SEVERE FIGHT AHEAD

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24531, 13 March 1943, Page 7

SEVERE FIGHT AHEAD

ISSUE NOT IN DOUBT MONTGOMERY'S FORECAST (Reed. 11..'!() p.m.) LONDON, March 12 General Sir Bernard Montgomery told the correspondent, of the Tass agency (Russian) with the Eighth Army that the fighting in Tunisia would be severe and stubborn. The Axis Powers would do their utmost to hold on during the summer, then launch an offensive. "Counter-attacks to disrupt our preparations are possible." lie stated, "but the enemy's fyial fate here is sealed. I always go for certainties. That is why our preparations must be complete and unhurried." After paying a tribute to the Red Army, which, he said, had shown miracles of heroism and whose operations had helped the Eighth Army to achieve victory, General Montgomery added: "Whatever happens in the future, one thing is clear: The Germans will not, succeed in altering the general military situation. Our preparations may appear slow, but the coining blow will he powerful and decisive." AMERICAN CASUALTIES LOSSES BY AXIS FORCES WASHINGTON, March 11 United States casualties in North Africa from February 14 to 20, during the period of the Allied retreat and the initial counter-attack, totalled 2242, of which 59 were killed, 176 wounded and 2007 wore missing, probably taken prisoner, said the United States Secretary of War, Mr. H. L. Stimson. He added that over 1000 Germans and Italians were taken prisoner. During the month over 100 enemy tanks were captured or destroyed. SICILY RAILWAYS BOMBED LONDON, March 11 Royal Air Force headquarters in Malta state that yesterday our fighterbombers attacked railway communications in Sicily. They wrecked a bridge and hit railway tracks in the southern part of tho island.