GERMAN ADVANCE

Grey River Argus, 22 January 1943, Page 5

GERMAN ADVANCE

In Tunisia POWERFUL FORCES ATTACK. LONDON, Jan. 20. In Tunisia action is reported on the central front, where powerful German forces have attacked at the point where the British and French lines join. . Ar Allied Headquarters in North Africa state: “Minor engagements continue in the Bouarada-Goubellat areas. . “Enemy forces moving south-west from Pont du Fahs penetrated about seven miles. One advancing column was attacked by Spitfires. “Our bombers attacked roads ana railroads in the area of Tunis and Susa on Monday night. “Yesterday, Flying Fortresses attacked th e Tunis area, obtaining hits on industrial targets and railway yards. P. 38 ’planes attacked a column of enemy vehicles near the Tunisian frontier, destroying about 20. “One enemy bomber was destroyed on Monday night. From all these operations two of our aircraft are missing.” Another report stated: Germans were driven out of an area which they occupied earlier. The Germans are trying to gam command of (he high ground which forms a barrier to the coastal strip of Tunisia.

The enemy is reported to be increasing his pressure against the French position south-west of Pont du Fahs. Employing tanks, supported by aircraft, he, yesterday, succeeded in penetrating 7 miles on the road from Pont du Fahs The French are putting up a fierce resistance. The objective of the German attack, a correspondent states, would be to drive the Allies from all the high ground in this area in order to prevent any Allied attack on the important ports of Susa and Sfar, or to make absolutely certain that the corridor to northern Tunisia through which Marshal Von Rommel’s army may pass is kept unthreatened. Hurricane bombers and Spitfires effectively co-operated with the ground troops in attacking the enemy forces attacking the French, and on one part of the road Rurricanes bombed and Spitfires shot up a column of twenty vehicles and 400 troops. Axis activity in the Bou AradaGouballat area in Tunis is associated in London with Marshal Rommel’s retreat, and it is thought that it is designed to hinder co-operation betweeji the First and Eighth Armies

Axis Advance STOPPED AFTER SEVEN MILES. (Rec. 11.30.) LONDON, Jan. 20. A military spokesman ait Algiers commented on the Axis penetration south-westwards of Pont du Fahs, south of Tunis. He stated: Allied air and artillery action over the Pont du Fash-Bourarada Road, covering a French retreat, limited the German movement to a single south-western drive.’ The Axis forces suffered sizeable losses in equipment and tanks, out of all proportion to the value of the attack. The British United Press Algiers correspondent says: “In order to counter the German tank column’s seven mil e thrust. British forces tonight are trying to gain control of the hills eastward of aj road running south from Pont du Fahs, so as to bring it under artillery fire. British held positions had already dominated a road running westwards'from Pont du Fahs. The German tank column is meeting heavy artillery resistance. The French Army is offering rewards for native saboteurs. The Germans are dropping these saboteurs by parachute. The Algiers correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain, says: The Axis forces are doing their utmost to perfect the defences of their present lines. They are arming every promising summit with guns. These guns already . have several times forced Allied forces to give up objectives. GENERAL VON ARNIN. TAKES COMMAND IN TUNISIA. (Rec. 11.30.) LONDON. Jan. 21. It has officially been confirmed that the tank expert, General Von Arnin, has succeeded General Nehring in the command in Tunisia.

13 Enemy Ships Sunk IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. 8.0.W. > RUGBY, Jan. 20. British destroyers have sunk 13 enemy ships in the Mediterranean in the past three days. There were no casualties or damage to our ships Ten of the thirteen ships sunk were intercepted and destroyed off the coast of Tunisia. One of our submarines has sunk a supply ship and damaged two others. Another.. British submarine torpedoed a large enemy vessel, but the extent of the damage could not be seen.