Germans Flung Back Through Pass

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 48, 26 February 1943, Page 5

Germans Flung Back Through Pass

Terrific Allied Air Attack (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) LONDON, Feb. 24. Axis armoured units in Central Tunisia have now withdrawn into the Kasserine Gai>, leaving the plain to the west safe for our troops to advance within one mile of the western mouth of the gap. The Axis forces are believed to be regrouping behind the Kasserine Gap. Reuter's correspondent in North Airica says that one latest front-lino reports state that the Germans retreated a total of 15 miles from the point of their maximum advance. They are now making a desperate stand to checks the Allied onrusn and enable their men and equipment to retire safely. The British united Press says that the Americans wno held up tne seconu thrust on the xvasserme-Tfe-oessa road, via Jebei Hamra, are now also pushing the Germans oacK to Kasserine. .tiowever, the situation remains fluid. Accordingly, tnere is no basis for excessive optimism. The Associated Press correspondent at field headquarters in Nortn Ainca says that the Allied Air f orces carrieu out the heaviest attacks of the war against the retreating Axis columns. The Allied planes attached wita a concentrated fury of cannon-fire, machinegun fire, and also bombs,'which shook the whole of the enemy forces. Even Flying Fortresses were called in to help deliver an air attack, the like of whicn the Germans scarcely dreamed could be mounted. intense artillery fire and bombing forced the Axis forces to leave the vast mountainous amphitheatre. On the Allied side of the pass to the British and American forces out at the most advanced observation post was radioeu that no enemy forces remained on the plain. Northwest from Kasserine, in the direction of the Allied base of Tebessa, on the plateau country just over the Algerian border, Allied troops also pushed back an enemy force consisting chiefly of Italians. Three hundred prisoners were taken and enough equipment to fit out a whole battalion was captured. Reuter’s says that, during the withdrawal from near Thala, the Germans threw in Italians to support their holding tactics. The Allies trapped an Italian battalion of about 2000 in the pass leading to Siliana, to the northeast. The French covering the entrance allowed the Italians to get well into the pass before closing in behind. The Italians sought the shelter of a wadi, but Scottish troops blocked the exit. The Allies now completely encircle the Italians.