RACE FOR TUNISIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 November 1942, Page 4

RACE FOR TUNISIA

FACTORS THAT FAVOUR ALLIES IMPORTANCE OF BIZERTA. 1 VITAL STRATEGIC KEYPOINT. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day. 12.35 p.m.) LONDON, November, 13. The race between the BritishAmerican forces and the Axis for the occupation of Tunisia, which at present is the keypoint of the Allied strategy, continues. The Vichy radio tonight admitted that Allied troops had occupied Bona, which is about 60 miles from the frontier and 125 miles from Bizerta. “The Times” correspondent at Allied Headauarters in North Africa says time favours the Allies, who can move by land, sea and air, whereas the Axis is believed to be very short of shipping and must move troops by sea and air, under threat of the increasing Allied naval forces in the Mediterranean. German and Italian troops are reported in the past days to have been reinforcing frontier defences built by the French army years ago. The “Daily Mail” points out that the great French naval base of Bizerta is the key to the Middle Sea, being only 150 miles from the Italian naval base of Cagliara in Sardinia, 170 miles from Trapani in Sicily and 140 miles from the fortified island of Pantellaria. Possession of Bizerta is essential if great objectives are to be attained. Complete control of the Mediterranean is impossible without Bizerta and an invasion of Italy could not be contemplated. But with Bizerta, Malta and Tripoli in our hands we should occupy an impregnable strategic triangle. _____________