NEW OFFENSIVE IN TUNISIA

Grey River Argus, 6 April 1943, Page 5

NEW OFFENSIVE IN TUNISIA

ABOUT TO BE STARTED BY EIGHTH ARMY AMERICANS RESUME THEIR ATTACK French Success in the North

[Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, April 4. The second of the only two major land actions in Tunisia in the last 24 hours has been a drive by American troops in the El Guetar area in the south centre sector. American infantry smashed through the Bimrabott Pass, 14 miles eastward of El Guetar, to join the Bth Army forces moving westward along the Gabes-Gafsa road. The communique from Allied Headquarters in North Africa stated: In the area east of El Guetar two United States corps gained further ground in one successful attack m which a number of the enemy were filled and prisoners taken. • More than 20 mortars were captured. It has now been established that a considerable number of German tanks were destroyed or damaged by artillery fire in this sector. The grim struggle ahead in Tunisia for the passes in the mountain barrier to the coastal plain is emphaised by correspondents. In the southern part of the barrier United States forces are reported to be moving ahead slowly east of El Guetar. According to a report from one correspondent sappers made a gap in the German minefields and the American tanks went through. The Germans immediately counter-attacked with heavy tank forces, and the American tanks withdrew. United States forces are fortifying positions in the Fonndouk Pass area. One press agency report says American forces in this area have pulled back slightly. Other parts of the Tunisian front are described as “relatively quiet.” General Patton’s American Second Corps, despite the difficulties of the terrain and extensive minefields are persisting with the drive from El Guetar to link with General Montgomery. Reuter reports that the Americans' captured more than 30 mortars, which are valuable prizes because mortars are one of the most deadly and most accurate weapons the Germans are using against infantry. When the Germans’ called in the Luftwaffe the Americans had the further joy of seeing nearly a whole Sfuka formation fall from the sky. The Luftwaffe threw in about 20 Stukas, which American-manned Spitfires intercepted ten,, miles south of El ‘ Guetar. Fourteen German fighters were in the vicinit" but only one attempted to support the Stukqs and he was driven off. The Spitfires, in a running fight, knocked down 14 Stukas, two Americans pilots shooting down three each. Algiers radio to-night reported Americans had advanced, killing many Germans, taking prisoners and destroying or capturing a large number of tanks. The radio added that Axis forces had launched powerful tank-supported counter-attacks but ■ that these were all repulsed, after which the Americans gained ground.

The German News Agency reports heavy swaying battles east of Maknassi, where the Americans are attempting to debouch to the plains. ' A press correspondent at Allied Headquarters on Saturday broadcast as follows: Rommel has two main objectives. He wants to prevent a junction of the Sth and Ist Armies as long as he can, which is why the fighting east of Gafsa is so bitter. Here the 2nd American Corps is pressing on towards the coast towards the Bth Army. Rommel has diverted considerable strength to hold up the Americans and he is making the way very difficult for them, with dense minefields and with the greatest resolution. Another factor in the situation is that Rommel cannot afford to let the British Ist Army make progress across the coastal plain to the sea anywhere if-he can help it. Rommel holds the ridge of mountains running north and south, forming a barrier to the coastal plain, and he has done his best to block up all the passes through which we might break. That is why there has also been tough fighting at the Fonndouk pass, which the Americans captured the other day, though they have not yet taken the ground south of it. It is the same in the Ousseltia valley, where the 19th French Corps pushed across the valley. They have advanced outposts four miles east of Ousseltia. It is a bitter struggle with the nut-crackers of the Bth and Ist Armies squeezing Rommel and Rommel determined to keep the coastal plain open as long as he possibly can.” . _ ... ? The correspondent of the Bntisn United Press with the Americans east of El Guetar reported that crack German troops entrenched in a labyrinth of underground fortifications on a hillside on one sector were still, barring the American advance, but the encirclement threat to these Germans is growing. Despite the bad weather the Allies elsewhere are probing the Axis lines and regrouping. The Germans, nervous of the Allied thrusts which threaten to infiltrate’; from the mountains to the coastal plain, are either counter-attacking or heavily bombarding the Allied positions. The French in the Pichon area have repulsed two tank attacks.

French Success CAP SpRRAT CAPTURED ALLIES GAIN NORTH COAST ANCHOR. LONDON, April 4. There is a comparative lull at present. on the Tunisian front. One of the only two major land actions in the 24 hours up to Sunday night has been the capture by French Moroccan troops of the town of Cap Serrat. 40 miles west of Bizerta. So far there are no reports of German resistance at Cap Serrat. Dispatches from the front line emphasise that the occupation of Cap Serrat is valuable because it anchors the Allied line to the sea coast. The Germans are apparently retreating hastily, leaving ammunition dumps and supplies undestroyed. A French North African communique states: North of Sedjenane, our troops continued the methodical advance and mopping up operations. Cap Serrat was occupied. In' the central sector, there was patrol activity. South-west of Pichon, our artillery repelled two enemy local attacks, which were supported by tanks. In the southern sector, our units are in close contact with the enemy, and there was intense patrol activity by both sides. One of our patrols captured prisoners. Cap Serrat on the northern coast of Tunisia, is about 35 mile's west of Bizerta.

