Relentlessly Tightening Grip On Axis In Tunisia

Northern Advocate, 10 April 1943, Page 3

Relentlessly Tightening Grip On Axis In Tunisia

(Received 12 Noon) LONDON, April 9. THE ALLIES ARE RELENTLESSLY TIGHTENING THEIR 1 GRIP ON THE AXIS FORCES IN TUNISIA. ALGIERS RADIO TONIGHT DECLARED THAT THE AFRIIvA KORPS WAS COMPLETELY ROUTED AND IN FULL RETREAT, AND THE EIGHTH ARMY WAS FIERCELY PURSUING THE ENEMY IN THE DIRECTION OF SFAX. The radio added that the First Army had simultaneously advanced, bringing it considerably nearer Tunis. The Americans, continuing their advance from El Guettar, are mopping up the enemy and also advancing north of Maknassi. The German news agency admits the evacuation of Pichon under Anglo-French pressure which suggests the development of an Allied drive towards the-coastal plain in the direction of Susa, involving a threat to the attempted concentration of Rommel’s forces northward. Algiers radio reported that Axis positions in the region of Mateur had been pierced in great depth. Latest reports placed British spearheads half-way between Oudref and Mahares. Vanguards found the roads along which the Afrika Korps are struggling, blocked with shattered enemy tanks and vehicles, giving evidence of the effect of intense aerial bombardment which has incessantly plastered the Axis line of retreat.

American Pressure Increases

The Germans have previously ben reported retiring from Mahares and from Mezzouna, 20 miles from Maknassi on the Maknassi—Si'ax railway, where American pressure is increasing. The German news agency said that there had been tough fighting in Cusseltia and Bouarada, also at Medjez el Bab and the coast area in the neighbourhood ol' Cap Serrat. The news agency admitting the abandonment of Pichon. says that the Axis has firmly maintained mountain positions northward and southward of Pichon where the Allies are attacking in order ti suport the British thrust in the vicinity of Medjez el Bab-Beja aiming to tie down Axis forces. Algiers radio states that the American forces operating east of Maknassi, have reched Mezzouna and added that Franco-American forces operating east olMaknassi. are on the point of joining up with the Allied forces coming from the south. The Algiers correspondent of th Associated Press reports that the United States Second Corps, mopping up east of El Guettar, took prisoner 1300 Axisites.

seriously disorganising Rommel’s retreat. They state that the Italians were so shaken by aerial bombardment that hundreds of Italian prisoners, hearing German aircraft overhead, flung themselves on the ground. In Headlong Retreat Axis forces are in full, headlong retreat from the Eighth Army, reports Algiers radio. Ailed planes are inflicting heavy losses. The First Army pierced the Axis lines in Medjez el Bab area after which they continued to advance and mopped up several pockets of resistance hampering progress. The Americans, pushing out from Maknassi, are reported to be attacking' the German lines around Mezzouna. about 15 miles eastward of Maknassi on the road to Mahares. The Americans in this area are only 25 miles from the Eighth Army advancing up the coast. A link-up would endanger all Axis forces remaining in the vast area southward and south-east-ward. Vichy radio says that a new American attack in the direction of Kairwan is increasing in violence. Converging assaults have been launched from Ousseltia Valley, Pichon and Fondouk, The radio added that General Anderson has again taken the initiative and resumed the offensive south of Cap Serrat, with the Germans stubbornly resisting. East of Maknassi, Americans are maintaining the attack, thus endangering Rommel’s rear. Reuter’s correspondent with the First Army in the Medjez el Bab area says that the Germans in some sectors are hastily pulling back from the mountain positions that they have held for months. Our advance is progressing satisfactorily. The First Army’s casualties are not heavy but the Germans have suffered severely from our intense and accurate fire.

Large Number of Prisoners

Very bad weather somewhat restricted air operations in Tunisia yesterday, says a correspondent. The retreat of the Germans and Italians continued with the Mritish in close pursuit. As the total prisoners captured since the fall of the IVlareth Line approaches five figures, the total taken by the Eighth Army since General Alexander assumed command now numbers 100,000.

