ROMMEL’S PUSH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 61, 15 March 1943, Page 5

ROMMEL’S PUSH

COMMENT BY GENERAL MONTGOMERY “HE MUST HAVE BEEN MAD” Recd. 6 p.m. London, March 12. "He must have been mad,’’ was General Montgomery's comment on Rommel’s attack on March 6 against the Eighth Army, reports the British United Press correspondent in Tunisia. General Montgomery was touring the scene of battle, personally congratulating the Eighth Army gunners. The General added: "When you catch a rat in a trap he kicks out in all directions. Rommel first kicked out against the First Army and the Americans, and I suppose he thought he had to attack me, too.

“The Eighth Army is so strong that we beat him off without losing a tank. He lost 40 tanks in this sector alone. When Rommel attacks me he attacks and experienced army. That is just what we want.

“I wish he would do it again.” The latest attack against the Eighth Army is in the Ksarrhilane area. Fighting went on from dawn on March 10 until dusk.

It is learned that Rommel's craclt 10th. Panzer Division suffered most heavily, which must have proved especially disconcerting to the Axis command.

Reuter's correspondent with the First Army says that batmen, orderlies, cooks, and other "camp followers" beat off a sharp attack against a British battalion headquarters in the undulating country ot the Sed Jenane area. Two German companies attacked, but the camp followers made such a determined stand that the Germans were forced to retreat.