troops smashed into the outlying enemy posts, tanks following closely in support. The attacking forces encountered terrific artillery fire and many mines. The New York Times’ correspondent says that General Montgomery launched his attack without waiting for the junction with the Americans, which might have enabled General Rommel to get fully set. This is a power move obviously designed to lead to the complete crushing of General Rommel as quickly as possible. The Americans, French, and British First Army are holding General Rommel in the coastal plain or along the easterly line of mountains while the Eighth Army, with the most experienced fighters in Africa, pounds his rear. The Fighting French, who covered the west flank of the New Zealanders’ drive to El Hamma, are now moving up the coast northwards of Gabes in the course of operations with the Eighth Army, reports the New York Times correspondent. Their strength is not revealed, but it is believed that it equals that of New Zealand and includes an armoured division from Egypt and the column General I.e Clerc led across the desert from Chad.