GRIP TIGHTENS

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

GRIP TIGHTENS

ALL-ROUND GAINS DRIVE BY ALLIES AFRIKA KORPS ROUTED DIFFICULTIES INCREASE. (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) LONDON, April 9. The Allies are relentlessly tightening their grip on the Axis forces m Tunisia. The Algiers radio to-night declared that the Al'rica Korps was completely routed and in full retreat and the Eighth Army was fiercely pursuing the enemy in the direction oi Stax. The radio added that the First Army simultaneously advanced bringing it considerably nearer to Tunis. The Americans are continuing to advance from El Guettar and mopping up the enemy and also advancing north of Maknassi. ( The German News Agency admits the evacuation of Pichon under British and French pressure, which suggests the development of the Allied drive towards the coastal plain in the direction of Sousse, involving a threat to the attempted concentration of Geni eral Rommel’s forces northward. The Algiers radio reported that the Axis positions in the region oi Mateur were pierced in great depth. Latest reports placed the British spearheads half-way between Oudref and Mahares. Vanguards found the roads along which the Afrika Korps is struggling blocked with shattered enemy tanks and vehicles, providing evidence of the effect of the intense aerial bombardments which incessantly plastered the Axis line of retreat. Retreat in Centre The Germans were previously reported to be retiring from Mahares and from Mezzouna, 20 miles from Maknassi on the Maknassi-Sfax railway, where the American pressure is increasing. . , The German News Agency said there had been tough lighting at Ousseltia and Bou Adada and also at Medjez el Bab and in the coast area iri the neighbourhood of the Cap Serrat. The news agency, admitting the abandonment of Pichon, says that the Axis firmly maintained the mountain positions northward and southward of Pichon, where the Allies are attacking in order to support the British thrusts in the vicinity oi Medjez el Bab and. Beja, aiming to tie down the Axis forces. The Algiers radio states that the Americans from. Maknassi reached Mezzouna -and added that the French and American forces operating east oi Maknassi are on the point of joining up with the Allied forces coming from the south. The Associated Press Algiers coriespondent reports that the United States Second Corps, mopping up east of El Guettar, has taken 1300 Axis prisoners. German Air Losses Reuter’s correspondent at Allied headquarters says that the Axis retreat has increased General Rommel s I difficulties. He formerly held naturally defensive short positions, hut now has a 30-mile front along which lie must be watchful. The First Army s advance is being carried on despite the very difficult terrain and. unseasonable winds and rain, which lias again transformed mountain tracks into glue-like mud, slowing up movement. ' , , . . Reuter adds that the fact that Axis convoys continue to bring in supplies apparently indicates that General Rommel intends to make a lighting stand sooner or later. The Algiers radio said that the Germans sent in Stukas in an attempt to check the advance of the First Army. Allied pianos, without loss, shot down 14 Stukas. General Rommel in three days has lost 250 planes. Correspondents continue to emphasise the terrific blitzing tlio Allied air forces are giving the Axis, seriously disorganising General Rommel Ls retreat. They state that the Italians are so shaken by the aerial bombardment that hundreds of Italian prisoners, hearing German aircraft overhead, flung themselves on the ground. General Rommel is evacuating kev personnel and technicians from Tunisia, says the Daily Express. In the past few days ferry transports between Messina and Sicily and the Tuuis-Bizcrta defence ring have been working a shuttle service throughout tho night, carrying in supplies and carrying out technicians. Many were brought down by Allied fighters. The Germans are using Junkers 52’s and obsolete Junkers 90’s, and also some new four-engined transports. Sixty per cent of General Rommel’s supplies this week arrived by air, but after the capture of further advance bases the R.A.F. will establish a continuous fighter patrol along the coast, thus cutting down the Luftwaffe ferry. It is estimated that 10,000 Axis forces reached Tunisia by air. ______________