ROMMEL IN STRATEGICAL TROUBLE

Grey River Argus, 30 March 1943, Page 5

ROMMEL IN STRATEGICAL TROUBLE

LARGE FORCES NOW IN A SACK

Allied Armies All Progressing

[Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, March 28. The Eighth Army has completely regained the initiative in the El Hamma area and has pressed into towns on the outskirts where fierce lighting continues. Algiers radio says: The Eighth Army made new progress on the Mareth Line, and also towards El Hamma. Captain Sertorius, German radio commentator, says: The enemy has launched new attacks. The second round of the battle of Tunisia ha? begun. LONDON, March 29. The Algiers radio reported early to-day that the Eighth Army had made new progress in the Mareth Line area, and also south-east of the Mareth Line, near the Wadi Zigzou to within nine miles of the sea. The Germans and Italians are being methodically pushed back to the sea. "The thrusts of the Eighth Army towards El Hamma, which means an advance of about ten miles, can be considered as a most successful operation,” states a war correspondent with the Allied Forces Headquarters. “Our troops are now pressing the enemy, who continues to fight every inch of the ground on the outskirts of the town. Fighting is now taking place on both sides of the town which gave its name to the Mareth Line. Prisoners have been taken during this battle. Saturday’s North African communique said: “Operations on the Eighth Army front continued on Friday with satisfactory results. In one sector our forces carried out a successful attack, and operations are proceeding according to plan, in spite of stiff enemy resistance. Many prisoners were taken. In the Gafsa and Maknassi sectors there was local activity. No major attacks developed.” Rommel so far shows no signs of pulling out from the Mareth Line, but the threats against him are all there. The Axis, though driven back, are by no means broken and progress over the next 16 miles to Gabes is likel to be as hard-fought as last week’s gains. Reuter’s Algiers correspondent says that for the first time for several days mention is made in a communique of a particular area in the Mareth fighting. Reference to advances south-west of Mareth indicates that the fighting has taken a new direction. The main weight of the Eighth Army’s attack was, hitherto, rather north-eastwards of Mareth near the coast. General Montgomery followed the pattern of the El Alamein attack when the thrust near the coast, which was fiercely resisted, was followed by the push in the south. The weather continues to be reasonably good but a high wind is rising in the battle zone, and dust clouds are beginning to swirl. Berlin stated strong formations of tanks and motorised units on Friday succeeded in penetrating the Axis advanced line, but the Germans closed the gap with particularly heavy losses. The Axis losses were also considerable. AFRIKA CORPS. IN AWKWARD POSITION. (Rec. 11.40.) NEW YORK, March 28. Mr Cyrus Sulzezerger, in the New York Times says: A powerful British Imperial Force has advanced ten miles through hills to El Hamma, sixteen miles due west of Gabes, placing the Afrika Korps in at best an uncomfortable position and at worst a critical one. A large portion of the Afrika Korps is still locked with troops south, south-east and southwest of Gabes—El Hamma line. These at the same time are menaced by ever-increasing pressure from the north-west. Marshal Rommel is bound to find himself in an unenviable spot. . He adds: “Marshal Rommel is bound to receive a bad drubbing from formidable Allied artillery and from a constant stream of bombers and fighters that are at present concentrating on this increasingly limited area Rommel’s forces south of Gabes are in the position of a pearshaped sack, with the neck narrowed to a sixteen mile gap, between El Hamma and Gabes, and with the Western Desert Air Force steadily hammering both the neck and bod> of the bag. Rommel finds himself in an unenviable spot.”

GENERAL ALLIED GAINS. air attack maintained. LONDON, March 28. Algiers radio stated: Allied troops are advancing everywhere, laccording to General Montgomery s and General Eisenhower’s plans, said the Igiers radio, which added that they are masters of the land and the air. The Allied air forces are manit’aining a concentrated pounding of enemy areas. It is announced from Cairo that five big fires were started in the Gabes area on Friday night among oil tanks and railway sidings and that bombers also damaged gun positions near Gabes and vehicles on the 1 roads north and south of the town. General Montgomery has sent a message to Air Vice-Marshal Broadhurst, Commanding the Allied Air Forces in the Western Desert, expressing his great appreciation of the Air Forces’ superb support: “Such intimate and close support has never reviously been achieved. It has been an insiration to all our troops.’’ » The “Daily Mail’s’’ Algiers correspondent says that New Zealand troops said they had never had such close air operations. R.A.F. Headquarters in the Middle East states: “Our figthers destroyed a J.U. 88 some distance out to sea north of Port Said yesterday.” A message from Nicosia states that an unidentified aircraft flew over Cyprus at a considerable height yesterday.

