Churchill Tells Of New Victory

Northern Advocate, 8 April 1943, Page 3

Churchill Tells Of New Victory

LONDON, April 7.

“I have received reports from the High Command in Tunisia that the Desert Army has gained a new victory,” said Mr Churchill in the House of Commons. General Montgomery has ordered his main forces to assault the Akarit position. A barrage of about 500 guns, practically on the El Alamein scale, covered the advance of Indian and British divisions.

“All counter-attacks were repulsed, and by nightfall the British armour had advanced to open country. “More than 6000 of the enemy have thus -far been taken prisoner. “Rommel’s army is now retreating northwards, hotly pursued.

“This successful frontal attack should enable the Desert Army to join hands with the Americans pressing unceasingly from the west.” Questioned whether reports indicated that the Desert Army had engaged the enemy's main forces, or merely a rearguard, Mr Churchill replied: “My statement covers the whole position. The enemy retreat did not begin until the assault was successful.” Into Narrow Box

General Alexander, under the supreme command of General Eisenhower, is concerting the whole of the operations of the group of armies on the Tunisian front.

A North Africa headquarters communique announces that the Eighth Army has driven a wide wedge in enemy positions after heavy fighting along Wadi Akarit. An enemy counter-attack against General Montgomery’s position was repulsed. Fighting continues in the El Guettar sector, where General Patton is pressing Rommel’s forces into a narrow box between the mountains and the sea. Montgomery Strikes Terrific Blow The Eighth Army resumed the offensive after a ferocious night, bombardment by concentrated artillery, says the representative of the Associated Fress at Allied headquarters. British troops smashed into the outlying enemy posts, tanks following closely in support. The attacking forces encountered terrific artillery fire and many mines. The correspondent of the “New York Times” (Mr Kluckhohn) says General Montgomery launched an attack without waiting for a junction with the Americans which might have enabled Rommel to get fully set. This is a power move, obviously designed to lead to the complete crushing of Rommel as quickly as possible.

“Americans. French and the British First Army are holding Rommel in the coastal plain or along the easterly line of mountains, while the Eighth Army, the most experienced fighters in Africa, pound his rear. Fighting French In Force

The Fighting French, who covered the west flank of the New Zealanders’ drive to El Hamma, are now moving up the coast northwards of Gabes in the course of operations with the Eighth Army, reports the “New York Times.” The French strength has not been revealed, but it is believed that it equals New Zealand’s, and includes an armoured division from Egypt and the column which General Le Clerc led across the desert from Chad.