NORIK AFRICAN VICTORY

Grey River Argus, 15 May 1943, Page 5

NORIK AFRICAN VICTORY

ITALIANS LAST TO CEASE FIGHTINC

abandoned equipment worth millions

British Naval Attack on Pantellaria

<Aust. & N.Z- Cable Assn.! LONDON, May 10.

An Italian communique states that the -b'irst Italian • Army, which nad the honour to be the last resisting Axis force, this morning ceased lighting on the order of the Duce. The Rome radio announced that a special announcement will be broadcast over all Italian stations at J o’clock to-night. GENERAL MESSE promoted RUGBY, May 13. It is announced that the Italian, General Messe, Commanding Officer of the remnant of the Axis forces in Tunisia, has been captured. Mussoline yesterday promoted Messe to be a Marshal. The total bag of Axis Generals is now 16. It is also reported that the prisoners include a son-in-law of the King of Italy. A correspondent at Cape Bon, describing the wholesale 1 collapse of the enemy and the rush to surrender, says-' Tens of thousands of Germans and 'ltalians were streaming in from every direction to give themselves up. The "roads were choked with them—long columns on foot, stalf officers in their ’own cars, endless lines ol enemy trucks, mostly German made, crammed with men, with men even perched on the wings, bonnet and roof, driven 1 by their own drivers. There were ambulances, scout cars, and armoured cars all packed _ with prisoners, and Axis troops sitting tight together on the barrels of their field guns and gun carriages, as they were towed back towards Turns.

“I even saw three men coming in sitting astride one motor-cycle. All along the road it was the same story, everywhere German and Italian officers surrendering and asking where they could send their men.” The correspondent, added that the Axis abandoned millions of pounds worth of equipment. Within 100 yards, the correspondent could see about 30 vehicles, also wireless sets, typewriters, and actually a mobile Xrav equipment. There were stacks of weapons and ammunition, camp equipment, and complete field workshops. ■

Surrender of Generals TAKING OF MESSE AND VON ARNIM. LONDON, Ma- 13. The surrender of General .Messe was arranged in accordance with his wish to surrender only to the Eighth Army He is reported to have surrendered to General Montgomery in person. A son-in-law of the King of Italy, General Count Calvi di Bergolo, surrendered with him. Bergolo, who is aged about 42 years married Princess Yolande in 1923. He was originally a cavalary officer and a famous rider, and has competed, at horse shows in London. Mussolini, following Hitler’s example of promoting General Paulus to Marshal on the day of the defeat at Stalingrad has promoted General Messe to be Marshal of Italy. . Other Generals captured ar e Major General Franz, Commanding Officer-in-Chief of the 19th Anti-aircraft Division and for the past few days Commander of the Hermann Goerin a Division in, place of General Schmidt, Major General Schnarrendberger, Commander of the Lines of Communication, Colonel Hulzen. acting in command of the 21st Panzer Division. ' . , , ~ The captured Italians include General Costa, second in command of the Centauro Division, General Apponte, President of a Military Tribunal A special communique from Hitler’s Headquarters claimed that the Axis forces finally succumbed to lack of supplies and not to the enemy s assault. Nevertheless, the task assigned to them was fully accomnlisned. They tied down in ■ North Africa strong enemy forces and inflicted heavy losses, relieving other fronts, and gained time. The communique states that Hitler on May 10 sent a message of thanks and appreciation to von Arnim adding that the heroic fight had been of the highest value for the result of the war.

N.Z. DIVISION

CRACK UNIT.

The British United Press correspondent at the First Army Headquarters says that the haughty Eng-lish-hating General von Arnim at first rejected the unconditional surrender terms. Von Arnim was captured in his headquarters which were carved out on the mountain side, 18 miles west of Hammamet. Although he knew his last retreat was cut off, he remained every inch the typical Prussian militarist. He sent a message to General Anderson consisting of the one word “terms.” The reply came back “unconditional surrender. The reply also demanded that blowing up and destruction of equipment should cease, all weapons and tanks should be handed over, and von Arnim’s men should assist in sweeping up the Axis minefields. Von Arnim’s whole frame shook as the terms were read. Striking his fist into his hands he unhesitatingly refused the terms. Anderson sent out a patrol from the Fourth Indian Division to bring in von Arnim, with his staff, and persuade him that further resistance was useless ine patrol found von Arnim standing m his headquarters. There was no attempt to resist. He was driven over one hundred miles, and General Anderson received the dust-covered captive in a tent from which the blitz was directed. Von Arnim finally accepted the terms, when he realiseci the position was hopeless. Von Arnim, before his capture sent a message to Kilter: “Orders to defend Tunisia to the, last cartridge have been carried out.”

