Timely Arrival of British Tanks

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

Timely Arrival of British Tanks

Received Thursday, 10.15 p.m. NEW YORK, Feb. 24.

The New York Times’ correspondent in North Africa, Mr. Middleton, says the decisive Allied victory at Thala ends the immediate threat of a German drive northward cutting off the British First Army from the American forces. The courage of the American troops and their willingness to learn under fire, plus the timely arrival of veteran British tank reinforcements, enabled the delivery of a master counter-stroke hut the Allies are still fighting defensively. It will be some time before they are able to launch an attack as large as Rommel’s. Moreover, one victory does not make a campaign. It would be folly to believe Rommel will not again attack if he thinks the gain worth the risk. The events of the last two days have proven, firstly, that American troops learn fast and have become within 10 days, equal to the best European soldiers. Secondly, American tank commanders and crews still have much to learn. When it is learned they will sweep Africa. Thirdly, Allied air power in this theatre is so great that when exerted on a single battlefield, it is almost the decisive factor. There will be many claims as to who won this battle but the correspondent believes history will assign the role to American guns and gunners. The British tanks and crews who sustained the shock of the heaviest Ger-