GERMAN CLAIMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24543, 27 March 1943, Page 7

GERMAN CLAIMS

AXIS MAIN LINES HELD ALLIED THRUSTS REPULSED LONDON, March 25 The German High Command communique states : "Enemy forces continue heavy attacks in the Central Tun isian area and in the Southern Tunisia defence zone. The Luftwaffe, on the Southern Tunisia front, intervened in defensive fighting with destructive results. "German and Italian forces, in fighting that sometimes developed into hand to-hand encounters, held on to their main fighting lines. The enemy, where they succeeded in penetrating the Axis positions, were ejected by counter-attacks. "After powerful artillery preparation in the early hours of Wednesday vastly superior American tank forces in the Maknassy area attacked on a broad front. Part of the American forces after many hours of fighting, succeeded temporarily in penetrating the Axis positions. German reserves immediately sealed the breaches, averting the danger of a far-flung envelopment. Meantime, other reserves threw back the Americans who broke through in a vigorous flanking attack. The Americans suffered heavy losses. .El Guettar Engagement "A German counter-attack east of El Guettar gained considerable ground, wiping out a great part of the American force which thrust eastward. "After being driven on the previous day to their original positions witli heavy losses, British desert troops advancing north of Sliott el Jerid reattacked Italian and German rearguards on Wednesday. The British failed to achieve their object, namely, to push the Axis forces into the main defence line Axis troops were forced to withdraw at only one point. "Major engagements did not occur on the eastern Mareth front on Wednesday,-' the communique claims, "the British confining themselves to raking Pommel's lines with artillery fire which the Axis batteries vigorously answered. British Dispositions "The impression is growing that General Montgomery is withdrawing many troops from the eastern bank of the Mareth Line for the purpose of filling the ranks of those formations pushing to the north of Shott el Jerid. The British force here consists of two tank divisions, an Indian infantry division and other supporting forces. "British motorised units in the region of Jebel Aboid. after a thorough artillerv preparation, attacked advanced' German units and prolonged and fierce fighting followed, but the Germans held the whole line, throwing the British back to their starting points. "The Americans in Tunisia also received reinforcements. The V irst Army is primarily aiming at Tunis ami Bizcrta, but the American drive in th* centre is directed against Qairwan GIRAUD AND DE GAULLE LONDON. March \>l> General Catroux. liaison officer between the Fighting French and General Giraud, arrived in Cairo yesterday on his way to Algiers to prepare for General de Gaulle's meeting with General Giraud. Before leaving Syria General Catroux set up a provisional Government for the election period. ARMY PROMOTIONS (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March '_'.s President Roosevelt has nominated for promotion to major-general 23 bri-gadier-generals, "including BrigadierGeneral C. Chennault, Commander of the United States force in China. He has also nominated 73 colonels to be brigadier-generals. They include Colonel William Donovan. Director of the Office of Strategic Services.