TUNISIA TUSSLE

Grey River Argus, 27 November 1942, Page 5

TUNISIA TUSSLE

WILL BE TOUGH ALLIED PLANS For Large Scale Offensive LONDON. Nov. 25. The Allied communique on Tuesday on operations in Tunisia stated: “Local engagements are reported bv forward troops of the Allied forces. French patrols report continued ac tivity in the southern sector also an Allied force and paratroops unit re pulsed an enemy mechanised column and captured prisoners. Our fighters shot down four enemy aircraft and attacked an enemy troop train near Qabes. Bombers have carried out night raids on Bizerta and Tunis None of our aeroplanes is missins from these operations.” The sinking by air action of a small enemy ship off the southern coast of Tunis is reported. Near Qabes a train carrying Axis troops was attacked by Allied aircraft Algiers wireless stated that violent combats are taking place in central Tunisia. Allied paratroops occupied an important aerodrome, repelled enemy attacks and took prisoners. In 'Tunisia the Allies’ immediate tasks are connected in landing and massing large' quantities of equipment, as well as men, for the drive against the strong enemy forces, which are certain to be encountered. It appears that air power at this stage is the dominating factor, and without adequate air resources, the Allies are not likely to commit the ground forces to a full assault. The enemy ground force strength in and around Tunisian ports is uncertain, but no doubt, is felt that a large movement, of enemy air forces has taken pace overland to the Mediterranean, and these are well placed in the triangle. Sicily. Sardinia and Tunis, to operate against the Allied forward troops. This development, was expected and it is recalled that the attack from Egypt and the landings in North-west Africa were intended to divert German forces from the Russian front. White House announced receipt of a message from the Sultan of Morocco, informing Mr Roosevelt that this country had been forced to defend itself, 'owing to its agreement with France, when the United States troops first landed but “when the cessation of hostilities had been ordered and the commander of your troops affirmed they did not come as enemies, but as liberators, and when they had given us tangible proof of their friendly methods we had faith in their agreement.” /

TUNISIA THE VITAL THEATRE. (Rec. 9.30) LONDON, Nov. 25. A Berlin despatch, received m Madrid, says: “The vital theatre of operations has shifted from Libya to Tunisia. AXIS TRIPOLI UNITS. ATTEMPTING TO ENTER TUNISIA. LONDON, Nov. 25. The Moscow radio states: French troops in Tunisia are fanning out to the southwards so as to intercept Axis units which are attempting to cross from Tropolitania into Tunisia. U.S. AIR CHIEF MISSING (Rec. 7.20) WASHINGTON, Nov. 25. The U.S. War Department has announced that Brigadier General A. S A Duncan, the Chief of the United States Air Staff for the European theatre operations has been missing for eight days. General Duncan’s plane disanneared off the north coast of France’when it was en route from England to North Africa. Enemy Opposition Grows

HARD STRUGGLE IN PROSPECT. (Rec. 10.15) LONDON, Nov. 25. The “Daily Mail” in a leading article says' "It has become clear that there will be no Allied walkover in Tunisia. Warnings have been given here, and elsewhere, that we will not turn the Axis out ot Tunisia without a hard struggle. These warnings are being justified. General Anderson’s advance must be conditioned by rapidly-growing, but not unexpected, opposition from the Germans.” s ENEMY’S HEAVY REINFORCEMENT. [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Rec. 10.15) LONDON, Nov. 25.. According to the Morocco radio, General Anderson is on the point oi launching a large-scale offensive against Tunis and Bizerta. Allied official sources in North Africa, however, are reticent. . Press correspondents at the Allied Headquarters continue to emphasise that secrecy is imposed on them m reference <t'o movements of the British First Army and of American forces. One" press correspondent stated: “General Eisenhower, with characteristic thoroughness, is planning everything to the last detail. Nothing has been left to 'chance. The stakes are too great for that.” TANKS, PLANES'AND GUNS. ! (Rec. 10.55) LONDON, Nov. 25. The German radio says: the strengthening of the German and Italian forces in Tunisia is proceeding rapidly. Reinforcements include air forces, tanks, assault guns, and mechanised units, which can operate over a large area; GERMAN INTENTION. TO HOLD TUNISIA AT ALL COSTS. (Rec. 10.55) LONDON, Nov. 25. A special correspondent of the “Dailv Mail’’ at Madrid says: A German intention to sacrifice even Tripoli and to concentrate all strength to hold the Tunisian Peninsula is daily becoming more evident Reports from Algiers indicate that the Germans are piling up ngntei and bomber planes inside of the fortified zone of Bizerta and of Tunis in a determination to secure total air supremacy over Tunisia. Axis military commentators state that it would be impossible to seal the Sicilian Channel from Tripoli, but this is quite possible from Bizerta. If Germany maintains a hold on Tunisia, the Axis will, n T time have completely divided the Mediterranean Sea into two zones.

Latest News

.BATTLE FOR BIZERTA STARED

(Rec. 11.20.) LONDON, Nov. 26. The Algiers radio stated: There is fighting for the mountain pass which is considered a kev position, southwest of Bizerta. With this, the battle for Bizerta has entered its first

phase. _ ... , The Morocco radio says: British

columns on the coastal road are advancing towards Bizerta. Vichy radio says: Allied forces are now only twenty-two miles from Tunis.