Eighth Army LONDON, April 4. An Allied communique stated that there has been patrol activity by the Eighth Army. It carried out additional concentrations in the Oudref area. British assault divisions pusned spearheads towards Rommel s defences after clearing extensive minefield 3 , . X British and New Zealand troops in the vanguard of the Sth Army still hold the initiative and active patrolling is reported along the whole front, states the correspondent of the British United Press at Allied Headquarters. General Montgomery may again be resorting to envelopment in order to eject Rommel from the Wadi Akarit, which is the first waterobstacle the Sth Army has encountered during the whole campaign. The Bth Army is now squaring’up to Rommel’s next defensive line which, some sources claim, lies 25 miles north of Gabes. Latest News [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Rec. 12.5 a.m.) LONDON, April 5. The latest despatches from ' 'Tunisia suggest that a resumption of the Eighth Army’s offensive is imminent. Heavy British batteries on Sunday night shelled Marshal Rommel’s rearguard in the coastal sector at Wadi Akarit and Gen. Montgomery; has concentrated powerful tank forces at Oudref, five miles south of Oadi. The American forces, strongly supported by artillery are making a big attack on the Gabes-Gafsa road. They are now thirty-eight miles from the Eighth Army,. , First Army LONDON, April 4. North and east of Sedjenane the British Ist Army is continuing to make progress. Berlin radio previously announced that the Germans had captured mountain positions at Jefna. This is considered tantamount to an admission of retreat, because Jefna is 20 miles east of Sedjenane and 10 miles east of Mateur, and has always been in German hands. ■

The Outlook HEAVY FIGHTING EXPECTED - QUESTION OF ENEMY EVACUATION. LONDON, April 4. Though the Tunisian front is largely quieter, terrific fighting may at any time flare up along the 200 miles battle line. Quietude veils intense Allied preparations for drives aimed either to annihilate the Axis forces or compel their evacuation, giving British and American sea and air power further opportunities for the destruction of the enemy. Forecasting early Allied offensives the German News Agency says the British at Medjezelbab have completed regrouping after the inclusion of the First Infantry Division 'which hitherto had not appeared on the northern front, and that they have been considerably strengthening their artillery. Commenting on a German statement that Rommel had linked up with von Arnim, the “Daily Express” believes that the shortened Axis line will run from Sousse through Pont du Fahs to Bizerta. “While the leaders of the retreat may have reached this line, only a small part of the Afrika Korps proper is there. Rommel is still defending the western flank, to a point near Gabes.” Describing air activity an Allied communique says that fighters were very active in Northern and Central Tunisia, and many raids by enemy fighter pilots were driven off. In the central sector Spitfires on patrol encountered Junkers 87’s and shot down 14 of them. Dust storms limited air activity in the southern sector, but fighter patrols made raids and fight-er-bombers attacked an enemy, airfield. Four Allied aircraft are missing, .but the pilot of one is safe. The possibility of an attempted “Dunkirk” js apparently exercising the minds of the Axis troops. Reuter’s correspondent with the Eighth Army refers to five captured German’ infantrymen independently asking what the British Dunkirk was like. One inquired whether the German bombing there was anything like the Germans are now getting.

Military commentators in London suggest it is too early to expect any Axis “Dunkirk” at present, because the bulk of the Axis troops have escaped from Mareth and, despite their casualties, the Afrika Korps are still a hard nut, although the Allied nutcrackers are steadily if not spectacularly exerting pressure; Nevertheless as the Axis defence area diminishes it is easier to defend, at least until adequate air support for the field armies . is possible; There are yet no signs that such a danger point has been reached and until Rommel is too cramped he will continue fighting delaying actions. Commenting on British naval reinforcements in the Mediterranean, London observers arc speculating whether the Italian Fleet will attempt to assist the evacuation. The Rome correspondent of a Madrid newspaper says, Italians believe the fleet will be used “when the hour has struck.” A Vichj' newspaper infers similarly, saying the fate of Tunisia will be decided between Naples and Bizerta. After a visit to the front, including Gabes. General Giraud said: “The Axis will have to do a ‘Dunkirk.’ There will soon be lots of white caps floating . in the Mediterranean. We are on the road to victory?’ A Columbia Broadcasting System broadcaster said Axis troops are increasingly deserting in significant numbers. Austrians in the northern sector and Italians in the south are coming over, waving our safe conduct leaflets. Reviewing Greek Army units in Cairo, the Greek War Minister (M. Karpanyiots) declared: “It will not be many months before the invasion of Greece is begun.” WAR NEARER TO ITALY (Rec. 6.30) LONDON, April 4. An Italian “pep” talker, Maio Appelius, broadcasting over Rome radio, said: “War is approaching Italian territory. We must prepare for the eventuality of the entire British and

American strength being concentrated against us. Thus, after three years facing the might -of the British Empire, Italy must also take on the United States.” Axis Plans TO STICK IT OUT. (Rec. 12.5.) LONDON, April 5. “It is idle wishfulness to suggest Marshal Rommel will attempt a ‘Dunkirk’ from Tunisia,” says Mr. J. L. Garvin, writing in the “Sunday Express.” “The Axis intends to put up the longest and bitterest fight possible.” “It is thought in London,” says the •“Sunday Express” diplomatic correspondent, “that Hitler might try to rescue the highly trained Afrika Korps from Tunisia, but would probably leave the Italians. It is only a matter of time before we control all of q'unisia, although sporadic fighting mav go On therp for months alter this is achieved.”

