ALLIED AIR RAIDS

Grey River Argus, 18 November 1942, Page 5

ALLIED AIR RAIDS

Both Sides Reinforce [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.l LONDON, Nov. 16. The New York radio stated: British and American troops are engaging the Germans near Tunis, and another unspecified place in Tunisia. Allied aircraft have made six raids on the Axis occupied airport at Tunis. Allied fighter squadrons have also been intercepting Axis aircraft on the ferry route between Sicily and Tunis, and seven Axis machines were shot down, making the total 20 in three days. A low-level attack on the Tunis aerodrome was made at dusk on Saturday. One enemy fighter was shot down in combat. On Saturday night medium bombers again attacked Tunis. Direct hits were scored on aerodrome buildings and workshops, and large fires were caused. Six large German aircraft were destroyed and others damaged. An enemy fighter was destroyed in combat. Further attacks on this aerodrome were made on Saturday night by medium 'bombers. From these and other operations five of our aircraft are missing. On Sunday three raids were made on Tunis aerodrome, the first at dusk, when at least six transport machines and bombers were burnt out. An R.A.F. pilot chased a Heinkel 111 which was forced down into the sea, where it blew up. Two other raids made in the night caused greatdestruction. The British Air Ministry said: All aircraft returned safely from the two night raids, made by R.A.F. bombers. So destructive wer e these raids, according to one participating airman, that "we came back looking like trucks loaded with bricks and mortar.” The Rabat radio broadcast a communique from the Allied headquarters: “The spearhead of the British troops is advancing with the greatest possible speed towards Eastern Tunisia. Forty-two Axis planes were shot down in aerial combat in Tunisia and nineteen were set on fire on the ground. More British and United States troops, including American paratroops, have- been landed in Algeria to reinforce the Ist Army. Th e tonnage of the convoy is said to run into six figures. The convoy reached its destination without the loss of a single soldier. No official reports have yet been received of any clash between Allied troops and Axis forces, but it is believed that land fighting will not be long delayed. General Anderson said: “Th e objective of the British troops is to kick Rommel and the Axis armies out of North Africa with the assistance of the Bth Army. We have made a good start, and we will not lose the initiative. Nine-tenths of the forces engaged are British, but the United

States Army is playing an important part in holding our gams in Algeria. It is officially stated at Allied Force Headquarters that the British First Army has been reinforced by mobile United States units. The Morocco radio says that Hitler has ordered th e Germans forces m Tunisia to hold on at any cost. An Italian communique states that th e Italians and Germans landed at Tunis with the consent of the French and added: “We are completing troop movements in Corsica-and in the south of France.” / The Luftwaffe are believed to be making Sicily their Mediterranean beadquarters and possible great air battles over the Narrows are welcomed in London, if for no other reason than that Allied aircraft production exceeds Gei’many’s and the mor e we can make the Luftwaffe fight and expend itself the greater will the advantage to the Allies become. , , Germany and Italy are estimated to be building 3000 aircraft a month, of which som e 1800 are operational tvpes. Since the beginning of October they produced about 2700 aircraft of which 1200 were available for service, but during the same period over all fronts the Luftwaffe lost 1400 operational planes. A British aircraft-carrier assisted the operations at Oran. Albacores attacked an airfield. The campaign in North Agnca was finished in less than 80 hours. lhe last place where any serious resistance was offered was at Casablanca, Che Moroccan naval base, which has now been occupied by the Allies. Mr. Oliver Lyttelton said that for the operations in North Africa more than 500 ships were used, convoyed by more than 350 warships. For obvious reasons the number of troops carried could not be stated. Troopcarrying aircraft made a flight ot 1500 miles from Britain to Oran on Saturday night, oarrying American parachutists. All the parachut-sts arrived fighting fit. Speaking in the Commons the Foreign Under-Secretary (Mr. Law) sa'd that the North African operation was not only a military and material operation but also a political operation of a very technical kind. lhe whole vast operation was planned with perfect co-operation across thousands of miles of ocean. The success achieved was very largely due to the patient, persistent policy of the United States Government in North Africa. This enabled them to maintain their representatives and influence, and prepare the ground for the arrival of the Allied force. They pursued this policy unswervingly m me face of progressive backslidings Dy Laval into the enemy camp. Now the results were beginning to be seen. The British Government, he said, naa alwavs given very full support to this policy, "although it had not always been popular, and it was not possible to explain why we gave it. AXIS COMMANDER IN TUNISIA. (Rec., 8.5) LONDON, Nov. 17. The Rome radio says: General Walter Nehring has been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Axis forces in Tunisia. He has issued a proclamation appealing to the French and native troops in Tunisia to fight with the Axis against the common enemy.

HARD FIGHTING AHEAD OF BRITISH IN TUNISIA. (Rec. 8.5) LONDON, Nov. 16. "The Times” military correspondent says: It seems certain we will see some hard fightihg in Tunisia. This phase, in which General Anderson’s First Army has taken over the chief role, is likely to prove by far the most difficult. The Germans evidently have made up their minds to fighting with all available strength. A short-sided triangle formed by Sicily, Sardinia and Tunisia favours their air force. It represents short flights for their troop-carrying aircraft, which can effectively be covered by their fighter planes. It likewise reoresents short sea passages. The advantage, however, on land still seems to be strongly on our side. It may take General Anderson a little while to bring his heavy forces into action. It must be realised that Bona is the most easterly port we ar e likely to use at present. It is 120 miles westward of Bizerta, the Tunisia central base. The provision of Spitfire aircraft is also indispensable for General Anderson’s advance.