IN EIGHTH ARMY DRIVE ON TRIPOLI

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 January 1943, Page 3

IN EIGHTH ARMY DRIVE ON TRIPOLI

Pursuing Troops Racing Along Coastal Route AND SWINGING IN THROUGH ROUGH COUNTRY IN THE SOUTH AIR FORCES POUNDING ENEMY BY DAY AND NIGHT LONDON, January 19. THE BRITISH EIGHTH ARMY IS NOW WELL BEYOND MISURATA, IN ITS ADVANCE ALONG THE TRIPOLITANIAN COAST, WHILE ITS INLAND FORCES HAVE SWUNG IN TOWARDS TRIPOLI FROM THE DESERT. The advance continued all along' the front yesterday and by nightfall British forward troops were within 90 miles of Tripoli on the coastal route. It is reported that further progress was made today. A 8.8. C. correspondent, describing yesterday’s operations, said the enemy made little attempt to hold the British forces on the right flank, which advanced another 20 miles. In 24 hours these troops had advanced over 50 miles. At the southern end of the front, progress has been slower, in rough country. Rearguard actions were fought with the enemy armoured forces and a number of Axis tanks were knocked out. It is not clear exactly how far the British advanced in this southern area, but they are headed towards Tripoli in the direction of a place 40 miles south of the enemy principal port and base. Allied aircraft continue to pound the retreating enemy forces by day and night. Tripoli and its airfields, particularly that at Castel Benito, are being attacked relentlessly by Allied planes operating from Libya, Malta and Tunisia. Tripoli was raided by Malta-based medium bombers for the fourth night in succession. Fires were started in the power station, among military stores and in the main railway station. In daylight, American Liberator bombers continued the attacks, inflicting much damage on the targets. At Castel Benito, American planes scored many hits on the airfield. Land fighting’ in Tunisia is restricted to infantry and artillery engagements. The enemy has gained some ground southwest of Port du Fahs, in Southern Tunisia. ‘ ‘ Our advance continued yesterday, ’ ’ states a communique from Cairo, It says that in the northern sector troops of the Eighth Army reached Zliten area, having 1 passed through Misurata and Garibaldi. (Zliten is 30 miles beyond Misurata). In the southern sector forces have driven the enemy from one area and inflicted tank losses, and are now in contact with the enemy in the Tahuma area. Allied fighter-bombers continued to harass the withdrawing enemy. Castel Benito, the most important enemy air base in the Tripoli area, was heavily attacked, and more than 30 fires broke out among dispersed aircraft. A large number of fires were also started at an important road junction south of Tripoli. Tripoli itself was bombed by day and night, and targets in Tunisia, Sicily and Lampedusa Island were also raided. There were no losses in all the air operations.