ENEMY TANKER SUNK RUGBY, April 4. The Admiralty announces that a large, valuable enemy tanker, fully laden with supplies for the Axis forces in Tunisia, was sunk in the Mediterranean by a submarine finder the command of Lieut. L. M'. McGeoch, R.N. The tanker, which was accompanied by a strong escort of four destroyers, was intercepted oft Trapani, north-west Sicily. The submarine made the attack from close range, and hit the tanker with three torpedoes. A heavy but ineffective counter-attack was made by the destroyers. A submarine, under command of Lieut. R. J. Clutebuck, R.N., carried out a bombardment of oil storage tanks at Imperia, Northern Italy. Shore batteries replied to, the submarine’s fire, but without effect.

N.Z.E.F. Troops ADDRESSED BY MONTGOMERY AND FREYBERG • (N.Z.E.F. War Correspondent) (Rec. 11.40) GABES April 2. The Eighth Army ’ Commander, General Montgomery, spent . to-day among New Zealand forces in the field. He was accompanied by Gen. Freyberg, and visited various units and addressed officers and n.c.o.’s on the operations which drove the enemy from the Mareth Line. Artillery units were addressed \dlose behind their gun positions. General Montgomery’s remarks being punctuated .by the noise of our guns and the screech and burst of enemy shells not tar distant.

Treating the Wounded N.Z CASUALTY CLEARING STATION. (N.Z.E.F. Official Correspondent) (Rec. 11.40) GABES, April 2. Quick and comfortable evacuation of the wounded from battle was effected by the use of air ambulances operating from a landing ground constructed by medical personnel close to the main dressing station. Working with pick and shovel, aided by only one bulldozer, men of the medical service in one day made a landing ground half a mile long ana a honored yards wide. The use of ambulance planes obviated a long rough land journey that would otherwise have been necessary. All stretcher cases were evacuated by this means. The majority went straight to hospital w’ell behind the lines, some through a Ntw Zealand casualty clearing station which has followed close on the heels of the Eighth Army’s advance. Serious abdominal cases which could not be moved after the New Zealanders went forward through the gap remained under the care of the medical company, but these have now all been evacuated by plane. Probably never before in this campaign has air transport been used so extensively for this purpose. Over two hundred wounded prisoners were attended by our medical services, serious cases receiving air evacuation. The landing ground was efficiently operated by members of the field hygiene section. The landing ground received a surprise visit from a Spitfire pilot, who landed with a sharpneb wound in his arm. The back of the pilot’s seat was found on fire. The staff of the evacuation centre .quickly extinguished the fire and attended the pilot’s wound. Within a short time the pilot was again in the air.

The CHEAP, BUT DEADLY WEAPON. (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, April 4. American troops in Britain are confident that their simple, but deadly, secret weapon, nicknamed the 11 bazooka,” and costing oniyi ten shillings, is going 'to give Panzer crews bad headaches. The “bazooka” is a rocket-launcher. It consists of a plain metal cylinder, and weighs only a few pounds. It can be easily carried. Its missle is so destructive that it can penetrate a tank’s armour and make casualties of the crew. The “bazooka” has been used in North Africa with pronounced success because of the ease with which it is operated. TURKISH GENERAL PREDICTS ALLIED VICTORY (Rec. 9.40) LONDON, April 4. The Tunisian correspondent of the British Associated Press Agency says: General Salem Oumertak, Chief of the Turkish military delegation here, predicted that the Allies will win the war. He pointed out that the Allies were much the stronger in every way, including armament and industrial production. He added: “From what I have seen, the Allied morale is excellent, and undoubtedly has the edge over the Axis. I am extremely well pleased with my tour, and much impressed with the Allied war effort.”

N.Z. ATHLETES. (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service) CAIRO, April 1. New Zealand will be represented at the Egyptian athletic championships shortly. Bold bids for Cairo titles were made by the New'’ Zealand athletes, four of whom beat all but the ultimate winners in the events they contested. W. P. McHugh went under to the South African, Young, in the final of the 200 metres run in 22 4-ssecs. R, B. Joyes was narrowly beaten by the Ewmtian champion in the 400 metres hurdles after winnng his heat. Eighteen men finished behind R. Hubber, Invercargill in the 5000 metres, but the winner was too good. Dickie, Wellington and R. E. Johnson, Auckland, opposed Cairo’s best ■ in the 800 metres. Dickie was beaten 200 yards from home, but Johnson held the lead until 10 yards from the tape, where he was overhauled by an Egyptian who won by a yard in 2.3 1-5, '