HARD FIGHTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 November 1942, Page 3

HARD FIGHTING

EXPECTED IN TUNISIA AIR & LAND BASES. TASK OF THE FIRST ARMY. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, November 16. The Rabat radio broadcast a communique from Allied headquarters which stated: “The spearhead of the British troops is advancing with the greatest possible speed toward eastern Tunisia. Forty-two Axis planes were shot down in aerial combat in Tunisia and 19 were set on fire on the ground.” Describing yesterday’s three raids on the Tunis aerodrome, the Air Ministry said that all our aircraft returned safely from the two night raids made by R.A.F. bombers. It seems certain that we will see some hard fighting in Tunisia, says the military correspondent of “The Times.” This phase, in which General Anderson’s First Army has taken over the chief role, is likely to prove by far the most difficult. The Germans have evidently made up their minds to fight with all the available strength, and the short-sided triangle Sicily-Sardinia-Tunisia favours their air force. It represents short flights for troop-carrying aircraft, which can be effectively covered by fighters, and it likewise represents short sea passages. The advantage on land still seems strongly 'on our side, but it may take General Anderson a little while to bring his heavy forces into action. It must be realised that Bona, the most easterly port vze are likely to use at present, is 120 miles west of Bizerta. •The provision of Spitfires is also indispensible to General' Anderson’s advance. , , The Rome radio says that General Walter Nehring, a panzer expert who fought in Russia, has been appointed commander in chief of the Axis forces in Tunisia. He has issued a proclamation appealing to the French and native . troops to fight with the Axis “against the common enemy.” It is officially stated at headquarters jof the Allied forces: “The British First Army has been reinforced by mobile United States units. The Royal Navy maintains control in the western Mediterranean and its approaches. This naval force has suffered losses, but these have been small in proportion to the size of the operations, and the casualties on the whole have been we took into custody an officer ancT the crew of a U-boat sunk off the North African coast. “Small French military units have begun to co-operate with the eastern and central task forces at their station. The clearance and maintenance of ports and harbours proceeds.”