Earlier Report Of Stabilisation

Northern Advocate, 20 February 1943, Page 3

Earlier Report Of Stabilisation

(Rec. 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY. Feb. 19. Apparently the enemy is satisfied not to extend his gains in southern Tunisia and no big-scale attacks were reported yesterday, cables a correspondent in North Africa.

He put in one small attack in the neighbourhood of Pichon, where our troops were withdrawing to straighten the line. This was repulsed. A military spokesman said it was impossible yet to estimate enemy losses in the recent battle, but it would not be fair to American troops to think they had not taken toll of the enemy in his advance. They fought magnificently, knocking out 20 tanks on the first day of the attack. Nothing has occurred so far to suggest they did not continue to inflict losses on the*enemy, despite their own casualties. The position is never easy, as we are holding a long thin line but the position is now stabilised. The North African Allied command reports little activity from the southern Tunisian front. Our fighters attacked enemy targets in the Ferina area, also in the northern sector, and on Wednesday night our bombers attacked enemy road transport. One of our planes is missing.

“Green Troops” Discounted

It is being said, says the “Evening Standard’s” military writer, that a Tunisian setback was to be expected when “raw” American forces met trained Warriors under Rommel. This is dangerous rationalisation. The great part of the Russians now engaging the Germans had had no previous battle experience. Americans at Guadalcanal’ and Australians in New Guinea had no battle experience. Tens of thousands of our troops have had no battle experience either, but they don't expect to start off with a few defeats when they invade Europe. Plan That Went Awry

The “New York Times” Washington correspondent says that closely interested observers supply information throwing a new light on the American reverse in Tunisia. They point out General Eisenhower placed green troops in lightly held positions in central Tunisa in anticipation that the main battle would occur further north on the line held by the British First Army. It was further expected that the Eighth Army would pass the. Mareth line, keeping Rommel in full flight past the American guns which could have shelled every German unit passing Sfax northward.

Unfortunately, Rommel conducted a well-organised retreat, enabling him to throw two fresh armoured divisions against the Americans east' of Faid Pass. Nevertheless, the Americans made a rather good retreat, inflicting heavy losses on German armour and men.

Furthermore, German divisions haVe drawn into rough territory where they are now immobilised. It is suggested that Rommel cannot easily spare such a force when he faces General Anderson’s First Army in the north. French Repel Attack

A communique issued by French headquarters, North Africa, states: “French forces yesterday repelled, with heavy losses, an enemy tank attack, supported by infantry, westward of Hadjeb El Aioun (in the northeastern sector, 15 miles south-west of Pichon).

“We proceeded to take up new posi % tions in a mountain region without pressure from the enemy. Spanner in the Works The “New York Herald-Tribune’s” correspondent on the Tunisian front (Mr. William White) says Rommel’s blitzkrieg has thrown a spanner into Allied plans by seizing the initiative and placing the Allies on the defensive, thus irreparably damaging plans for a southern front in Tunisia and forcing the Allies to pin their hopes on the Eighth Army. The German move was especially disconcerting because the Allies knew it was coming for some time, but were unable to prevent it. Most critics blame the inability to hold the hard-won positions on the lack of infantry. A “Herald-Tribune” editorial points out that Rommel caught our forces