IN TUNISIA

Grey River Argus, 11 January 1943, Page 1

IN TUNISIA

ENEMY REINFORCING LONDON, January 8. “There is a general impression among well-informed circles in London that although the Allied air forces in North Africa outnumber the Germans and Italians several limes over, they have been deprived for the time being, of a chance of playing a decisive part in the Tunisian battle,” states the aeronautical correspondent of the “Daily Mail.” “The lack of aerodromes sufficiently near Bizerta and Tunis to permit an air attack in crushing strength and rentinued bad weather are responsible. The hobbling of our air forces is a serious setback. Lt means a more prolonged and more expensive campaign and it throws greatly increased responsibility on the ground forces.

“It is fairly certain that, the campaign might have been won in a fortnight if Lieutenant. General Anderson had been able to hold the heights overlooking Bizerta and Tunis, which were actually reached in the first advance. It seems probable that Lieutenant General Anderson, at one time held the vital J(-iieic.a aerodrome. There is approximately 100 miles of rough country between Jedeida and the most forward Allied aerodrome which is capable of accommodating modern warplanes. The present almost continuous rain which is flooding the aerodromes and army camps may continue well into February.” “The United Nations are losing precious time in North Africa,” states the military correspondent of the

•'Daily Express,” who points out that a great quantity of valuable shipping will be tied up in supplying the North African force until the Germans and Italians are cleared from Africa. An easement of the shipping pcs'tion through the reopemnji of the .Mediterranean has also been postponed.” The correspondent adds: ‘Hitler probably argued that if he can continue this state of affairs well into the summer, the Allies will have insufficient shipping to mount an attack against Western Europe.” Stating that rain and mud which can be expected to last at least until March are given as the causes of the Ist Army’s hold-up in Tunisia, “Strategicus” in the “Spectator" observes: “No one imagines that the .weather in Russia is exactly stimulating.” Be that as it may, all reports from Tunisia confirm reports of heavy rain and seas of mud which are also affecting aerodromes.lf the weather holds' 'up the British offensive until March, Hitler will gain valuable time for building up his forces in Tun’sia and for building fortresses in Europe against invasion. Altogether the North African picture does not appear as rosy as it did last month and with the Bth Army making slower progress, largely duo to the long lines of communication, it may be dull for some time.

If; is expected that Mr. Churchill rnav comment, on the Tunisian situation when Parliament returns from the recess.

HEIGHTS LOST BY BRITISH.

LONDON, Jan. 8.

Details of the action in which the enemy yesterday , dislodged Britisn troops from positions fifteen miles east of Mateur, in 5 unisia, which were captured on the previous day are given by a correspondent at Allied Force Headquarters.

“The Germans succeeded in dislodging an infantry battalion holdin°- the Jebel Assig Ridge and they also retook a hill nirther north which commandos had captured,” he states. “Our troops fought hard to regain the hills, but against a strong cross-fire (and rafter bard fighting throughout the day, they withdrew under cover of darkness. Royal Air Force l fighters, and Hurricane bombers gave our troops active support, attacking infantry and batterries and machine-gunning enemy troops. The tangled skein of French politics, the First Army’s slow progress and growing annoyance at the censorship of news are all combining to produce a mood of dissatisfaction and uneasiness. Any official hopes that delicate negotiations would produce acceptable results so far have not been realised.