MARETH LINE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 22, 28 January 1943, Page 5

MARETH LINE

REACHED BY ROMMEL GENERAL MONTGOMERY MOPS UP STRAY GERMANS (By Telegraph—Pre*!* Apiociiition Copyri’ht) (Reed. 8.35 p.m.) London, Jan. 26. According to Paris radio Rommel has reached the Mareth Line and General von Arnim’s forces are moving to establish a junction. The Columbia Broadcasting System’s Cairo correspondent says the Eighth Army columns are striking west and mopping up stray German units. Superior weight, of arms and men will soon carry General Montgomery’s forces over the border into Tunisia and then the serious business will begin at the Mareth Line. The prospect of Rommel fighting another delaying action, this time at the Mareth Line, is being discussed in London. It is doubted whether he could make a more determined bid to halt the Eighth Army than he did at El Agheila or Wadi Zemzem, for it seems unlikely that von Arnheim, against whom the whole of the Anglo-American armies are piling up, can give him any reinforcement. If Rommel is unable to do more than fight a delaying action on this favourable position, it seems unlikely that he can defend south-east Tunisia at all, or do more than attempt to join von Arnheim in Tunisia and wait a formidable Allied assault from the west and the south, from the skies and from the sea. It is with this grim prospect before them that the German commanders will be watching the fate of their colleagues at Stalingrad. PROGRESS TO WEST ENEMY RESISTANCE (Recd. 5 pm.) Rugby, Jan. 26. A correspondent with the Eighth Army states that while to-day’s communique refers only to advances by our forward troops, there is no doubt we made progess in all sectors yesterday, perhaps more in the south than along the coastal road. General Montgomery’s forces are meeting much the same difficulties as they did east of the city last week. The roads are mined and in many places obstructed and blown up. The crosscountry going is bad, and yesterday there was considerable resistance from enemy rearguads. The enemy air bases at Medenin and Gardane in southern Tunisia, are being very heavily pounded by the

Allied air forces, and it is clear that one of our immediate objectives is to neutralise and contain these bases and the more forward landing grounds which threaten Tripoli. It is essential to get Tripoli Harbour working again, to replace Benghazi, which is 500 miles behind, as our principal supply base. A Cairo correspondent says that the Axis air attack on the Eighth Army yesterday was negligible. Allied fighter-bomber attacks were continued on Zuara, where a motor-vessel in the harbour was badly damaged with a direct hit. Without interruption from enemy fighters, bomber sweeps were carried out between Sabratha and Zuara an over the Tunisian frontier. We lost no aircraft.—B.OW. CHAD FORCES IN TRIPOLI London, Jan. 26. The vanguard of the Fighting French troops, advanced from the south, entered Tripoli yesterday and made contact with the British Command. General Leclerc’s forces have reached the Mediterranean 39 days after crossing the frontier into Libya. Since starting out from Chad they have fought their way up. through nearly 1500 miles of some of the most difficult country in North Africa. CONTROL IN TRIPOLI FASCIST ACTIVITIES BANNED London. Jan. 26. A British proclamation has been issued in Tripoli outlining plans for the administration of the territory. Mr. R. G. Casey, Minister, of State, in the Middle East said the plan was prepared before the Eighth Army’s advance. The proclamation calls on the population to be tranquil and obey orders. British military courts have been set up to deal with such war crimes as sabotage,, and arrangements have been made for supplies of food and medical treatment for civilians. Guards have been posted at special buildings in various parts of the occupied territory. The military govern; ment of the Italian population in Tripolitania will be firm but just.

Fascist leaders and prominent members of the party, whether officials or not, will be interned, and Fascist clubs and centres will be closed. The teaching of Fascist ideas in schools will be forbidden, and all Fascist funds in the banks will be permanently frozen. Existing Italian courts will try civilian crime, but under the control of the military government. Until the end of the war Tripolitania will be administered as an enemy occupied territory, until its ultimate destiny is decided by the United Nations. CLASH IN TUNISIA EXPECTED ANY HOUR (Recd. 11.50 p.m.) London, Jan. 27. The big clash seems nearer in Tunisia There is evidence of the concentration of Allied strength for the final bout with the Axis for possession of the whole of North Africa, says Reuter’s correspondent in Tunisia. The Americans have made considerable progress in the Ousseltia area and knocked out 15 German tanks in recent fighting north of the town. Berlin radio says the American army is preparing for increased activity south-east of Tebessa. Its advanced formations, pushing eastward and south-eastward, contacted Axis patrols at several points.