FIERCE FIGHTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 February 1943, Page 3

FIERCE FIGHTING

IN SEVERAL TUNISIAN AREAS Flying Fortresses Attack Tunis Docks / HITS SCORED ON SHIPS ENTERING HARBOUR ACTIVITIES OF THE EIGHTH ARMY LONDON. February 2. A communique from Allied Headquarters in North Africa reported the capture of the village of Paid but a later message stated that the Allied troops had withdrawn after wiping out the German garrison. East of Sidi Bouzaid fierce fighting is taking place in the Paid Pass, on the main road from Sfax to Central Tunisia. Allied forces, supported by tanks and aircraft, attacked the enemy at Paid. In Central Tunisia, Allies counter-attacked, after the enemy had made a slight gain south-west of Pont du Fahs. The position was restored. At one point German dive-bombers tried to attack the Allied troops, but were themselves attacked by fighters, which shot down three of them. Flying* Fortresses attacked the docks at Tunis. Hits were scored on two ships in a convoy entering the harbour. Patrols of the British Eighth Army are active on all sectors of the front west of Tripoli. Beyond Zuara the guns of both Slides are active. Though there is no official news of any further progress by the British Eighth Army it is not likely that things are at. a standstill.