30-MILE ADVANCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24536, 19 March 1943, Page 4

30-MILE ADVANCE

CAPTURE OF GAFSA PROGRESS CONTINUED AXIS MOVES IN NORTH By Association—Copyright (Reed. 1.45 a.m.) LONDON, March 18 Allied forces in Central Tunisia made a 30-mile advance to capture the important road and railway junction town of Gafsa, and have since pushed on south-east without much opposition. The enemy withdrew in the general direction of their Mareth Line positions after setting many booby traps and mining the road heavily. Although Axis radios continue to claim that the Eighth Army has launched an attack against the Mareth Line, the Algiers radio this morning, in a review of operations, did not refer to this area, merely stating that rain generally was hindering the fighting in Tunisia. Renter's correspondent with the First Army reports that von Arnim made some headway in a dawn attack in tho Tamera region yesterday. A force estimated at two companies launched an attack after a brisk dive-bombing preparation had made a "hole" in a position held by British infantry. Some sharp fighting occurred. A German fighting patrol attempting another Axis probe approached British positions near Sidi Nsir, but were driven off.