ALLIED RAIDS SPREAD NORTH

Grey River Argus, 17 May 1943, Page 5

ALLIED RAIDS SPREAD NORTH

AIR OFFENSIVE IN MEDITERRANEAN

ITALY PREPARES TO MEET INVASION

Last Prisoners Taken in North Africa

& N.Z. Cable . [Aust. LONDON, May 14. Vnilowino- the surrender of the last AxTs m soner at 11.45 a.m. yesterday Ahied aircraft have increased then Stacks on Southern Europe. l The Algiers correspondent of the Broadcasting System states: “Th? air war from North Africa is X on a greater scale that. ever before and all the signs are that it ‘ s lSy th a f 'nd n ?h e e aS Kailan islands are in ' o Beute°r“s g na™ e wrlter states that Pantellaria, which was heavily shelled by British warships, has been used as a base for the enemy s a r and E-boat atacks agains Malta convoys. The air and naval attacks against the island may be the prelude to further action at Pantellaria is a useful stepping-stone across the SiciliThisStwa1 s S ‘the first time that Pantellaria had been shelled, and the enemy was taken by surprise. Since the capture of Turns and Bizerta, Allied air attacks on Pantellarki have developed into, a sustained Sult. Sicily also has been heavily battered during the week the high lio-ht being the mass raid by 400 Am erican aircraft at Palermo. Axis airfields in Sicily, states one corresuondent. have had a ter.ific drub Tlie air forces based on Malta have been netting some of their own back against Italy. Intruder aircraft from the island have been over Sicily and the toe of tlaly. In daylight fighters from Malta escorted United States bombers to Sicily, where snipninr' in Augusta Harbour was attacked. More than fifty Liberators took part, and they dropped their bombs on many targets, including a seaplane base, anchored seaplanes, and harbour works . ’ Another force of American bombers flew from North Africa to attack Sardinia, where the harbour at Cagliari was bombed. Flying Fortresses, Mitchells, and Marauders unloaded high-explosives and incendiaries on shipping, industrial buildings, and harbour works at Cagliari, and when they left a huge pall of smoke overhung the city. Oil tanks were hit, and a gasworks is believed to have exploded, also a large chemical plant A huge fire was started m the east end of the docks, whilst other fires blazed in the industrial part. The fires could be seen for hundreds of miles. One enemy ship was blownup, and nine enemy fighters were shot down. On the previous night the Royal Air Force bombed Naples, where many fires were started in the docks and railway yards. From all these attacks only one Allied aircraft is missing.

AXIS LOSSES IN RAIDS. 8.0.W. RUGBY, May 14. Fortresses led the attack on Cagliari, then Mitchels and Marauders which sent bombs down through swirling smoke. The raiders were attacked by German and Italian fighters, which dived down on them, but Allied bombers, with the escort of Lightnings and Warhawks, shot down nine enemy fighters, for the loss of only one escorting fighter. Another attempt to attack Algiers w.as completely ineffective, no damage being done, five raiders again being destroyed. AIRFIELD AT PANTELLARIA NOW USELESS. (Rec. 7.30.) LONDON, May 15. Reuter’s Cairo correspondent says that the sole Axis airfield at Pantellaria has been rendered unserviceable following a three-day pounding from the air. Indications are that enemy air forces have ceased operations from Fantellaria. Attacks Move Northward SHIPPING, RAILWAYS, AND AIRFIELDS BOMBED. (Rec. 7.30.) RUGBY, May 15. A Middle East air communique states: Heavy R.A-.F. bombers attacked Messina and Wellingtons . attacked Cagliari' on Thursday night, bombs bursting near the ferry terminus. Yesterday at daylight R.A.F. > long-range fighters attacked and damaged an enemy mine-sweeper oil the west coast of Greece. From these and other, operations one oour aircraft is missing. A later message says: Extending the attacks still northwards of North Africa, the Air Force yesterday attacked Civita Vecchia, an important port thirty-seven miles north-west of Rome and Olbia, in north-west Sardinia. They also bombed a series of targets in Sardinia, including airfields at Alghero. and nearby railways, Porto Torres, Porto Santo Romano, and other places. North African messages report that heavy damage was done by Fortresses at Civita Vecehia, where fires were started and several hits scored on vessels. At Olbia three ships were sunk, a large tanker was damaged, and three enemy 'planes were brought down. Three more 'planes were destroyed at Alghero. . Two of our 'planes are missing from these attacks. Fighter-bombers from Malta attacked Comiso aerodrome yesterday, destroyed a Dornier flying-boat, and damaged small surface croft with cannon fire. Last night Malta intruders were over Sicily and Southern Italy. The quayside at Gallipoli, in the Gulf of Taranto, was attacked with cannon fire. Strikes were seen on a vessel beside the quay.

