Germans Preparing People for Bad News

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 85, 10 April 1943, Page 5

Germans Preparing People for Bad News

Difficulties of Evacuation Stressed Rsceived Saturday, 1.15 a.m. LONDON, April 9. The Americans pushing- out from Maknassi are reported to b* attacking the German lines around Mezzouna, about 15 miles eastward of Maknassi on the road to Mahares. A link-up of the Americans in this area with the Eighth Army advancing up the coast would endanger all the Axis forces remaining in the vast area southward and south-eastward. The Vichy radio says the new American attack in the direction of Kairwan is increasing in violence. Converging assaults have been launched from the Ousseltia Valley, Pichon and Fonndouk. The radio added that General Anderson had again taken the initiative and resumed his offensive south of Cap Serrat with the Germans stubbornly resisting. East of Maknassi the Americans are maintaining their attack, thus endangering Rommel’s rear. Reuter's correspondent with the First Army in the Medjez el Bab area says the Germans in some sectors are hastily pulling back from the mountain positions they have held for months and our advance is progressing satisfactorily. The First Army’s casualties are not heavy but the Germans suffered severely from our intense and accurate fire. The Exchange Telegraph Company’s Zurich correspondent says the Berlin military spokesman has adopted a pessimistic view of the operations in Tunisia. The spokesman said: “The decisive success of the Eighth Army is undeniable and the consequences of General Montgomery’s break-through demand earnest consideration. ’ ’ The Propaganda Ministry has informed newspaper editors to prepare readers for this. “The Axis forces in Tunisia, because of the Allies ’ superior numbers and equipment, might be forced to positions from which escape might become increasingly difficult and finally probably impossible.” Speculation on the possibility of a naval battle in the Mediterranean continues. The Paris radio says informed circles in Berlin expect a big naval battle. There are indications that the British fleet off the Tunisian coast will have to break through a formidable barrage of U-boats before it is able to meet the powerful Italian navy. The Italians have only one aircraftcarrier and the results would be fatal for them if the British Navy attacked their fleet in the Straits of Sicily.