HARRIED BY PATROLS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 11 March 1943, Page 5

HARRIED BY PATROLS

RETREATING AFRIKA KORPS WAKE STREWN WITH DEAD MANY MORE TANKS LOST London, Mar. 10. British armoured patrols yesterday harried the Afrika Korps retreating into the inner zone of the Mareth Line, reports the “Daily Telegraph” Tunisian correspondent. Rommel has lost many more tanks than the fifty abandoned at the week-end. The R.A.F. for four days has been continually attacking on a scale reminiscent of El Alamein. The wake of the Afrika Korps is strewn with dead infantry, wrecked tanks, guns, and lorries.

Allied paratroops rushed to Tamera broke von Arnim’s new effort to break through to cut the supply road west of Jebel Abouid, wihch is west of Tamera. The Italians stiffened by Germans attacked, but eventually retreated after suffering heavy casualties.

A North Africa communique states: “There was little enemy activity in northern Tunisia yesterday, but our patrols were extremely active in the Sedjenane area, where they were in contact with the enemy. French forces completed the occupation of Tozeur and their : uconnaissance patrols were active. In southern Tunisia Eighth Army patrols continued to harass the enemy on all sectors of the front. Two further enemy tanks were destroyed. “Air activity was restricted by weather in all areas yesterday. Offensive patrols were flown over the northern and central sectors without encountering enemy aircraft. Enemy lighterbombers attempted attacks in the Eighth Army area in the evening. One was driven off without dropping its bombs. Not one of our planes is missing.”—P.A. ’and 8.0. W.. LULL IN FIGHTING (Rec. 11.30 a.m.) Rugby, Mar. 10. There was no large-scale fighting anywhere in Tunisia yesterday, a correspondent states. French patrols are probing eastwards towards Tozeur. These patrols are a mixture of mechanised troops and units from the Camel Corps.—B.O.W.

FRENCH NORTH AFRICA

DISPLACEMENT OF OFFICIALS EXPECTED POST FOR GENERAL CATROUX? New York, Mar. 9. The displacement of the SecretaryGeneral of the North African Government, General Bergeret and Gov-ernor-General Nogues is expected to follow the current High Council meeting, says the “New York Times” correspondent, Drew Middleton, writing from Algiers. He adds: “These changes would eliminate from General Giraud’s organisation two officials whose pasts are linked with Vichy, and should be the best possible proof for doubters in Britain and America. The present Government is doing its utmost to cleanse itself of the element not 100 per cent behind war to the death with Germany. General Catroux, permanent liaison officer between the Fighting French and General Giraud, who is returning to Algiers shortly, was previously mentioned as successor to either Generals Nogues or Bergeret.” Middleton believes General Bergeret’s post is going to a French political figure whose presence in North Africa is not yet revealed.— P.A. PALERMO AGAIN BOMBED (Rec. 9.25 a.m.) Rugby, Mar. 10. A Middle East air communique states: “On Monday night medium bombers attacked Palermo. Bursts were observed in the harbour and fires were started at Agrigento. Licata was also attacked. All the aircraft returned ” 8.0. W.