TUNISIAN COMMAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 December 1942, Page 3

TUNISIAN COMMAND

ROMMEL MAY BE WITHDRAWN GERMANY FORMING ERSATZ ARMY. OF MEN FROM OCCUPIED COUNTRIES. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) NEW YORK, December 27. The Stockholm correspondent of the “New York Times” says it is reported in informed quarters in Berlin that Field-Marshal Rommel will be withdrawn and succeeded by General Nehring. The correspondent also says it is reported from Berlin that plans have been completed to create an “ersatz Wehrmacht” consisting of 2,000,000 men drawn from the occupied countries. This auxiliary army, which is intended to make up the huge German losses in Russia, will be entrusted with only routine tasks with the German armies in the rear. It will be trained in Germany and commanded by Belgian officers. BeL gium and Holland will be ordered to contribute 600,000 to 900,000 men, Estonia and Latvia 250.000, Ruthenia 100,000, the Ukraine 500,000, Norway 100,000. and France 200,000. The low figure for France reflects the German despair of French aid. NARROWING GAP BETWEEN ARMIES IN LIBYA & TUNISIA. DISTANCE NOW ABOUT 450 MILES. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.20 a.m.) RUGBY, December 28. With the arrival at Wadi Bei, about 10 miles from Buerat, the Eighth Army has covered more than half the distance to Tripoli from Mersa Brega, where the present advance began. All this stretch has been desert, but the remaining 190 miles is well watered, especially beyond Misurata, 85 miles ahead. The gap between the Allied forces at either end of the Mediterranean is narrowed to about 450 miles and El Alamein is now left nearly 800 miles behind. On the other side of ’the gap the stage is set for the next phase of the fighting in Tunisia, which is increasing as larger forces are brought' up.