EFFORT TO DELAY EIGHTH ARMY

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 105, 28 January 1943, Page 5

EFFORT TO DELAY EIGHTH ARMY

Rearguard Fight Continues BRITISH ADVANCE LONDON, January 27. A communique from Cairo states that yesterday troops of the Eighth Army were in contact with enemy rearguards west of Zerir, which is southwest of the port of Zuara. Air activity was not on a large scale. A correspondent with the. Eighth Army states that 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 cross-country going Is bad, and on Monday there was considerable resistance from enemy rearguards. General Montgomery is planning a pincer movement against Rommel’s forces, according to Berlin radio, which said: A large number of men and strong tank formations are concentrating along .the coastal road leading to the Tunisian border. Obviously General Montgomery is again attempting to encircle the Germans.” It was also stated that a force of British tanks was seen to the southward. The German High Command has disclosed that Rommel’s armv is divided into two sections, one of infantry, and tanks proceeding along the coastal road, the other, only of tanks, driving into south Tunisia. Patrols in Tunisia. In central Tunisia, our forces have continued to operate toward the north in the Ousseltia Valley. Bad weather was reported here again on Monday. One correspondent says that Allied troops, patrolling north-west into the valley, advanced 15 miles before coming into contact with the enemy. The Germans have made no \ attempt to renew their offensive. The Berlin radio claimed yesterday that the Germans in Tunisia advanced in the western sector, drove the French in tlie central sector into the Atlas Mountains, and now hold all strategically important points. ,

ERADICATING FASCISM

British In Tripoli LONDON, January 26. A British proclamation has been issued in Tripoli outlining plans for the administration of the territory Mr. 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 nave been posted at special buildings in various parts of the occupied territory. The military government of the Italian population in Tripolitania will be firm but leaders and prominent members of the partv, 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. Till the end of the war Tripolitania will be administered as an enemy-occupied'territory, till its ultimate destiny is decided by the United Nations.