GOOD POSITIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 December 1942, Page 3

GOOD POSITIONS

TAKEN BY BRITISH GUARDS HARD STRUGGLE EXPECTED FOR MAIN RIDGE. BOGGED GROUND IMPEDING ACTIVITY. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, December 27. The British United Press correspondent in Algiers said yesterday that after the Christmas fighting, the British at Medjez El Bab hold good positions but a hard struggle is expected before the taking of the main ridge control--ling a large stretch of country. Heavy rains have pulped the ground which is very difficult for tanks, necessitating" it drying out before a large-scale offensive. Last night’s Fighting French communique reported that an enemy motorised detachment was put to flight at Fezzan after two days’ fighting. A French headquarters communique said: “South of Point du Fahs we made an important advance and also improved our positions between Bizerta and Kairwan. ; The “Daily Telegraph’s” special correspondent, describing the Guards’ attack on Christmas Eve, says the British and Americans put up the heaviest barrage so far in North Africa. The countryside was a sheet of flame as concealed 25-pounders and 105-milli-meter guns for 24 hours pounded 2000 shells against the enemy whose positions seemed to boil. The Germans vigorously replied after the cessation of Allied fire.