IN TUNISIA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 40, 18 February 1943, Page 5

IN TUNISIA

U.S. TROOPS RESIST GERMANS GEN. EISENHOWER PLANS REGROUPING

(By Telegraph—Prese Association—Copyright) (Recd. 10.5 p.m.) London, Feb. 16 General Eisenhower, after visiting the front, told the Press that it was part of his policy to regroup the American forces in Tunisia in units at least the size of a division.

His statement was made in reply to questions by correspondents whether it was the Allied policy to split up and subordinate the American Army in Tunisia when it witnessed American divisions broken up and scattered •throughout the front under French and British generals. Reuter’s correspondent in North Africa says it is reliably reported that Rommel is in Germany, seriously ill. He flew to Berlin from El Alouina aerodrome, near Tunis, some time ago. The identity of Rommel’s successor in Tunisia is not known.

Admiral Cunningham stated that the enemy had still enough shipping for a Tunisian “Dunkirk,” but his losses would be heavy because the ships must cross over 80 miles of water. Admiral Cunningham added that his greatest hope was that the Germans would try

a Dunkirk and bring out the Italian Fleet to help . them. Britain and America lost less than 2 per cent, of 780 ships, totalling 6,500,000 tons, which sailed to North Africa since November 8. The Italians and Germans in January lost nearly a third of their ships on the way to Tunisia. “But they are still getting in too much,” he added. “A supply war is going on at both ends of the Mediterranean. The tonnage entering Tripoli is mounting daily. It is only a question of time before General Montgomery can move forward.”

Admiral Cunningham added that his new command, which was coming into effect in four days, would include Malta, Tripoli and Sardinia.