CAPTURE OF SFAX

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21067, 12 April 1943, Page 3

CAPTURE OF SFAX

GAINS IN NORTH AXIS LOSSES IN AIR ! MORE PRISONERS TAKEN (11 a.m.) LONDON, April 11. The destruction ol 58 Axis, aircraft in Tunisia yesterday is reported in to-day’s Allied Headquarters communique which says: “The Eighth Army continued its advance northwards through Tunisia. Sfax was occupied early in the morning and by night forward patrols had made considerable progress to' the north. In the Fondouk area, our armoured forces continued the advance towards Kairouan, encountering stiff opposition by enemy armour. French troops continued successful operations clearing the area northward of Pichon. Qur troops in the area of Medjez el Bab and Munchar made further progress and took more prisoners. “A strong Flying Fortress formation, as well as damaging two Italian heavy cruisers at La Maddalena, also attacked the submarine base and harbour installations there. Many fires were left burning in the target area and among shipping. No Allied planes were lost in this operation. “In two sweeps of the Sicilian straits our fighters destroyed 30 enemy transport planes and 1. escorting fighters. Our bombers destroyed 10 more transport planes and two fighters. Heavy attacks continued last mgnt and to-day on enemy troops and transport concentrations in the Enfidaville area, 2o miles north of Sousse. Many vehicles were destroyed. Five enemy fighters were destroyed by our fighters m the northern battle area. From at. these operations three of our planes are missing.” * Some Resistance The occupation of Sfax, the soul h■ eastern Tunisian port, at 8 a.m. yesterday was announced by wireless from Allied force headquarters. JL'liit followed the issue of an eariiei communique, which states: “The Eighth Army: Forward elements were in contact with enemy rearguards With tanks and infantry. Our troop, occupied Mahares after some enem.i resistance. The advance continues Forfdouk sector: Successful attacks started in this area on Thursday. British, French, and American troops co-operated to secure high ground north and south of Fondouk. Ovei 500 prisoners were taken. Opera tions continue. Northern sector: to the area between Medjez el Bab ami Munchar further advances were made in the face of considerable opposition over very difficult country. The ai tack lias advanced 10 miles. Sine* Tuesday, 1000 German prisoners have been taken. “Yesterday, fighters and fighter bombers maintained attacks on enemy positions and communications. Fighters carried out offensive sweep: and patrols along the entire from. Spitfires patrolling in the central sector intercepted a formation of .10 Junkers 88s. Eight of the enemy were destroyed. Tu the Enfidaville area, Hurricane bombers attacked a con c.entfation of troops and transports, destroying several vehicles and dam aging others. From all operations, six of our aircraft are missing. Fur flier reports on the air operations in recent days show that three more enemy aircraft were destroyed and six more of ours are missing.” Importance of Sfax

During all-day at,tanks against llio retreating Axis forces Allied figlilcrbombors destroyed at least 50 vehicles on Thursday when they swooped on u petrol refuelling point. Troops reaching the area the following day found tangled and burned-out wrecks around the petrol dump. The Morocco radio reports that an aircraft carrier is co-operating with the land-based air forces in paralysing General Rommel's columns retreating along the coast. Commentators in London believe that Ffax will be most useful to General Montgomery, not only 6ecau.se : .l has robbed Rommel of a supply port, but also because it will assist our own supplies, although the docks rrcorr.modate ships of only 1000 tons. Gfa-: possesses two moderately-sized eerodromes which will quickly be ava'lable. The Allies are now within 15 miles of La Fauconniere, which is General Rommel’s important air base in southern Tunisia,