THRUST BY ROMMEL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25173, 13 March 1943, Page 5

THRUST BY ROMMEL

MARETH LINE FIGHTING ALLIED FLANKING MOVE (Rec. 7 p.m.) RUGBY, Mar. 11. . The Eighth Army has been in action well west of the Mareth defences. A special supplementary communique from Allied headquarters states that fighting has occurred opposite the salt marshes, 50 miles west of the Mareth defences: The Eighth Army inflicted casualties on the enemy, who left many vehicles burning. The enemy was reported to be using tanks. The R.A.F. gave useful support during the day, and it is now reported that the enemy forces have been repulsed. The British United Press says that Rommel again attacked Ksar Rhilpie, apparently trying to protect his right wing, which extends right into the hills. Ksar Rhilane is a road junction at the extreme south-west of the Mareth Line positions and beyond the Mareth Line proper. An Algiers message reports that a small force of German tanks and armoured vehicles engaged the French before the Mareth Line yesterday. The Germans retreated iri disorder after losing a number of tanks, lorries, and armoured cars, Allied fighterbombers scoring direct hits on them. The German force included some motorised infantry. Threat to Axis Rear

Threats to the rear of the Axis forces in the Mareth Line are reappearing with the advances of the Allied forces in Central Tunisia. The occupation of Gafsa, which would provide a base for a thrust along the railway to Maknassi and the coast, is likely to be achieved soon. It is probable that the enemy has already begun to evacuate Gafsa to avoid beifig trapped between the French, British, and American columns pressing from the west and the north. The French forces have stormed and captured the important mining centre of Metalaoui, about halfway between Tozeur and Gafsa. They are now 24 miles from Gafsa. At a press conference in Washington the Secretary for War, Mr H. L. Stimson, disclosed that the Fighting French had made contact with other French legions in a flanking movement around the southern end of the Mareth Line, thereby sealing the trap on Marshal Rommel’s troops. Mr Stimson announced that United States casualties in North Africa from February 14 to February 20, the period of the Allied retreat and initial coun-ter-attack, totalled 2242, of which 59 were killed, 176 wounded, and 2007 missing, probably taken prisoner. Mr Stimson added that over 1000 Germans and Italians were taken prisoner.

During the month over 100 enemy tanks were captured or destroyed. Mr Stimson said the Allied forces in Tunisia had much the better of the fight in the past week. The highly mobile Axis forces had been extremely active, but the net result had been decidedly unfavourable to them. During 10 days of sharp fighting the Allied forces backed towards the Algerian border, but subsequently regained most of the lost ground. First Army’s Counter-attack

Detailing the First Army’s repulse of the enemy attack yesterday to the west of Sed Jenane, the correspondent of the British United Press in Algiers says that the Axis attack was launched six miles from Sed Jenane and three miles north-east of Tamera. The enemy threw in four infantry battalions, which were supported by artillery and dive-bombers. The First Army held the drive and then counterattacked and drove the enemy back. Spitfires helped to break the drive against Sed Jenane. R.A.F. pilots swept along the Jefna-Sed Jenane road, destroyed several staff cars and lorries, and silenced gun positions.