PROCEEDING AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 November 1942, Page 3

PROCEEDING AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE

A JU ■ Allied Units Reported in Contact with Enemy IN NEAR NEIGHBOURHOOD OF NAVAL BASE BOTH SIDES POURING IN REINFORCEMENTS LONDON, November 16. According to the Morocco radio the advance of the Allied forces into Tunisia is going on as quickly as possible. An American correspondent reports that the Allies made contact with German forces in the vicinity of the great naval base of Bizerta, 75 miles inside Tunis. Both Italian and German troops have reached Tunisia. The Germans are stated to have been ordered to defend their positions to the end. A correspondent in Algeria says the enemy is pouring in both land and air forces as fast as he can, but the British First Army, under General Anderson, is racing to forestall the enemy. In another attack on the enemy-occupied aerodrome at Tunis, R.A.F. planes destroyed six grounded aircraft, .damaged several others and shot down an enemy fighter. British and American reconnaissance forces, well inside Tunisia, are paving the way for the main forces. General Eisenhower declared that the reconnaissance groups are seeking the best way through the mountains for General Anderson’s main army, which is “advancing as fast as possible and according to plan. ” He added that the French, garrisons in Tunisia continue spiritedly to resist the influx of Axis forces, and are firing on their transport planes. General Eisenhower on Saturday night moved his headquarters eastward in order to direct operations, personally against Tunisia. The bulk of the American forces are moving eastward to support the First Army. Correspondents emphasise the vast numbers of men whom the Allies are pouring in to augment General Anderson’s forces, which the French are not opposing, but, on the contrary, are considerably helping. A convoy whose total tonnage runs well into six figures has landed more troops at Algiers without the loss of a single life. The first clash between French troops and an Axis land force in Tunisia is reported to have taken place yesterday afternoon. A French guards regiment opened fire on a German reconnaissance party from Tunis, which was forced to retire. Fighting French headquarters in London has stated that it will have no part in any negotiations with Vichy and will not participate in decisions involving any recognition of Vichy in Africa. The Fighting French want an arrangement under which all French overseas possessions will be united. Marshal Petain has declared Admiral Darlan to be deprived of all command and authority. G*ENOA AGAIN BOMBED A heavy tonnage of bombs was dropped on Genoa in a sixth attack by British planes and for the third time the longround trip was made without the loss of a single aircraft. The port, town and docks were in clear view and the pilots saw the empty shells of buildings damaged in previous raids. In the course of the attack Italian searchlights went out one by one until none were left.