AMERICAN DRIVE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24540, 24 March 1943, Page 3

AMERICAN DRIVE

CAPTURE OF HILLS ITALIAN TROOPS FLEE LONDON, March 22 Describing the American advance in Southern Tunisia a correspondent quoted by the British official wireless says: When brilliant sunshine succeeded the heavy rains of the previous two days, the American forces seized the opportunity offex-ed to their armoured units and captured the range of hills overlooking Sened station, on the GafsaMaknassy road. The Italians had taken up positions here after fleeing from Gafsa on Wednesday. Several units of Americans opened the attack soon after daybreak and obtained a footing in the hills before the Italians discovered their presence. The Italians, with machine-guns cleverly hidden, opened fire, but when they saw the Americans coming on they fled. There were a few more minor clashes, but by nightfall the Americans had completely cleared the hills. American Losses Small The Exchange Telegraph correspondent says the Americans took 1500 prisoners, nearly all Italians. The American losses were very small. As the Americans closed in the Italians opened fire from concealed positions in the hills, but. supported by artillery, the Americans continued to close in. The Italians then surrendered by the score. They marched out with upstretched hands. The Berlin radio commentator Captain Sertorius stated that very strong American forces were attacking east of Sened, between the northern edge of Shott el Jerid and the railway between Gafsa and Sfax. The Axis forces withdrew from Gafsa and other places and established advanced positions on the heights directly west of the lower coast. Captain Sertorius added that the Axis withdrawal from the Gafsa area frustrated the British-American plan to force the Italians and Germans simultaneously to face frontal attacks from the Americans and from the Eighth Army. He claimed that the. Eighth Army launched a limited attack, which proved a fiasco. He said light British forces were attacking north-west of Ksar Hilane in an attempt to penetrate between Shott el Jerid and the Ma twit a mountains. These mountains begin about 30 miles west of Mareth and extend south-east to a point between Ksar Hilane and Foum Tatahouine. Prospect in North Captain Sertorius concluded: "The British in Northern Tunisia will continue on the defensive for the time being, but no doubt they will be allotted a part in the general offensive. Their attack is planned for the next phase, which may begin within a few days." A Gorman communique says that strong British and American forces are attacking the Italian positions in Central and Southern Tunisia on heavy ground. Air battles are proceeding. The Berlin radio claims that Italian and German forces repulsed-'General Montgomery's frontal attaek. An Italian communique says: "The enemy, on Sunday, after intense artillery preparation, launched a violent offensive in Central and Southern Tunisia. Fierce fighting is progressing." BOMBER ABLAZE INCENDIARIES EXPLODED LONDON. March 2a All six members of the crew of a Royal Air Force bomber have won awards for gallantry. The official citation says that, in the face of an appalling situation, they observed the highest traditions of the Royal Air Force. They were attacking Milan on February 14 when a burst from an enemy night fighter exploded their load of incendiaries. The fuselage quickly became a mass of flames, which roared around the turret of the mid-gunner as he shot down the enemy fighter. Then, although badly burned about the hands and face, he climbed down through the blaze to free the rear gunner, who had been wounded. I'he situation had become extremely critical and the pilot ordered the crew to prepare to abandon the aircraft. "When lie learned that one of his comrades was helpless the pilot decided, in spite of the grave risk, to attempt a forced landing. 'l'he bomber went down to 800 feet. By rhis time three of the crew had got the blaze under control and the pilot decided to fly the badly-damaged bomber home, a distance of 1000 miles. He regained height, but over the Alps one engine failed. In spite of this the pilot brought his aircraft safely back. PRISONERS EXECUTED (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) STOCKHOLM!, March 22 The execution of all prisoners in a concentration camp at Kovno, East Poland, as a. reprisal for the death of some German and Dutch guards during an attempt to break out. is announced in a Ukrainian newspaper published by the Germans. The number executed is not stated, i