Axis Downfall

GENERAL ANDERSON EXPLAINS. LONDON, May 13. “The reasons why General von Arnim split his tank forces were because he could not decide where the Allied punch was coming. This proved his undoing, but the real reason of our victory was the swift, heavy blow which drove through the German defences like a knife- in the Medjez el Bab sector.” General Anderson made this statement to war correspondents at the First Army Headquarters to-day, reports Reuter. General Anderson continued: “Our successful attack east of Medjez el Bab was made along a 3000 yard front, with several hundred guns, Churchill tanks, and two infantry divisions, supported from behind by two armoured divisions. The attack went through like a' knife through butter. British tanks racing south from Tunis had to fight a hard battle at Hammanlif, where the Germans had machine-gun nests, also

snipers in the houses. British infantrymen with bayonets, jumped from tanks at street corners, and cleared out the hard fighting soldiers of the Hermann Goering Regiment from the town, house by house, in savage lighting.”

MASTERS OF ALL NORTH AFRICA, SAYS ALEXANDER.

LONDON, May 13. “This is one of the most complete and rnos! decisive victories in history,” said General Alexander, m a talk to over 500 officers. He added: “We wiped out an entire army and to-day stand masters of the whole or North Africa. This victory wa's of your making. Us fame and glory belong to you.” General Eisenhower, addressing a Press conference paid a high tribute to General Alexander’s planning of the final blow in Tunisia. He said: In view of the Eighth Army’s reputation, its amazing efficiency in driving the enemv across the thousand miles of desert,'there is little doubt that the Ax's exoected the Eighth Army to strike' the couo de grace. Alexander, however, read the enemy’s,mind and transferred three divisions from the Eighth Army to the First Army. The Eighth Army’s attacks on Enfidaville were merely a feint. The whole scheme worked beautifully. The mere reputation of the Eighth Army tied down a large bodv of the enemy, and enabled the First Army and the American 2nd Corps to assemble an overwhelming force and smash through. It was a very subtle conception. and bears the- mark ol a great General.

LOSSES COMPARED. LONDON. May 13. It is estimated that German and Italian losses in the battles since 1940 in North Africa totalled 600,000 in killed, permanently disabled and prisoners of war. The German casualties totalled 250,000 against the Italian 350,000 In all theatres, the Allies have taken 150.000 German prisoners, whereas the British taken prisoners bv the Germans are approximately 80,000, giving a credit balance of nearly two to one. Italian prisoners in Allied hands, exclusive of coloured troops, number 310.000 against 70,0.00 British held by the Italians An analysis shows that the Gelman total of casualties in the battle of Tunisia is 125.000 to which must b e added a further 25,000 drowned at sea, permanently sick, etc. Italian total casualties to the battle for the first bridgehead were 275,000, and tn the battle for the bridgehead about 50,000, to which must be added for drowning, permanent sickness etc., a further 25,000.

TWO YEARS’ STRUGGLE WITH

LONDON. May 13.

