IN CLOSE CONTACT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 December 1942, Page 3

IN CLOSE CONTACT

ALLIED AND ENEMY FORCES IN TUNISIA

Air Attacks on Axis Transport and Bases

PLANES FROM MALTA PLAYING EFFECTIVE

PART

EIGHTH ARMY ADVANCE IN LIBYA

LONDON. December 30.

A North African communique states that a forward patrol engaged a small enemy detachment, inflicting casualties and taking prisoners. British artillery shelled enemy positions in the Maidous area, six miles north of Medjez el Bab. Enemy transport on roads was bombed and machine-gunned on Monday night. One enemy fighter was shot down by patrolling lighters yesterday. Allied planes bombed Sousse and other objectives. No planes are missing. A communique from the French North African Headquarters states that yesterday French forces threw back a violent enemy counter-attack, supported, by many tanks. In one sector the enemy gained a little ground at heavy cost. Elsewhere, the French forces improved their positions. Allied aircraft based on Malta have added their weight to the attacks on Axis forces in Tunisia. They bombed Tunis and Sousse on Monday night. Fires started at Sousse could be seen 50 miles away. An enemy supply ship was sunk by naval tor-pedo-carrying aircraft, based on Malta. General Montgomery’s Eighth Army is still following Rommel’s retreat. Yesterday advance patrols were in contact with the enemy rearguard west of Wadi Bei El Kebir.