The Paris radio refers to violent fighting for highways leading through the mountains, and also for railways. The Algiers radio says:. British reinforcements and technical troops have been flown from Algiers to an important height in Tunisia. A struggle for the mastery of tho air rages without abatement. Axis ’planes in the teeth of violent anti-aircraft fire, again raided Bing, last night. The Paris radio says: A United Stated Military Mission with Fighting French representatives has arrived at Dakar. It took control of the port, warships and coastal defences. MORE AXIS REINFORCEMENTS. (Rec. 11.30.) LONDON, Nov. 26. Vichy radio says: Large-scale Axis reinforcements and supplies are reaching Tunisia. They include armoured divisions, which are employed to link up strong points that have been established throughout Tunisia. Admiral Darlan’s Part ADVANTAGES FOR ALLIES OPPOSITION OF SOME FRENCH ELEMENTS. LONDON. Nov. 25. The Foreign Secretary (Mr Eden) made a statement in the House of Commons as to a postponement of a proposed broadcast by General de Gaulle. He said that an extremely critical phase had been reached in North Africa. "This is no time for discussing the arrangements which are being made in North Africa between Lieutenant-General Eisenhower and the local French authorities,” said Mr Eden. The First Army strongJy supported by United States forces, was making its way eastward with the utmost speed, greatly helped by the attitude of the French and the resistance of French forces to the Germans. Mr Eden added a reminder that the North African expedition was under United States command. “The Times” says: “The French Empire, rich in human material and resources, and unique in strategic importance, is back where it always oelonged. The days of the great betrayal are gone. The final authority which can speak and act in the name of France, one and indivisible, has yet to declare itself. The political measures which have ranged French territory of North Africa and West Africa against the Axis are rightly to be regarded as provisional. ’ Amid uncertainty which still clouds the political situation in the French Empire, certain broad facts are seen in London to stand out from recent events. Whatever the means of achievement, the French' colonies are given the chance of renewed action and can now assist in a rebirth ot Metropolitan France. "Mr Eden stated in Parliament that as far as he knew, all the British interned in French North Africa had been released. Cheers greeted his announcement that arrangements were being made for their early repatriation to Britain. He said he had no information showing the attitude of the authorities of French Somaliland and Djibuti to recent events in French North Africa. The Boston paper "Christian Science Monitor” correspondent on the French frontier says: Although Allied successes in North Africa have encouraged the French people’s bitter fight at home, Allied acceptance of Admiral Darlan confused the French in France, and made them easier victims to Vichy snobbery. This anxiety is not limited to the de Gaullists, but is rooted amongst broad masses of which an articulate section express the opinion that the military advantages which General Eisenhower has attributed to the acceptance of Admiral Darlan, are outweighed by definite military disadvantages. 'Collaboration with Darlan has considerably dampened pro-Al-lied fervour in French North Africa, resulting in General Giraud’s inability to call over 12 per cent, of the French North African army to his colours. The London “Standard” stated:— According to reports reaching England. Jacques Doriot. the French Nazi leader, is dead. There is no official confirmation in London, but the circumstantial evidence is regarded as very strong. Doriot was i eported to have been attacked on November 21 and was admitted to hospital with four broken ribs and an eye injury. The Axis radio on Tuesday broadcast a speech stated to be by Doriot, but this was probably a recording. Doriot planned to oust Laval, and to rule France with a private army of 20,000 thugs enrolled from the streets of Paris, and then to declare war on the Allies and raise an army to fight beside the Germans in North Africa. Pierre Bloch, a Socialist Deputy, who has just escaped from France, said that Doriot was a protege of Himmler. Doriot was the man the Nazis wanted.

The British United Press Agency says: The Havas Agency stated that the authorities in Paris have begun an “eat more rats” campaign. One member of the Academy of Medicine Paris, declared that rats are edible, even better than pork or rabbit. If the public were informed of the quality of rat meat, they would be able to increase their meat ration and simultaneously help in the destruction of this pest. According to German reports the Germans are fortifying the south of France and have moved into the portarea of Marseilles.

Darlan’s Wish TO EXPLAIN HIS POSITION. AT LONDON AND WASHINGTON. (Rec. 9.30) LONDON, Nov. 20. The “Daily Mail’s” Madrid correspondent says: Admiral Darlan is anxious to send to London a mission composed of high ranking staff officers in order to discuss the North African situation and to give the reasons for his own past actions and to explain his future plans. Admiral Darlan hopes that the delegates would then go on to Washington and there discuss Lease.-Lend purpose for me building of a ' large French Colonial Army, and of providing food supplies for the North African population.

French Naval Losses IN ALLIED INVASION.

DOZEN WARSHIPS AND 1179 CASUALTIES. (Rec. 10.40) VICHY, Nov. 25. The Admiralty here provisionally lists twelve French warships that were put out of action at Casablanca. The Admiralty mentions 'the battleship Jean Bart, the Primauguet, four destroyers, two torpedo-boats. tOUI submarines. It also records three torpedoboats as having been beached, and one sunk at Oran. The losses of personnel given are as follows: Killed, 49 officers and 450 ratings; wounded 29 officers and 641 ratings. MARTINIQUE CONSCRIPTS. (Rec. 11.10.) NEW YORK, Nov. 25. The Martinique, French West Africa radio, has instructed all men born in the year 1923, to- appear before the authorities and to give information for the establishment of a list of those eligible for a military class for 1943.