PANZER DIVISION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 February 1943, Page 3

PANZER DIVISION

USED BY THE ENEMY IN ATTEMPT TO WIDEN COASTAL CORRIDOR. ’ ALLIED MAIN FORCES NOT YET ENGAGED. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) .LONDON, February 15. It must be pointed out that the- Americans in central Tunisia are merely a containing force, which is trying to keep the Germans pinned on the coast till the Eighth Army can hit, says the British United Press correspondent in Algiers. Only light British forces are .involved there. While the ground which the Axis forces have gained represents a considerable loss for the Americans, it has cost Rommel a considerable number of men and also much equipment. The Associated Press correspondent with the American forces says that the tank battle at Sbeitla, on the Fair Pass plateau, brought American armoured vehicles —some of which were in their first major tank action —against an elite German panzer division which had been re-outfitted in Tunisia with the newest tanks and guns. The Germans threw in at least 100 tanks, which fought all day under frequent divebombing. The “New York Times” says that the object of the enemy attack is to gain further elbow-room down Tunisia and prevent their forces from being split and dealt with separately. “They have driven us back 20 miles, and they may force us to leave the Gafsa Oasis farther to the south for the time being, but there is no indication that the main Allied line will be turned,” the newspaper adds. “We must expect such setbacks in Tunisia. The Germans are veteran troops and have been greatly strengthened, and the Allies are fighting with extremely long lines of communication. The Germans are playing for high stakes—nothing less than the safety of southern Europe. It is certain that they will throw everything they have into this last defence in North Africa.”