Last Troops Surrender NOW MORE THAN 175,000 PRISONERS. LONDON, May 14. To-day’s North African communique states: “The last remaining elements of the enemy in Tunisia surrendered at 11.45 a.m. yesterday. N o Axis forces remain who are not prisoners in our hands. We are now dealing withe the gigantic task of sorting and dealing with the prisoners.” The Algiers radio states that the total number of prisoners is now more than 175,000. Mussolini lost in Tunisia every armoured division he ever had. Hitler lost three of his oldest and best panzer formations. All the Italian infantry and motorised divisions which were considered above mediocrity were wiped out. That is only part of the fearful cost to the Axis for the campaigns in Libya, Egypt, and Tunisia. A correspondent states that prisoners include 17 generals, of whom 13 are Germans. Small enemy

eroups who held out till noon yesteidav were west of Bou Ficha, out most of thew were only awaiting the opportunity to surrender. The -Royal Navy has taken more than four hundred prisoners who were endeavouring to escape from Tunisia, including the German chief of stall of the sth Panzer Division. A destroyer picked him up while he was trving to slip across to Italy from Cane Bon Peninsula in a small boat. The Algiers radio stated that General Von "Gramm, the German tennis star was captured by the Allies.

ALEXANDER’S REPORT TO PRIME MINISTER.

(Rec. 6.30.) RUGBY, May 15. “The Prime Minister: It is my duty to report that the Tunisian campaign is over. All enemy resistance has ceased. We are masters of the North Africa shores.” This message was received at No. 10 Downing Street, from General Alexander on May 13. CAPTURE OF AXIS GENERALS. (Rec. 9.50.) RUGBY, May 15. Eighteen Axis Generals, including fourteen Germans, were captured in Tunisia, making the total number captured by the Allies, not including Russia, now 111, of whom nineteen are German. All but one, MajorGeneral Friemel, who was captured by the Dutch at Rotterdam in May, 1940, have been taken in Africa. The other four German Generals, including General Von Thoma, were captured between 'November, 1941 and November, 1942. Ten Italian Generals were captured at El Alamein and others at various stages of the African campaign, including East Africa. VON ARNIM GOES TO BRITAIN. (Rec. 6.30.) MADRID, May 15. Two Italian and eight German Generals. including General Von Arnim, arrived in Gibraltar by air en route to Britain. BEY OF TUNIS DEPOSED. (Rec. 9.5.) LONDON, May 15. The French Resident-General of Tunisia will be present to-dav at the investiture of the new Bey of Tunis, following General Giraud’s deposing the former Bey, who has already Mft Tunisia for his new residence. A British Associated Press correspondent at Algiers says that the deposed Bey of Tunis went to Madagascar with twenty-five of his wives MR ATTLEE’S TRIBUTE TO N.Z.E.F. BO.W. RUGBY, May 14. “The New Zealanders put a most marvellous finals to a great dramatic performance,” said the Deputy-Prime Minister (Mr C. R. Attlee) when referring to the African campaign in a speech on the Dominions’ contribution to the war effort. “The Dominions are treading not the path which leads to independence, but to interdependence. When people grow up their family .affections remain. That, lis abundantly true of the Dominions. It is in times of stress that our family ties grow so strong. The effect of the .war on the Dominions has been to increase their national development without in the slightest degree impairing the unity of the Commonwealth.”

PRISONERS EXCEED 193,000 SAYS LORD MOTTISTONE.

(Rec. 8.15) LONDON, May 15. Lord Mottistone in a speech said: “I have! good reason for saying that the number of prisoners captured in Tunisia 1 will exceed 193,000, of whom 150,000 will be Germans. Our resounding victory in North Africa is but the forerunner of a series of victories.”

PRISONERS IN FRENCH HANDS. (Rec. 6.30.) LONDON-, May 15. A French communique from Algiers states that the number of disarmed prisoners in French hands in Central Tunisia has risen to 36,000 with more than 200 guns of all calibres in good condition captured. GIRAUD’S FAMILY AS HOSTAGES. LONDON, May. 14. A correspondent reports that when General Giraud visited Tunis he learned that his daughter and his two grandchildren, aged 3 and 4, had been removed to Germany as hostages. They were living in Tunis when the Germans landed in November and they have since been kept under close observation. A fevy weeks ago they were taken from their home, and they are believed to have been transported to Germany by air. General Giraud’s son-in-law went with • the general in the expectation of meeting his wife and children, and not until they arrived did they learn the truth.

GIRAUD SPEAKS AT BIZERTA. (Rec. 8.15? LONDON, May 15. When General Giraud entered Bizerta yesterday, morning he was greeted by General Le Clerce and representatives of the Allies. General Giraud. addressing his own officials, said: “I know that you went through. It may comfort you to know that on Thursday, on the Zaghouan front, I saw 50,000 Italian and German prisoners, mostly Germans, file past as they surrendered to the French Tenth Corps. The vanquished enemy and the general delight of the French gave me a vivid impression of our victory. The French fought magnificently, since they fought without. modern equipment. Last Sunday I saw in Algiers a magnificent parade of French troops equipped with American material. Our Allies have fulfilled their promise. We will fulfil ours, which is to deliver France.” Referring to the taking of his daughter and children as hostages by the Germans, General Giraud said: “This cowardly act will prove—if there is any need —a further reason for fighting. I know if the Germans are victorious we will all be enslaved for a century. I have not the soul of a slave. Let us constantly remember this. Let us not make the same mistakes as in the past.”

