IN CLOSE PURSUIT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21066, 10 April 1943, Page 3

IN CLOSE PURSUIT

BRITISH FORCES

STEADY PROGRESS MANY AXIS PRISONERS (11 a.m.) LONDON, April 9. Very bad weather somewhat restricted the air operations in Tunisia yesterday, says a correspondent. The "retreat of the Germans and Italians continued, with the British in close pursuit. As the total of prisoners captured since the fall of the Mareth Line approaches live figures, the total taken by the Eighth Army since General Alexander assumed command now numbers 100,000. General Alexander, speaking to correspondents to-day, expressed pride at the fighting spirit of the British, American, and French troops under his command and paid a tribute to the contribution of the Second United States Corps towards the victory of the Eighth Army. The American corps is now mopping up in the territory already gained and bringing in prisoners and a great quantity of material.

The Exchange and Telegraph Agency’s correspondent with the First Army says that the Germans appear to be "falling back hastily. The British are steadily progressing according to plan.

Reuter’s correspondent with the First Army in the Medjez el ,Bab area says that the Germans in some sectors are hastily pulling jpack from the mountain positions they have held for months. Our advance is progressing satisfactorily. The First Army’s casualties are not heavy, but the Germans suffered severely from our intense and accurate fire.

Reuter’s correspondent with the American forces on the El Guettar sector says that following behind the reconnaissance forces which linked up with the Eighth Army, American armoured units, in a fresii push eastwards along the Gabes -road, pro grossed rapidly and by Wednesdaynight had advanced 20 miles. The Germans are hastily retreating under heavy blows from the air.

Yesterday our desert aircraft at tacked enemy forces moving north from Mezzouna and Mahares, causing considerable destruction and disorganisation/ The attack by descrl bombers has been so heavy in the last two days that 130 vehicles have been destroyed and 200 damaged. Spitfires patrolling the southern sector met practically no opposition, bul Hurricanes engaged a formation of Junkers, inflicting damage on the enemy. Our fighters heat off with damage to the enemy machines three small-scale attacks against our ad vanced troops. Despite the weather, fighter sweeps and patrols continued frbm dawn to dusk over the whole battle area.

Our fighter bombers attacked railway communications in Sicily yesterday, says a Malta message. They also successfully strafed trains, and scored near misses on a railway bridge.