HIGH POINT TAKEN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIII, Issue 24, 28 December 1942, Page 5

HIGH POINT TAKEN

VALUABLE BRITISH GAIN

STAGE NEARER TUNIS (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) (9.45 a.m.) RUGBY, Dec. 27. The lull in Northern Tunisia ended on Christmas Eve when the Guards at sundown attacked a ridge held by the enemy six miles north-north-enst of Medjez El Bah on the west side of the Teburba Road.

A series of attacks lasting 14 hours, says a correspondent at headquarters, were made on a front of 1200 yards. The Guards finally took high points, but not the highest in this ridge which holds a commanding position overlooking M’edjez El Bah, and the country to the east. The long slopes offer little cover from trees. A Middle East joint communique states: Tunis La Gaulette and Sousse were bombed on Christmas night, and aerodromes in Sicily were groundstrafed. Considerable damage was done to grounded aircraft at one of these aerodromes. From these operations one of our aircraft is missing but the crew is safe.-—Official Wireless. A London cable states: The Algiers radio says the Allied advance forces are within 12 miles of Tunis. The Tt.A.F. in North Africa- is being steadily reinforced. Beaufighters, operating at night, are chalking up a mounting score. Hudsons are ranging far over the Mediterranean on anti-submarine patrol, and fighters and bombers aro cooperating closely with the United States 12th Air Force in Tunisia to harry and disrupt enemy supply lines. Axfe air forces have the advantage of all-weather aerodromes in Sicily and Sardinia, and, as bad weather is allowing both sides to build up their strength, the fight for Tunisia must be a tough tussle.