MARETH BATTLE. (Rec. 12.10.) NEW YORK, March 28. My Cyrus Sultz-Berger stated in the “New York Times”: “The Eighth Army has kept up a constant thumping against strong German positions south-west of Mareth. EIGHTH ARMY ADVANCE. (Rec. 12.5.) LONDON, March 29. It is reported that the Eighth Army has advanced south-west of Mareth. ALLIED AIR SUPPORT. COMMANDER’S THANKS. (Rec. 11.10.) RUGBY, March .29. General Montgomery sent a message to Air Marshal Broadhurst expressing appreciation of the. superb support in the land battle given bv the air forces. He said: “Such inti-

mate close support has never in my knowledge been achieved before, and it has been an inspiration to all of the troops. The results have been firstclass.” The message tended thanks “for a truly magnificent effort” THE NEWS BETTER. (Rec. 12.10.) NEW YORK, March 28. Mr Cyrus Sulze-Berger, in the “New York Times” says: fine news of the Tunisian operations is the best in recent days, and there is a rising tide of optimism, in spite of a realisation that much bitter fighting against a skilled enemy remains before any sensational victories can be achieved.” El Hamma Struggle ENEMY RETIRES. LONDON, March 28. An official announcement from Algiers says the enemy have been compelled, to withdraw in the El Hamma area, and the Eighth Army has reached the outskirts of the town. Fierce fighting is continuing. Other units of the Eighth Army have advanced south-west of Mareth and taken prisoners. ■- . The attack on El Hamma was launched at dawn yesterday. The all-day battle which followed was the culmination of weeks of unbroken fighting in which the Allied Air Forces have played a considerable P Algiers radio stated: The Eighth Army is now advancing into the suburbs of El Hamma. The Berlin radio claimed that the British attacks against El Hamma had halted. It added that operations were continuing round El Hamma. The Berlin radio last night admitted that the Axis forces had been compelled to retire in both these sectors. A North African communique says: On the Eighth Army front, fierce fighting continues in the El Hamma area. Yesterday our troops continued their pressure on the enemy who was compelled to withi draw to new positions and our Forces pressed' on to the south-west of Mareth. Prisoners were taken. ' The German withdrawal in the El Hamma area of Southern Tunisia may involve a slight shortening of the bottle-neck through which any eventual withdrawal of enemy- troops northwards may be expected to take place. But the communications to date give no sign of such a withdrawal and the near future may hold nothing spectacular. The fact that the armies engaged are as highly skilled and trained and as well armed as any in history may make the battle long. But if the enemy eventually decided to withdraw -they would have to show great skill. A withdrawal would presumably take place along the coast road stretching 150 miles up to Susa and Marshal Von Rommel would have to keep four strong flank guards on the road from Bl Guettar, Maknassi, Faid and Fondouk. The Germans, however appear to be still well out on all foul’ raids and there is no sign of an imminent withdrawal.”

TERRIFIC ALLIED AIR BLITZ. FGHTING CONTINUES RELENTLESSLY. (Rec. 12.20.) LONDON, March 29. Fighting continues relentlessly in the El Hamma sector. The heaviest and most concentrated attack that the Allied air force has ever delivered in support of ground operations was unleashed against the Axis troops in the El Hamma area at 3.30 on Friday afternoon. It lasted till 6 p.m. It averaged one heavy attack every quarter of an hour. Light bombers attacked three times. Then large formations of fighter-bombers bombed and strafed the enemy seven times. The enemy retreated. British troops broke through, and the attack was switched to the road north of El Hamma, where from eighty to one hundred vehicles were destroyed, and two hundred were damaged on a conservative estimate.

American Success fonndouk taken. LONDON, March 27. The Algiers radio said: American forces advanced in the Gafsa area and' also north-east of Maknassi, where they turned beak a light infantry attack. Scarcely a single German plane was seen in the air since Friday. LONDON, March 28. An official Allied report stated the Americans have occupied Fonndouk. The Americans have created a promising situation by the capture 01 Fonndouk. They are now through the mountains of central Tunisia and stand at the very edge of the plain forming a corridor for the Axis troops resisting the Eighth Army. American infantry attacking from the direction of Medjebelaouin at dawn yesterday, covered 17 miles and captured Fonndouk at night after encountering slight opposition. The Columbia Broadcasting System’s Algiers correspondent says that the American forces are gradually advancing north of El Hamma towards Susa. . Berlin radio says that the Axis forces are engaged in heavy defensive fighting eastwards of Maknassi. The Germans, in hard, fluctuating fighting on Saturday, recaptured an important hill position. Pommel's units east of Maknassi had a hard time repelling American attacks. The German News Agency says' American attacks south of Pichon, in the direction of Kairwan, collapsed with bloody losses. . A war correspondent 'states: A successful operation was carried out in the central sector by American troops, who. switching further north of Gafsa-Maknassi Road, launched a strong infantry attack at down and captured Fondouk with hardly any loss and the Axis troops offering only slight opposition.” ' The Algiers radio says that the Americans hvae resumed their drive towards the coast from Maknassi. Earlier reports spoke of an American attack further north, from Pichon, towards Fonndouk, which is about 70 miles north of Maknassi. Northern Sector LONDON, March 28. The First Army has launched an attack in the Dejebel Abiod area, and has reached all objectives. . The faint stirring observed in the far north in the past' two or three days has become a small action. The British are now restoring the position in the Djebel Abiod area, which Is the most-threatened sector. The enemy’s recognition of his advantageous position in this sector is indicated by the strength of the resist-

