SERIOUS SETBACK

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22476, 11 January 1943, Page 5

SERIOUS SETBACK

Air Force Hobbled In North Africa

Rain, Mud And Lack Of

Aerodromes

By Telegraph—N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright (6.30 p.m.) LONDON. Jan. 8. “There is a general impression among well-informed circles in London that although the Allied air forces in North Africa outnumber the Germans and Italians several times over, they have been deprived, for the time being, of a chance of playing a decisive part in the Tunisian battle,” states the aeronautical correspondent of the “Daily Mail.” “The lack of aerodromes sufficiently near Bizerta and Tunis to permit an air attack in crushing strength, and continued bad weather are responsible. The hobbling of our air forces is a serious setback. It means a more prolonged and more expensive campaign and It throws greatly increased responsibility on the ground forces. Might Have Won Campaign “It is fairly certain that the campaign might have been won in a fortnight if Lieutenant-General Anderson had been able to hold the heights overlooking Bizerta and Tunis, which were actually reached in the first advance. It seems probable that LieutenantGeneral Anderson, at one time held the vital Jedeida aerodrome. There is approximately 100 miles of rough country between Jedeida and the most forward Allied aerodrome which is capable of accommodating modern warplanes. The present almost continuous rain which is flooding the aerodromes and army camps may continue well into February.” “The United Nations are losing precious time in North Africa,” states the military correspondent of the “Daily Express,” who points out that a great quantity of valuable shipping will be tied up in supplying the North African force until the Germans and Italians are cleared from Africa. An easement of the shipping position through the re-openlng of the Mediterranean has also been postponed.” The correspondent adds: “Hitler probably argued that if he can continue this state of affairs well into the summer, the Allies will have insufficient shipping to mount an attack against Western' Europe. Rains Flood Aerodromes Stating that rain and mud which can be expected to last at least until March are given as the causes of the First Army’s hold-up in Tunisia, “Strategicus” in the “Spectator” observes: “No one imagines that the weather in Russia is exactly stimulating." Be that as it may, all reports from Tunisia confirm reports of heavy rain and seas of mud which are also affecting aerodromes. If the weather holds up the British offensive until March, Hitler will gain valuable time for building up his forces in Tunisia and for building fortresses in Europe against invasion. Altogether the North African picture does not appear as rosy as it did last month and with the Eighth Army making slower porgress, largely due to the long lines of communication, it may be dull for some time. It is expected that Mr Churchill may comment on the Tunisian situation when Parliament returns from the recess. Withdrawal from Mateur Details of the action in which the enemy yesterday dislodged British troops from positions 15 miles east of Mateur, in Tunisia, which were captured on the previous day, are given by a correspondent at Allied Headquarters. “The Germans succeeded in dislodging an infantry battalion holding the Jebel Assig Ridge, and they also retook a hill further north which commandos had captured,” he states. “Our troops fought hard to regain the hills but against a strong cross-fire and after hard fighting throughout the day, they withdrew under cover of darkness. Royal Air Force fighters and Hurricane bombers gave our troops active support, attacking infantry and batteries and machine-gunning enemy troops.”

The correspondent adds that American aircraft carried out three raids in the neighbourhood of Kairouan yesterday. Bostons, escorted by Lightor-gs, bombed a military camp, and later another group of Bostons, escorted by Kittyhawks, bombed the same objective. Direct hits were scored on railway yards and on buildings on either side of the yard. Fighters made many sorties yesterday, shooting down three enemy aeroplanes against the loss of two. Tunis and Sousse were again bombed on Wednesday night. Hits were scored on a railway depot, and large fires were started at Sousse, where a ship is reported to have been hit. Fifty men from the French Camel Corps routed an Italian force of 400 in southern Tunisia. Some 200 of the enemy were killed or captured. The rest fled. It has been announced by the French authorities that German parachutists dropped at St. Arnaud, 40 miles from Coats and 85 miles southwest of Phillippeville, in Algeria, were accompanied by one Arab in civilian clothes. All were rounded up and arrested, thanks to the help of Arabs in the district. One Arab parachutist was court-martialled and shot.