WELL ON THE RUN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 January 1943, Page 4

WELL ON THE RUN

ROMMEL GETTING OUT OF TRIPOLITANIA STAND UNLIKELY SHORT OF MARETH LINE. PEOPLE OF TRIPOLI CALM. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 12.5 p.m.) RUGBY, January 24. The latest operations in and around Tripoli are described by a wireless commentator who says there is no doubt that Rommel has withdrawn the bulk of his troops cut of Tripolitania. According to correspondents at the front, he had sent most of the Italians back first this time, though elements of many Italian units were taking part rjn the fighting.

Also it had been thought worth while to throw in some of the precious remaining armour to hold back the Eighth Army while the evacuation went on, but the streams of transport from Tripolitania into Tunisia had already had about the most merciless pounding in the whole history of war, and it looked from the map as if Rommel would find it difficult to make any sort of stand until he reached the Mareth Line, in Tunisia. The commentator also says that United States fighters and fighterbombers of the Ninth United States Air Force, operating from a base in the Tripoli vicinity, continued yesterday to strike at the enemy withdrawing to the west. Numerous direct hits on a moving transport were observed and vehicles were set on fire by ground strafing. All the aircraft returned. ALLIED AIR ATTACKS EXTENDED OVER WIDE AREAS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.5 a.m.) RUGBY, January 24. An Allied North Africa communique states: “The enemy has occupied a hill in the Djebel Bou Dabous, on the east side of the Ousseltia Valley. Light bombers, fighter-bombers and fighters supported our troops during the day. On the previous night bombers attacked enemy communications and an aerodrome in the Kairouan region. Heavy bombers attacked the docks at Bizerta yesterday. One ship was sunk. Many combats with enemy fighters occurred and nineteen of them were destroyed without loss to ourselves. The sweep by bombers and fighters between Tunis and Sicily resulted in the sinking of two small enemy vessels. One enemy bomber was destroyed. Our fighters, attacking the road from Tripolitania to Tunisia, destroyed many enemy vehicles and one enemy fighter. Three enemy bombers were destroyed last night. Seven of our aircraft are missing.”