“New Zealanders’ Triumph” is the headline given bv both “The Times” and the “Daily Telegraph” to the report of the surrender of the German Ninetieth Light Division to the New Zealand Division. Reuter’s correspondent at Allied Headquarters states: “It is especially fitting that the last great fight m North Africa should also have rung down the curtain on the two years’ struggle * between the Second New Zealand Division and the,. German Ninetieth Light Division. AH'* these long arduous months, when the Allied tide ebbed and flowed, the New Zealanders clung to the hope they would finally en( i the career of this German Division. The Ninetieth Light was the pride of the Afrika Corps. Freyberg’s New Zealanders are satisfied tonight.” . J The “Daily Telegraph points out: “It is noteworthy that the Axis commanders negotiated with Freyberg, not with Montgomery. It was previously stated that some sections of the Eighth Army had been withdrawn from the southern sector to co-oper-ate with th e First Army.” It is also reported that the Eighth Army did hot participate in the final battle but were rested. At all events, little has been heard of Montgomery recently, suggesting he may be engaged on the next phase. allied shipping losses SMALL. LONDON, May 13. The British United Press correspondent at Allied Headquarters says that the North African campaign cost the Allies’little from the shipping viewpoint. Over 11,000,000 gross tons of Allied merchant shipping carrying men and supplies from England and America entered North African ports between November 8 and May 8. As traffic went both ways the tonnage actually escorted was over 22,000,000, of which we lost only about 237,600 tons as a result of enemy action. About 390 ocean-going Allied ships disembarked men and 1,000.000 tons of cargo between November and May at one port aione (the number of men cannot be stated). . .

The naval spokesman stated that that the Allied submarines sank over 40 large and medium ships and 39 smaller ones. Light naval forces in April sank two large destroyers, six merchantmen, two E-boats. two mine-sweepers, and two lighters, besides other ships damaged.

ALEXANDER CONGRATULATED. LONDON, May 13. The Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in North Africa (General Eisenhower) has sent a message of congratulation to Ganeral Sir Harold Alexander. He said that words could not express the appreciation he and others feel at the recen brilliant successes in Tunisia. He conveyed his good wishes to General Alexander and his men. General Alexander has sent a message in reply to General Eisenhower. ■ General Eisenhower has also received a message from the Governor of Malta (Field-Marshal Lord Gort) Lord Gort said that for the first time since Italy entered the war the bells of Malta would ring out, in celebration of the Allied victory in Tunisia. CHURCHILL’S MESSAGE TO GIRAUD. RUGBY. May 13. Mi. Churchill, in a message to General Giraud said: - “It cheers our hearts to see a line of French divisions advancing triumphantly against the common foe, and leading Ger-

man prisoners bv the thousands to the rear.” „ Mr. Churchill congratulated General Giraud on the fighting spirit of the French Army and its achievements, despite the disadvantage m equipment. , General de Gaulle sent telegrams to General Eisenhower. General Alexander, General Montgomery and Air Marshal Tedder expressing the gratitude of France for . the success of their respective operations in the North African campaign which lea to the destruction of the' enemy and the liberation of the French Empire. Mr Eden, replying to a Commons question, said that Parliament would havp the opportunity of expressing to the officers and men of the armies, the appreciation of the magnificent victory in North Africa.

Pantellaria Shelled ATTACK BY BRITISH WARSHIPS. HIGH EXPLOSIVES CAUSE MUCH DAMAGE. - (Rec. 12.20) LONDON, May 14. ’ Reuter’s correspondent with the Mediterranean Fleet says that British warships in the early hours oi yesterday shelled Pantellaria. Broadside after broadside, for more tnan twenty minutes, screamed into Pantellaria Harbour. High explosives caused great damage to the mole. Fleet Air Arm planes dropped hares and .spotted for warships during the bombardment. RAIDS ON SHIPPING. RUGBY, May 13. A Middle East air communique states: “Yesterday, in one of the attacks on enemy, shipping m the Aegean Sea and off the west coast ol Greece, R.A.F. long-range fighters sank a’ small sailing vessel and damaged at least five others, two of which were beached. Direct hits were scored on quay buildings in the harbour on Syros Island. One enemy plane was shot down. AU ours returned.” Yesterday, long-range fighters from Malta attacked shipping off the toe of Italy, states an agency message. A coastal patrol vessel was left burning. . , Fighters on offensive patrol over Sicily attacked a goods train with cannon and machine-gun fire. A locomotive and several trucks burst into flames. Last night, intruder aircraft attacked railway communications and vehicles in Sicily and southern Italy.

