HEAVY RAIN OF SHELLS

Southland Times, Issue 25025, 10 April 1943, Page 5

HEAVY RAIN OF SHELLS

ATTACK BY IST ARMY (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, April 8. Describing the Ist Army's assault the Exchange Telegraph’s correspondent with the advanced forces says the attack was launched at 4 a.m. yesterday at commanding heights held by the enemy in the Medjez el Bab , area. Our troops at dawn penetrated the enemy positions and were continuing the advance into the hills. Tanks wiped out enemy strong-points, which gave the infantry trouble. The heaviest barrage ever known in northern Tunisia preceded the attack. British guns of all calibres threw tons of high explosives into enemy positions in the course of a 20-minute non-stop barrage. It appeared to catch the enemy by surprise because it was a long time before he replied. Meantime the infantry was advancing into the battle. The barrage died down as the infantry came in close contact with the enemy and for an hour the rat tat of machine-guns was heard from the hills. A message came with the first light of dawn that the lower hills had been captured and that the infantry was pressing on. Enemy guns began to operate. Our artillery took up the challenge and then our tanks advanced towards the foothills. They spread out and the enemy was unable to find the range with either his guns or All the tanks went on steadily into the enemy’s positions, using their six pounder shells. Although the enemy’s mortar fire was at times heavy, the infantry could be seen advancing across country towards the enemy positions. The advance was not rapid as the infantry had to wipe out many strong points. Describing gunfire which preceded the Ist Army’s advance, a correspondent says:’ “There was a continuous crash of guns reverberating through the valley. From a hill I could see the guns flashing out high explosive shells and lighting up the whole valley. The guns formed an arc of twinkling lights while the continuous whine of shells was like a howling gale.” Another message states that the Ist Army has advanced five miles and taken 250 prisoners.