BITTER FIGHTING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25208, 24 April 1943, Page 5

BITTER FIGHTING

NO QUARTER ASKED EIGHTH ARMY’S ADVANCE (Rec. 2 a.m.) LONDON, Apl. 23. In the face of most desperate resistance the enemy has offered since El Alamein, the Eighth Army has bitten deeply into the outer Axis defences. A number of enemy positions have been taken in bayonet charges and all the German counter-attacks have been thrown back. ■ Reuter's correspondent ' with the Eighth Army says Takrouna village on a 1000-foot high steep-sided hill commanding wide observation to the north, was captured on Wednesday morning in a fierce bayonet charge after bitter nightlong fighting among boulders and ridges, from which German machine-gunners contested every yard with continuous accurate fire. Sharp engagements continue on the reverse slopes as pockets of enemy infantry are. mopped up. . V Using tommyguns, knives, and bayonets, our men forced back one group of Germans to the edge of a sheer precipice. No quarter was asked, and none was given. Several Germans were hurled hundreds of feet into the olive-covered valley below. An Italian communique is claiming that the Axis forces held renewed violent attacks by superior enemy forces.

The action on the First Army’s front mentioned in the Algiers communique on -Thursday began last Tuesday, when British infantry occupied a strategic height called “Banana Ridge,” three miles. east of Mejez-el-Bab, reports Reuter’s correspondent with the First Army. The Germans counter-attacked at night, but received a hot reception. Baulked in their attempts to storm the ridge, the Germans encircled it and thrust in the direction of Mejez-el-Bab, completely isolating the British. The enemy penetrated the British gun line, knocking out a few guns. Although the Germans fought well, they were pushed back and contact was re-established between the defenders and the main British force. “Our forces have suffered terrific casualties in the North African campaign, and have lost a lot of material,” said General Waring, national commander of the American Legion on his return to Washington from a visit to the Tunisian battle area. “ General Eisenhower's official casualties cover the Tunisian campaign only, and do not include others of the North African operations. There will be many more before the campaigns are finished. The American losses in North Africa are due to the fact that the United States army is new and is going into action for the first time.”