ALLIED ADVANCE

Grey River Argus, 24 November 1942, Page 5

ALLIED ADVANCE

IN TUNISIA. SERIES OF AIR RAIDS French Co-operation [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON .Nov. 22. The' main body of Allied troops in Tunisia is following rapidly on the heels of advanced units and on Sunday night was reported to be preparing for massed attacks against Axis positions. Morocco radio stated Allied shock troops attacked Germans freshly entrenched westwards of Tunis, and seized an important road junction. According to an Associated Press correspondent at Allied Headquarters, British, American and French forces are battering at German defences around Bizerta in at least five places. Unconfirmed reports indicate the French have beaten back the Germans trying to smash southwards through the French defences in order to contact with Tripolita'nia. Another unconfirmed report states that the Germans have occupied Sabes harbour.

The Morocco radio said the Allies operating from bases on the FerianaGafsa railway are advancing towards the east coast. The radio added: “It appears that the German Command found it useless to continue resistance south of Tunis. The Axis forces in this sector have therefore been ordered to cut a way through northwards. The position in South Tunisia generally is most confusing, and there is no' elucidation of a French renort that German detachments entered Tunisia from Tripolitania in the direction of Gafsa-Kair-wan. More French garrisons are swinging over to the Allies, and fighting fiercely and have suffered 100 casualties. The first 50 miles of the British and American advance into Tunisia was made without meeting armed resistance. The rapid building up of Allied air strength in eastern Algeria is believed to have surprised the enemv, who suffered severely in the earlier raids against Bone and Bougie. His bombers have more recently been heavily escorted. A further' increase in Allied air support is regarded as an important factor in the Manning of the Allied advance.

Fortresses, Liberators and fighters have for the first 'time been in action together against the Luftwaffe. The Fortresses, escorted by Liberators, struck at daylight on Saturday against the Tunis aerodrome hitting hangars and starting many fires, destroying five German planes aground, and probably destroying half a dozen others. Messerschmitt 109’s attacked the Fortresses as thev were returning to the base. The Fortresses, without loss, shot down three Messerschmitts. The Liberators shot down one- Messerschmitt and drove off the remainder. The American Air Force is now in action on a large scale over Tunisia.

Germans have been apparently digging in 30 miles south-west of both Bizerta and Tunis and making a stand. The situation is confused, but it appears almost all the rest of Tunisia is under the control of proAilied French garrisons or under Allied occupation. “German losses in Saturday’s clashes were heavy, but they are pouring in reserves and we are apparently m for considerable fighting.” the spokesman added. A full and entire amnesty has been granted on the orders of the French North African Commission to all persons who favour the Allied action in Africa. The Sultan of Morocco and General Nogues, former French commander in Morocco, have pledged complete co-operation with the American forces in North Africa.

Algiers was raided on Saturday night by Axis bombers for the second night in succession. The Morocco radio reports that no bombs fell m the city. The position of the Axis forces is becoming clearer. They appear to be defending a line about 100 miles long, running from the north coast to the Gulf of Hammamet on fne east coast, covering the towns of Birzerta and Tunis, both about 30 miles behind the line. Further south, the occupation is reported of a railway junction north-west of Gabes. It was taken by a' British force supported by American anti-tank and anti-aircraft guns. The Admiralty announces that the German and Italian Governments having set aside the armistice with France and occupied the French Mediterranean coast, the United States and British Governments are compelled to declare certain areas in the Mediterranean dangerous to shipping. All waters in the Mediterranean, excluding Turkish territorial waters, are dangerous to shipping to the east of. a line from the French-Spanish border, along the edge of Spanish territorial waters to the Algerian coast.

Axis Forces Lose Oasis

FRENCH CAPTURE GERMANS TRIPOLI TWICE BOMBED (Rec. 1.0) LONDON, Nov. 23. A French North African Headquarters communique states: French and Allied forces have thrown Axis forces out of the Gafsa Oasis. The Commander-in-Chief in North Africa has ordered the populations in Tunisia and of Algeria to surrender their arms and ammunitions with the exception of small arms, by Wednesday. The penalty for non-sur-render will be courtmartial, says the Morocco radio. The British United Press says:— French units, behind German lines, captured three patrols in th e vicinity of the south-east coast of Tunisia. ‘The “Daily Mail’s” Madrid correspondent says: It is reported from Algiers, that Allied forces are nearing Mateur. United States Air Force planes effectively bombed port facilities of Tripoli in daylight on Saturday. After that R.A.F. heavy bombers made a night raid on the port, which was shrouded in dense smoke. AXIS REINFORCEMENTS (Rec. 1.0) LONDON, Nov. 23. The British United Press states that Italian forces have moved into South Tunisia from Tripolitania. PRO-NAZI ELEMENTS IN ORAN. (Rec. 9.5.) LONDON, Nov. 22. A message from Oran stated: The handling of the internal situation in Oran is a masterpiece of subtlety. The theory of the leaving of the proAxis elements at large in spite of protests) from the pro-Allied residents is not purely idealistic. The intention is to allow the French authorities to clean up their own doorstep, ana r.o punish Axis organisations without any Allied interference.

JEWISH RIGHTS RESTORED.

(Rec. 9.30.) LONDON, Nov. 22. It is announced at Algiers that Jews in Algeria, who, in 1940, were deprived of citizenship rights, are being called up under a current military mobilisation. The ’iaujthoritiq,’ thus have taken the first step to

wards the abrogation of anti-Semitic legislation. Spanish Morocco STRONG REINFORCEMENTS SENT. (Rec. 9.10.) LONDON, Nov. 23. It is announced at Tangier that strong reinforcemenits have arrived from Spain at the port of Ceuta, opposite Gibraltar. Two-hour Raids BY AXIS PLANES ON ALGIERS (Rec. 1.0) LONDON, Nov. 23. The Algiers radio savs: Axis bombers attacked Algiers on Sunday night and again early on Monday morning. Each al tack lasted for two hours. A hospital was damaged. Several were killed.

FRENCH AFRICAN ARMY.

ALL FIGHTING AGAINST AXIS.

(Rec. 9.10.) LONDON, Nov.. 22. A press message from Oran, in Algeria, says: It is understood that an agreement has been reached under which the entire French North African Army is to be turned over to the United Nations, and that the French will fight under their ow n officers, but under the American Command.