SECOND EDITION NEW ATTACK

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24554, 9 April 1943, Page 4

SECOND EDITION NEW ATTACK

NORTH TUNISIA FIRST ARMY MOVES MUCH GROUND GAINED By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Recti. 1.10 a.m.) LONDON, April 8 Allied forces are now strongly on the offensive in Northern Tunisia. The British First Army yesterday morning attacked the salient held by the Germans some <lO miles west of Tunis. To-day's Allied communique says the attack was successful and our men took prisoners and gained much ground. Dealing with the Eighth Army's activities, t lie communique said the pursuit of the enemy continues relentlessly and many more prisoners, together with much abandoned material, have been taken. In the counter-attack Rommel launched as the Allies first broke through his positions the enemy was decisively defeated and suffered heavy losses. French troops again co-operated closely on the southern flank with the Americans, and in a successful advance, captured a number of prisoners. All-out Offensive Expected According to the Vichy radio the First Army has launched an attack, which is believed to be on a large scale in the Medjez el Bab area. A Berlin report says General Anderson hasi enormous superiority in men and 1 material, which lie will try to exploit to the maximum. An all-out Allied offensive along the whole Tunisian front is expected. The Eighth Army has now reached within 10 miles of La Skirra, the first important town on the Tunisian coast, i north of Wadi el Akarit, putting them i about 20 miles north of Gabes, reports | the Algiers radio. The Americans north | of Malenassy, pushing toward the ' coastal plain before Sfax, have advanced ; to the entrance of Maizil Pass. Great Strategic Gain

Heater's correspondent at Allied headquarters, referring to the meeting of the Eighth Army's left flank with the Americans from F.I Guettar, says the historic link-up opened a new phase of the North African campaign. The Allies are now on the threshold of the successful completion of their first great offensive action. They for the first time have a direct land supply route from the Atlantic to the Red Sea.

The Eighth Army has now shortened its line of communication by several thousand miles. Although the sea route through the Mediterranean is not yet completely clear, the land route along the southern shores is freed for Allied use The Eighth Army has achieved a strategic gain as great as the immediate military success.