ALLIES DIFFICULTIES IF ROMMEL REACHES TUNISIA

Otaki Mail, 25 January 1943, Page 4

ALLIES DIFFICULTIES IF ROMMEL REACHES TUNISIA

LONDON, Jan. 21. ‘‘ An effective union of Rommel’s Afrika Korps with the German forces in Eastern Tunisia will present the Allied commanders with the most difficult tactical situation they have yet faced in North Africa,” says the correspondent of the London Evening Standard at Allied Headquarters. The correspondent continues: ‘‘lt is unlikely that the Allies will be able to launch anything more than limited, attacks to prevent this union. Suph attacks will hamper but not prevent the junction of the two armies and their formation into a formidable force estimated at least 160,000 men operating on supply lines which are considerably shorter than ours. ‘‘lf this force could hold the bridgehead to Tunisia until the end of the summer, our use of North Afriea as a base for operations against the European coastline would be impossible. ‘‘There is every reason to believe that the Germans will attempt to make such a stand and even to launch strong local offensives through Mateur, southwest of Bizerta, and Medjez el Bab, southwest of Terburba.

‘‘Nobody here is too optimistic over the Allies’ chance of preventing the Axis armies joining, nor does anyone consider that the coming campaign to oust the Germans will be anything but long, arduous, and costly,” concludes the correspondent. It is certain that General Montgomery will follow Rommel over the Tunisian frontier, but after the delay of the last few months, it is improbable that the Eighth Army will be able to assault the enemy’s positions without spending a considerable time resting, re-grouping and consolidating. We must realise (1), that the enemy within a month has become numerically as strong as, or stronger than, the Allies, with more experienced commanders; (2), that they will receive sufficient supplies to fight a prolonged defensive action; (3) that the Allies in Tunisia cannot afford immediately to launch a full-scale attack against the junction of the two German armies.