TUNISIAN CAMPAIGN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 December 1942, Page 4

TUNISIAN CAMPAIGN

ALLIED HEADQUARTERS REPORT CLOSE CONTACT WITH ENEMY. SUCCESSFUL AIR ATTACKS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.5 a.m.) RUGBY, December 29. A communique issued from Allied Headquarters in North Africa states: — “Our patrols in the northern area of Tunisia were in contact with the enemy during the night of December 27. At the same time our bombers attacked roads behind the enemy’s lines. Both sides yesterday briefly shelled the other’s positions. Our forces destroy•ed two enemy tanks with artillery fire. Light enemy units attacked one of our positions, northward of Medjez el Bab, without success. “During air patrols in forward areas yesterday, one squadron of Spitfires, which encountered an enemy formation of six Junkers 88s, escorted by six Messerschmitts, shot down two Junkers and one Messerschmitt, for the loss of one of our fighters. P 38 and P 40 fighters made several attacks on enemy vehicles, destroying at least twelve of them. One of our fighters is missing. Other fighter formations attacked enemy trucks, carrying troops and gasoline supplies,- on the border of Tunisia ’ and Tripolitania. About twenty trucks were destroyed, most of them being left ablaze. Two of three enemy fighters attempting to attack one of our airfields were shot down. One enemy bomber was also destroyed.

“Hits were seen on the docks when Flying Fortresses yesterday attacked Sousse without loss. “After inflicting severe casualties on the enemy, our units have now withdrawn from hill nositions six miles north-east of Medjez el Bab.”