GAFSA CAPTURED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24536, 19 March 1943, Page 3

GAFSA CAPTURED

TUNISIAN FIGHTING AXIS HELD IN NORTH MAEETII LINE ACTIVITY LONDON, March 18 Allied forces have taken Gafsa, according to a special message broadcast by the Algiers radio. Gafsa is a road and rail junction at the southern end of the central area of Tunisia. It was reported earlier that the Americans wore moving on the town and when three miles north of the town made contact with enemy tanks. A correspondent with the First Army reports a now attack by von Arnim and a successful counter-attack by our forces. Two enemy companies succeeded in making a dent in our line in the Tamera region in a dawn attack yesterday, he says, but our men fought back strongly and had restored the position by nightfall. The same correspondent says British troops have also counter-attacked Axis units which over-ran French positions on the high ground north of Tamera. Our men have made some headway and taken at least 40 prisoners. German Report Unconfirmed There is no confirmation in London of German reports that General Montgomery has attacked the coastal end of the Mareth Line following a heavy artillery barrage. The German news agency said Berlin military experts believe a major attack has begun, but other enemy reports describe it as reconnaissance in force.

The German military commentator Sertorius said last night that if the Eighth Army had really begun its big offensive tlio British I'irst Army and tlio American Filth Army would not remain inactive for long. He added that strong concentrations of American troops had been reported in Central Tunisia near passes held by the Axis. An Allied report says the liveliest part of the Tunisian front is in the south, where Allied warplanes have been plastering Rommel's positions _ in the Mareth zone and his supply lines behind it. The enemy is trying to hit back by shelling our positions west of Medenine. Veritable Cannonade The German news agency announced that the British Eighth Army launched an attack against the Mareth Line on Tuesday night. It added: "The scale of fighting cannot bo judged from reports so far available, but Berlin military quarters believe this is a major attack and that heavy fighting must therefore be expected in Southern Tunisia. The British thrust was made at the coastal end of the Mareth Line at 1T.30 p.m. It was followed by a lively artillery barrage, which increased until it became a veritable cannonade." A later German report stated that the Eighth Army attack was possibly the initial phase of a large-scale offensive. "Only a part of General Montgomery's artillery Was in action on Tuesday night, when the attackers presumably aimed to obtain full information concerning the fighting strength and grouping of the Italian and German tank army," the report added. "The Italians and Germans, generally speaking, were able to hold their positions, but it can be assured that the British attack will continue and increase in strength." New at Hand The German news agency stated: "The 7th British Tank Division and the 51st Division, which comprises throe infantry brigades and one tank brigade, is assembled before the Mareth positions. Behind them, as the second wave, are the 50th Division and the 2nd New Zealand Division, together comprising four infantry and two tank brigades. General Montgomery, in addition, has a reserve attacking force consisting of one tank division." British units in the Ksar Rhilano area, south-west of Medenine, have been considerably strengthened. More troops arrived there in motor-trucks on Tuesday and it is assumed that they will operate against the flank of the Mareth Line while others make frontal attacks. The Algiers correspondent of the National Broadcasting Corporation reports that the Royal Air Forco cut the railway between Gabes and Sfax at several points. The Germans are thus temporarily denied the only north and south transport line for heavy material. The road alongside the railway was also damaged and will take several days to repair. NAZI NAVY ASSEMBLING STOCKHOLM PAPER'S REPORT LONDON, March 17 The naval correspondent of the Stockholm newspaper Nya Dagligt Allehanda reports that the entire German High Seas Fleet, including the battleships Tirpitz, Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and two aircraft-carriers, are at present assembling north of Norway.