General Alexander, speaking to correspondents today, expressed pride in the fighting spirit of the British, American and French troops under his command and paid tribute to the contribution of the Second United States Corps towards the victory of the Eighth Army. The American corps is now mopping up in territory already gained, bringing in prisoners and a great quantity of material. Heavy Air Attacks Yesterday our desert aircraft attacked enemy forces moving north from Mezzouna and Mehares. causing considerable destruction and disorganisation: The attack by desert bombers has been so heavy in the last two days that 130 vehicles have been destroyed and 200 damaged. Spitfires, patrolling the southern sector, met practically no opposition, but Hurricanes engaged a formation of Junkers, inflicting damage on the enemy. Our fighters beat off. with damage to enemy machines, three small-scale attacks against our advanced troops. Despite the weather, fighter sweeps and patrols continued from dawn to dusk over the whole battle area. Our fighter-bombers attacked railway communications in Sicily yesterday, says a Malta message. They also successfully strafed trains and scored near-misses on a railway bridge. Speed Beat Rommel The Tunisian situation, as seen in London, is that, while in the extreme south the Americans. French and. perhaps, some British troops are clearing the Jebcl Chemsi area, the Eighth Army is moving through the coastal gap across the Mezzouna-Mahares road and railway. The enemy is getting north by the coast road through Sfax and by the other main road due north towards Kairouan and any other available means. In the north the British attack northeastward from the Mejez Munchar line has progressed half-a-dozen miles into the south side of the enemy salient between Medez and Sejenane. The rapidity with which the Eighth Army mounted the attack on Akarit prevented the enemy concentrating all his best troops and armour there to meet it. This was because most of the German troops and tanks had been sent to prevent the Americans advancing against the fiank. An account of the last fortnight’s fighting shows how this was the culmination of the process by which Rommel was forced out of his southern defences in Tunisia. The Akarit Hills were taken so swiftly that the enemy was unable to pull back Germans from the American front in time for a counter-attack, which, therefore, was made only at half-strength and failed. The Eighth Army went straight through and Rommel had to withdraw from both the British and Americans as quickly as he could. Tracks Are Glue-like Mud

Gloomy Axis View

The Zurich correspondent of the “Exchange Telegraph", says that a Berlin military spokesman has adopted a pessimistic view of operations in Tunisia. The spokesman saicl: "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. “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.” Falling Back Hastily The Eighth Army is reported to he on the outskirts of Lasilchira. A Berlin military spokesman said that the Allies- were now attacking along the whole Tunisian front. A correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph with the First Army says that the Germans appear to be falling back hastily and the British are steadily progressing according to plan. Vichy radio has announced that the Americans have begun a new push towards Kairwan. Reuter's correspondent with the American forces in El Guettar sector says that following behind reconnaissance forces which have linked up with the Eighth Army, American armoured forces, in a fresh push eastwards along the Gabes road progressed rapidly and by the night of April 7 advanced 20 miles. The Germans are hastily retreating under heavy blows from the air. Broadcasting on Berlin radio, Captain Sertorius admitted that the German counter-attack could not check the Eighth Army's Akarit breakthrough. but argued that the counter attack was not quite unsuccessful as it foiled encirclement of Axis forces I east of El Guettar. He said that the German counter-attack gained enough time to enable an orderly retreat from the pocket east of El Guettar, and added: “Rommel has moved from the southern front back to a new defence zone, the right pillar of which is a hill area east of Maknassi. No further details can be given of how the front line runs from here to the Mediterranean.”

The German News Agency, however, stated that Rommel is now standing ia\ a new line running from heights southwest of Maknassi to the shores of Noual Salt Marshes, 15 miles northwest of Lasikhira.

Reuter’s correspondent at Allied headquarters says that the Axis retreat has increased Rommel’s difficulties. He formerly held a naturally defensive short positions, but now has a 30 mile front along which he must be watchful.

Eisenhower's Congratulations

General Eisenhower, in a message of congratulation to General Alexander on the successful operations which joined the victorious Eighth Army with the British, French and American forces, said that while great difficulties and bitter fighting still lay ahead, the 18th battle group and air forces were in a position to exact a full price from the enemy. “If Rommel tries to leave Africa he will have a stormy passage across the Sicilian Straits.” he said. Progress 15 Miles

The Girst Army's advance is being carried on despite very difficult terrain and unseasonable winds and rain, which have again transformed mountain tracks into glue-like mud, slowing up movement. Reuter adds that the fact that Axis convoys continue to bring in supplies, apparently indicates that Rommel intends a fighting stand sooner or later.

The Eighth Army . today advanced about 15 miles from Wadi Akarit, according to a message just received from Allied headquarters. Describing the gunfire which preceded the First Army advance, a correspondent says: “There was a continuous crash of guns reverberating through the valley. From a hill I could see guns flashing out high explosives and shells and lighting up the whole valley. Guns formed an arc of twinkling lights while the con-

Blitz Unnerves Italians

Algiers radio said the Germans have sent in Stukas in an attemt to check the advance of the First Army. Allied planes, without loss, have shot down 14 Stukas and Rommel in three days has lost 250 planes.

Correspondents continue to emphasise that the terrific blitzing the Allied air forces are giving Axis forces are

tinuous whine of shells was like a howling gale. First Army on the Move

Describing operations in Northern Tunisia, a correspondent says that the First Army had already launched an offensive in the Medjez el Bab area, some 30 miles from Tunis, in the first light of Wednesday morning. The latest First Army attack is along Beja-Medjez road, which runs due east and west, and the First Army is advancing north of the road, pressing into an enemy salient. By noon on Wednesday, after the heaviest barrage put up in Northern Tunisia, the First Army has taken the first’ objectives and this attack, like the one in south Tunisia, is going along according to plan.