RIOT REPORTED FROM BERLIN. LONDON, May 13

In a message which the German censor passed, the Berlin correspondent of the “Goteborg Handelstidnmgen” reports that rioting broke ou~ in Berlin outside 'the Wehrmacht s Information Office, when thousands of women and elderly men gathered, seeking information concerning thenrelations in Africa. He says: were brusquely dismissed and told they would be given the necessary information at the appropriate .time. Thereupon the crowd began noting and Storm Troopers were called out. Fighting between the crowd and the Storm Troopers occurred, but the troops did not use their firearms. The correspondent reports similar incidents in other parts of Germany. RUSSIAN INTEREST IN VICTORY. LONDON, May 13. The Russian Press and radio have/ given prominence to the news of the complete Axis capitulations in North Africa. “Red Star” gave almost an entire page to the Allies’ triumphs, which is the biggest spread for Bn-tish-Americans since the outbreak, it is the main topic in the homes and streets of Moscow, with the general reaction that a second front will soon come. SPECIAL PRAYERS IN ENGLAND. RUGBY, May 13. Special prayers of thanksgiving for the victory granted to the. forces of the Commonwealth and Empire and our Allies in Africa, will be ottered in churches at services next Sunday. Bells will be pealed. A national service' of thanksgiving will be held at. a place and time to be announced. Ministers have been asked to offer prayers next Sunday, by the War Cabinet, with the approval of the King, and after consultation with leaders of the churches. The Archbishop ol Canterbury issued this statement: “News of the victory of Tunisia is obviously an occasion for thanksgiving to Almighty God, on the part of all who believe that the overthrow of Nazism and Fascism is necessary; to the welfare of mankind.” . His Grace suggested the following prayer among others already in use: “Almighty God, Judge of the Nations, we come before Thee in penitence and thanksgiving, in humility and faith. We give Thee hearty thanks for Thy> mercy shewn us in the success granted our arms, and those of our Allies. We thank Thee for the courage and endurance of our sailors, soldiers and airmen, for the vision of statesmen, and the skill of the Commanders. And we pray Thee to uphold the spirit of all the people of the United Nations, that we may be worthy of victory, and may so dedicate ourselves to Thy service, that, we may be able to use it to Thy honour’and the benefit of all mankind.”

Mr Roosevelfs Reply N.Z, MESSAGE OF CONGRATULATION. WELLINGTON, May 14. The Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) has received the following cablegram from Mr. Roosevelt: — “I am grateful to you for your telegram of congratulations on . the successful conclusion of the Tunisian campaign. We are happy and proud to have been partners with New Zealand arms. Your people can for ever be extolled for the splendid part they have taken in the liberation of the Continent of Africa from the Axis yoke. I know that New Zealand troops will help in the continuance of the world flight against slavery.” Mr. Fraser has sent the following message to. Mr. Curtin: “I desire to thank you most warmly for your message of congratulations on the part the New Zealand troops plavi in the victorious Tunisian campaign. Such a message is doubly appreciated when it comes from those with whom we had so often shared, as comrades in arms, the hardships and cares of military campaigns in distant theatres of war. and with whom we now face, shoulder to shoulder, the menace of Jananese aggression against our own CONGRATULATIONS FROM GENERAL SMUTS. MR FRASER’S REPLY TO MESSAGE. ■ P.A. WELLINGTON, May 14. The Prime Minister (Mr Fraser), has received from General’ Smuts, a message congratulating New Zealand on the magnificent part its forces, under General Freyberg. played in the Middle East campaigns, and their glorious share in the final phase at Cape Bon. “None rejoice more in the honours they won than their South Afri-

RESOLUTION OF FIJI LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

COMMAND.

can comrades, who in so many hardfought battles stood side by side with them in this prolonged campaign,” he states. “This long march is also a long step to ultimate victory, and New Zealand has a proud consciousness that she has made an outstanding contribution to it. The effect of that contribution will also be felt at no distant date in the Far East.” Mr Fraser, replying to General Smuts, said: “The warm and generous terms of your message of congratulation will be received with the 'greatest pleasure by the people of the Dominion, who rejoice to-day in thankfulness and pride that their sons, under the most distinguished leadership of General Freyberg, should have contributed in so glorious a manner towards achieving the final victory in Tunisia. On behalf of the Government and people of New’ Zealand I send most cordial greeting and congratulations to the gallant forces of the Union of South Africa with whom our men .have been so proud to serve as comrades in arms through the arduous period of service in North Africa. I am conveying the terms of your telegram to General Freyberg.”

N.Z. CHURCHES TO HOLD SERVICES.