ancc to the British attack. Beilin radio says Axis forces m northern Tunisia repulsed strong British thrusts at several points, particularly in the Medjezelbab area. Lively fighting developed bn the north Tunisian coast, during which the Germans in the Zuara sector evacuated advanced positions because they were under the British artillery’s flanking fire. FRENCH PROGRESS. LONDON, March 28. French forces under General le Clerc on the left flank of the Mareth positions have occupied important heights. A French communique says: Our northern patrols have reached the slopes of the eastern heights of the Ousseltia Plain without serious enemy reaction. Our camel corps occupied two places commanding the Kebili area. ITALIAN GENERAL KILLED. LONDON. March 29. The Rome radio says that General Pizzolato, Commander of the Laspezla Airborne Division has been, killed on the Tunisian front. In Wake of N.Z. Division TRIPOLI, March 25. It is no easy job to catch up with the mobile New Zealanders once they have a few days’ start, fihey . can move with such secrecy and rapidity that initiative is sometimes taxed to the fullest to locate their whereabouts. Experience has shown that when there is a move imminent it is best to-be on the spot. Individual travel by truck or car until the more forward areas are reached is comparatively simple, but once these areas are passed you are left to your own devices. One usually starts by setting out to find the New Zealand axis track, and when this is located the chase begins, the corps has told you the New Zealanders’ position of the previous day, but you know- they’ve probably moved during the night. You race across dusty tracks, gloomily surveying the great, vacant expanse. The New Zealanders are in the back of beyond, and there’s no marked track till you strike the Divisional axis. There’s been a lot of traffic along here, but there’s no traffic now. However, it 'should lead somewhere. As you set off again you eye the desert anxiously, hoping you’re on the right track. A truck with a New Zealander at the wheel lumbers by in a cloud of dust before you have time to stop it and question the driver, but you know then yotir direction is, right—but for how long There is only one thing to do, and that is to keep going. Then come more New Zealand supply trucks, so all’s well. Eventually you come to a cluster of trucks on the track-side and ask how far it is to the Division. “Don’t know,” is the reply. “They left here last night.” It’s almost dark and there is no moon, so you decide to bed down for. the night. The Division will probably move again to-night. You think you can catch them to-morrow by travelling fast. You’re up and away soon after breakfast, and in a few more hours you are on them—the tail-end, anyway.

CONTROL OF FRENCH AFRICA ALGIERS, March 27. General Catroux conferred with General Giraud. reviewing the French position throughout the world. General Giraud has appointed M. Rene Mayer as Secretary for Cbmmunicatipns. He will co-ordinate ail methods of transport. M. Mayer tor ten years was a member of the French Cabinet. Later he became a railway company vice-president. He went to London at the outbreak ot the war as chairman of the interAfiied Executive Committee for Armaments and Raw Materials. De Gaulle’s Plea FOR UNITY OF FRANCE. 8.0.W. RUGBY, March 26. Broadcasting to-night, General de Gaulle said: “I am going to North Africa very shortly.” After referring- to the dissensions and even fratricidal blows which had aggravated France’s misfortunes in this as in previous wars, General de Gaulle said: “In the name of all those of our people who, publicly or secretly, have pledged their faith in Fighting France, and, alive to the [grave responsibility which this conjfidence has imposed upon me, I shall As a Frenchman meet in North /Africa other Frenchmen.

“First of all I shall see General Giraud, a great soldier and figure. Together,' loyally and in a friendly spirit, we shall seek and we shall find means to ensure that the French Empire shall be but one empire, French strength but one strength, that the voice of the French people' who fight shall be heard in the world as one voice, and, above all, that this voice and this strength shall be those desired by the nation. “We have reached one of the greatest hours of our long and difficult history. Let the flame of our ancestors arise to reanimate our race. Let it devour al] that remains of our doubts and our rancour. Let it once more join all of us for better or for worse. Oui’ duty lies in national unity.”

GENERAL NOGUES ALGIERS. March 19. General Nogues, in a congratulatory message to General Giraud, declared that Giraud’s speech w'ent straight to the heart of all Frenchmen in Morocco. He added: “The effect on the population is consider-, able. Your words answer’ with clarity the questions put by many among ms, on the meaning of your mission; also the political future of France, and the unity of the French Empire. Under your leadership the French people are again fighting against the enemy.” It is pointed out that General Nogues’ testimonial to General Giraud’s policy is significant, as coming from one who opposed the American landing at Casablanca, and who never has previously publicly disclaimed Petainist loyalties.