DEEP ALLIED THRUSTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIII, Issue 21, 23 December 1942, Page 5

DEEP ALLIED THRUSTS

USEFUL COMMANDO RAID. LONDON, Dec. 21. Unofficial reports from Tunisia suggest that Allied forward troops are thrusting deep into positions beyond Medjez el Bah in preparation for the-expected battle. The Morocco radio reports activity on the southern sector in Tunisia, hold by the French. Numerous patrols are in close contact with tho enemy. The Daily Telegraph’s special correspondent from commando headquarters in North Africa reports a successful raid by a commando unit which for three days disorganised Axis supply lines in Tunisia, penetrating within four miles of Bizerta. A young colonel who planned and commanded the raid described it as a “textbook classic”. Half the unit was drawn from United States task troops. The unit secured temporary mastery of 125 square miles of enemyheld territory. The mission began at dusk when thev embarked at a small port. They arrived at their destination in a heavy swell and the men jumped overboard into deep water, each requiring “Mae Wests” to keep buoyant. The unit split up into parties, acting independently, and occupied two road junctions north of Mateur in spite of heavy opposition at one. There they remained, blocking one of the enemy s main supply lines, till dislodged by a strong German force. The commandos performed other exploits and their operations extended over five days. Tho Madrid correspondent of the Daily Mail says that Lcase-or-Lend army and equipment for a French African army of at least 300,000 are en route to North Africa from the United States. The first shiploads have already arrived. General Giraud and his staff have prepared plans of which General Eisenhower has approved. The army is being drawn from French, Algerian, Moroccan, and Senegalese regiments, and also the Foreign Legion. The Allied Command in North Africa has taken over the Morocco radio, which henceforth will he a reliable source of information.