TWO PORTS LEFT

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22470, 4 January 1943, Page 5

TWO PORTS LEFT

Allied Operations In

Tunisia

Sfax And Susa Heavily Damaged By Telegraph—N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright (9.30 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 2. The British United Press Cairo correspondent says that reconnaissance photographs have shown that the ceaseless Allied bombing has vitally damaged Sfax and Susa. Report suggest that Gabes and Bizerta are the only workable ports left to the Germans in Tunisia. A Cairo correspondent says that sd heavy have been air bombardments on Sfax that it is probable that many harbour installations have been damaged so badly that their usefulness is at an end. Heavy bombers of the Allied Air Force in the past fortnight carried out a series of raids which have been as successful as any harbour attacks in North Africa. In assessing the damage of the last few days, a pilot who recently returned from an observation flight, and who has photographs to confirm his statements, reports that the railway roadhouse is nothing more than a black scar, and that serious damage has been done co all other railway buildings. A large factory northward of the harbour has also been partly destroyed, as have warehouses on the northern quay. An important railway track leading to Sfax has been hit in no fewer than 11 places, and many waggons on sidij)g£. have been blown up, while a large section of the wharf on the northern quay has been destroyed. There appears to be little activity in this important area sa/s the correspondent. Very few of the tracks have been filled in and a majority of railway waggons are standing about empty. Once busy sidings appear to be deserted. It is announced that British units now fighting in Tunisia include the Coldstream and Grenadier Guards, the Northamptonshire Regiment and the Lancashire Fusiliers. The East Surreys and Hampshires have already been mentioned as taking part in the fighting. Major-General G. Patton, United States Commander of the Western Task Force in North Africa has, according to Morocco radio, put 30,000,000 francs at the disposal of the French authorities at Rabat for the relief of air-raid victims. Early Advance Fails The attempt by advanced units of the First Army to race far ahead of the main force and grab Tunis and Bizerta before the enemy was able to organise his defences did not come off, says the military correspondent of the “Daily Express.” General Nehring organised a mobile armoured force and backed by dive-bombers which, although not numerous, were practically unopposed, was able to force our men to abandon the attempt. We could not bring up weapons to combat enemy tanks and Stukas, and had not the-air cover. It has been apparent since then. that caution has been the watchword. It is evident we are not attempting to attack until overwhelmingly strong. Bad weather has dogged General Anderson with indifferent roads too slippery in the forward areas to besr heavy equipment, while new!y-b"!’t airfields have been waterlogged for weeks, grounding the fighters. In addition the enemy in the last few weeks has been able to considerably augment his forces, which may now number between 40,000 and 50,000. The correspondent concludes: “Ono danger is that General Nehring might attempt to drive us back to the Algerian frontier before we are able to complete our preparations. Much depends on the speed with which General Montgomery can catch up and again close with Rommel, but he is operating 400 miles from his nearest port, Benghazi, and is facing great supply problems. An Allied Force Headquarters communique states—“ Enemy aircraft attacking Bone yesterday were intercepted by our fighters and two other attacks were turned back before reaching Bone. Four enemy aircraft were shot down by our fighters and a number of others damaged. Our bombers made attacks on the harbour and railroad yards at Tunis yesterdy. Fires were left burning. Six of our planes are missing from these operations.”