NORTH AFRICAN POLITICAL PRISONERS’ RELEASE.

(Rec. 6.30.) LONDON, May 15. The Algiers radio says that. General Giraud will shortly be signing a decree releasing all political prisoners in North Africa, numbering about five thousand.

DEATH SENTENCE FOR VICHY SUPPORTERS. (Rec. 9.5.) LONDON. Mav 15. The Algiers radio says that a court martial sentenced to death in

absentia .five Tunisian Vichy supporters including the representatives in Tunis of M. Marion, who was Vichy Minister of information. Another sentenced was the former Chief of Political Police in Tunis.

KING’S MESSAGE TO CHURCHILL.

LONDON, May 14. The King has sent a message to Mr Churchill expressing his gratification on the North African victory. He said that a glorious campaign had been successfully concluded and that its successful prosecution had been due to the unflinching determination of Mr Churchill. “With the completion of the African campaign, this country and all the United Nations owe a debt to you,” said the King.

TUNISIAN POPULATION MOBILISED.

LONDON, May 14. A ■ decree by the Algiers radio announces the mobilisation of the civilian population of Tunisia for service in the armed forces.

The correspondent of the “Daily Mail” in Madrid- reports that patriots lit bonfires on the French mountain tops to express the popular rejoicing at the Allied victory in Tunisia. The news was flashed throughout France like lightning. Hundreds of thousands of copies of 8.8. C. broadcasts were printed and passed from hand to hand. SUCCESS OF NAVAL PATROL. (Reb. 9.50.) LONDON, Mav 15. A North Africa communique says: “As far as reports are available, our light naval and coastal forces operating in Tunisian waters during the critical period from April 30 to May 12 sank four enemy merchantmen, one Italian destroyer, three small tramp steamers, one transport barge, one small fighting vessel and numerous rowing boats and small craft. Most of these were carrying troops endeavouring to escape by sea, some 490 of whom, including a German General, were made prisoners. In a message to his ships, Admiral Cunningham expressed his satisfaction with the work of the light naval forces last week. He said that it was a tribute to them that even in their desperate situation, the enemy made no real effort to evacuate bj’ sea, and that the few who made the attempt were soon intercepted. WORK OF NAVY. LONDON, May 14. The part played by the Navy in the completion of the African campaign is now coming to light. Such attempts at evacuation as were made by the Axis were effectually smashed. The enemy ships sunk were mostly small craft and the Navy brought in 435 prisoners. No Axis warships were encountered and there was little Üboat activity. There was some initial trouble with E-boats, but .after six were sunk they practically disappeared. Bizerta and Ferryville were badly knocked about, but the naval facilities at Tunis were not greatly damaged. CAPTURE OF PRISONERS. LONDON, May 10.

When some of the British troops entered Tunis on Friday night they found Germans walking along the streets unaware that the First Army was in the city. A party of German officers was dining in one of the hotels. When a British officer walked in they escaped through the kitchen. Giving these instances of the swiftness of the final British advance, a war correspondent adds: “Thousands of Germans and Italians yesterday streamed into the ' prisoners’ cages—mostly Germans. They came trudging unescorted into our lines showing no heart for fight. Most of them said they had been surprised by the speed of bur push. “Sniping went on in the city last night, and one anti-tank gun kept firing until all the crew had been killed. Describing the- surrender of twentyfive -thousand Axis troops to the Americans, the British United Press correspondent says that German officers of the staff of General Borowietz commanding the Fifteenth Panzer Division approached the- American lines with a white flag. The Germans wanted to make terms, but the American commander, MajorGeneral Bradley insisted on unconditional surrender. Seven German Generals have been captured. These include Lieffi. General Bueloudius, not Mianteufel, who according to Berlin radio is recovering from wounds in. Germany. Bueloudius was commanding the Manteufel Division. MajorGenerals Weber and Borowietz were cut off in the area between Bizerta and Tunis by the- rapid advance to Tunis. Weber went to Tunisia' in January to command his division. Borowietz was the fourth general commanding the Fifteenth .Panzer Division during its two years in Africa. He replaced von Fle-ist last November. Krause, who is senior of those generals icaptured, is an artillery specialist and has been senior artillery officer in von Arnim’s Panzer army, and then the- Tunisia army group. He served in -the campaign in Greece. -The fifth German general captured is Major General Bassenge, commander of the Luftwaffe- defences at Bizerta. The sixth was Major General Nauffe, commander of the Luftwaffe Division, and the seventh, Major General von Vaerst. commander of the Fifth Panzer Division. The prisoners so far include three thousand members of the Luftwaffe. Reports from various sources in Tunisia say that both the Luftwaffe and the Reggia Aeronatica have abandoned the battle of Africa. Most oi the high commanders and many pilots went off in planes leaving the ground staffs without air support. The Algiers radio to-night announced that remnants of -the crack Herman Goering Division have surrendered.