P.A. WELLINGTON, May I*. The Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) announced that it is proposed to mark the victory in North Africa by holding Thanksgiving services in the churches throughout the Dominion on Sunday next, May 16. The proposal has the approval of the Governor-General, and leaders of the churches in New Zealand have readily argeed to make the necessary arrangements to fall in with the Government’s wishes. Mr Fraser expressed the confidence that all members of the community would welcome this opportunity of joining in thanksgiving for the successful outcome of the North African campaign.

(Rec. 10.35) SUVA, May 14. The Legislative Council to-day passed unanimously the following resolution: “This Council offers the sincere congratulations to all members of the Allied forces which so signally defeated the common enemies in North Africa, after an arduous campaign fought with unflinching heroism and perseverance, and with the happy co-operation of the United States, French and British Empire.”

Mr Ratu Jlv Sukuna, a native member, supporting the resolution, stressed the part played by ’Mr Churchill in the preparations for the crushing blow which had fallen on the enemy. Without those preparations and arrangements the glorious victory could not have been won.

VICTORY PARADE AT PALMERSTON NORTH.

PALMERSTON N„ Mav 14.

Palmerston North is celebrating the Tunisian victory to-day with a comprehensive victory parade of armed services. Arrangements were made for addresses by representatives of the United Nations, also thanksgiving for the successes. The visitors include high officers of the United States forces, also Mr. Coates representing the War Cabinet, and Air Commodore Isitt. The city is bedecked with flags and bunting. Effect of Victory BETTER NOW THAN IF LAST NOVEMBER. STATEMENT BY MR STIMSON. - (Rec. 8.30.) WASHINGTON. May 14. “The Tunisian victory will have infinitely more effect on the ultimate outcome of the war than if we had won the November race for- Tunis,” declared Mr. Stimson, addressing a press conference. He explained if we had won the race the Axis would have attributed victov to the element of surprise. However, as the campaign turned out, We beat the Axis African armies to their knees, despite the serious initial disadvantages. The result of this victory was now spreading far and wide in the Reich and the occupied countries. Attributing the Tunisian victory to General Eisenhower’s brilliant planning and the superb execution of the plans in perfect co-ordination of land, sea. and air forces, Mr. Stimson predicted that similar results could be secured elsewhere. He declared that the Tunisian debacle was equal to Stalingrad. The Germans seemed overwhelmed by the speed and power of the Allied advance. They fought bravely, but certainly were not supermen in defeat. Mr. Stimson said that Allied casualties, were heavy in the final phas e of the campaign.

Enlisting French Aid GIRAUD WANTED SUPREME

U.S. CORRESPONDENT’S DISCLOSURES.

(Rec. 11.0) NEW YORK, May 14. Mr Hanson Baldwin, in an article in the “New York Times” on his recent Tunisian tour, makes the disclosure that General Giraud wanted, to assume supreme Command in North Africa. Mr Baldwin says that when the American, LieutenantGeneral Clark landed in North Africa from a British submarine last October he carried a letter to General Giraud proposing that the latter go to North Africa when the British and Americans landed. General Giraud replied agreeing, but stipulating that he should assume command of the expedition. This letter was not received, and when General Giraud arrived at Gibraltar on November 11 he was under the impression that he was to take over the supreme command. Mr Baldwin adds that the British and American scheme of appointing General Giiraud commander of the French armies in North Africa almost foundered on General Giraud’s stubborn- insistence, and only after an hour s discussion with General Eisenhower and General Clark was an agreement reached. , , Mr Baldwin says that General de Gaulle was not chosen to .lead the French armies because of his failure at Dakar and preliminary soundings indicated that he was not acceptable to the soldiers and people. No deal was made with Admiral Darlan before the landings, but after the landings the Allies treated with Admiral Darlan because he was able to “deliver the goods”—order the cessation of French resistance —which General Giraud could not do. After a lengthy analysis of the confused political and racial difficulties in North Africa, Mr Baldwin concludes, “the basic concept of the British-American plans was that French North Africa should be treated as an ally, not as the conquered or occupied territory. Sometimes we made bad mistakes, but they were human mistakes. There was no hidden. sinister meaning to our errors as far as I could discover.”