ADVANCE ON TRIPOLI

Grey River Argus, 22 January 1943, Page 5

ADVANCE ON TRIPOLI

By Eighth Army IN TWO COLUMNS. REPORTED ENTRY TO SUBURBS. [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, Jan. 20. Reuter’s News Agency quotes an Axis radio report that Eighth Army advance units in a lightning advance, have penetrated suburbs of Dapon, and that they are in flames. ihe Moscow radio said Marshal Von Rommel had begun to embark troops from Tripoli, while the Paris radio said British paratroops had landed behind Marshal Rommel’s Afrika Korps to harass his communications. The British communique on luesaay at Cairo stated: On Monday our forces continued pressure on the enemy to the north-west, and bv evening were closing in on Homs and larhuna. During the operations we captured prisoners and vehicles.” ~. A News Agency correspondent said. The Eighth Army encountered little opposition during the day. though the country is becoming more dimcult as the too of Hebei is approached. Rommel appears to be speeding up his withdrawal. and there were no tame clashes on Mondav. The number oi mines the enemy is leaving is also reported to be smaller than in the past. ... , , One part of the British force is moving towards Tripoli along the coast, and another is taking the inland route from Tarhuna. Land fighting is now taking place for the first time in townships occupied by Axis civil populations, who see the Afrika Korns streaming past them in retreat. The countrv from now on lends itself better to defence. If Tripoli falls the country to the; west of it may provide Marshal Rommel with an opportunity to makei a stand. The British Cairo communique on Tuesday said that Allied aircraft were attacking the retreating enemy west of Tarpuna. In an attack on Castel Benito aerodrome large fires were caused, and grounded aircraft were destroyed. Torpedo-carrying aircraft attacked a large enemy ship west of Tripoli, and left it sinking.. The harbour at Tripoli was bombed, and a similar attack was made at Sousse. Three enemy fighters were shot down. Four Allied aircraft are missing.