Allies Progress Favourably In Turns Campaign

Northern Advocate, 17 December 1942, Page 5

Allies Progress Favourably In Turns Campaign

(8.0. W.) RUGBY, Dec. 16. That the situation in Tunisia is more favourable to the Allies than the public generally suppose was the view expressed in air circles in London today. Both sides arc building up forces under conditions of bad roads and atrocious weather, but the odds on attainment of the desired result are with the Allies. The enemy must be facing appalling difficulties. Tunis and Bizerta are both suffering the heaviest bombing attacks, making the enemy task of assembling supplies a terrible one. Contrary to the general belief, the bombing of Algiers has not been substantial. The enemy operational air force of all kinds in Tunisia does not exceed 200 aircraft, of which the majority arc fighters and less than 30 are dive-bombers.

The Allies, on the contrary, have now built up their air forces, and attacks on Tunis and Bizerta are on a heavy scale and are constantly proceeding night and day. Heavy bombers from North Africa and Malta incessantly bomb harbours and installations and damage shipping. The Luftwaffe, already severely stretched, is not getting a great deal of support from its squadrons installed at Sicily. On the other hand, Malta has sufficient fuel supply for all its aircraft and is full of fight. Transport Planes Downed

The Middle East communique says Allied heavy bombers on Monday night successfully attacked Naples, causing large fires in the harbour areas. Tunis and La Gouletta were attacked in force the same night, hits being scored on ships, jetties and fuel depots. The railway between Susa and Sfax was also attacked. Naval aircraft scored a torpedo hit on a beached vessel near Susa. At least four south-bound enemy transport aircraft in a heavily escorted air convoy were shot down by our fighters off Lampedusa Island. Two small enemy vessels were also attacked off the coast of Tunis. Four of our planes are missing. First Army patrols report that the Axis forces have again fallen back north-east and south-east of Med Jez Elab, says Reuter’s correspondent in Tunisia. The weather has improved and the hot sun is quickly drying the water-logged roads and airfields. Both sides are getting into shape for some tank fighting.

Ace Pilot Killed

When a Hurricane fighter shot down a Junkers 88 during the first day’s occupation of Algeria. GruppenKommender von Rcth, one of Germany’s most outstanding airmen, was killed. Von Roth, who was making a personal survey of the situation, commanded a bomber group in Tunisia and also participated in the battle of Britain.

An Italian communique reports that 200 civilians were killed and several hundred wounded in a violent air raid on Tunis and Sousse yesterday.