WESTWARD ADVANCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 February 1943, Page 3

WESTWARD ADVANCE

GOOD PROGRESS BY BRITIISH FORCES f ONLY INTERMITTENT OPPOSITION AMERICAN FORCES ISOLATED IN CENTRAL TUNISIA. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, February 18. A communique from the Cairo headquarters states: “Our troops continued to advance westward yesterday, and our forward elements reached Medenine in the northern sector. In the southern sector our patrols were active in the Foum Tatahouine area. Bad weather again restricted air activity over the battle area.” The arrival of forces at Medenine means an advance of 50 miles' in the two days since the capture of Ben Gardane. Medenine is an outpost fort 25 miles in front of the actual Mareth Line. The Cairo correspondent of the British United Press says that the Axis is only intermittently opposing General Montgomery’s advance into the outer defences of the Mareth Line. The rain has ceased, making the advance easier. In central Tunisia panzer units of the Afrika Korps, in a further advance, have forced the Americans to abandon the airfield at Sbeitla and two other airfields some 35 miles to the southwest. The Germans have advanced over 30 miles since they began the attack from Faid Pass. A correspondent says there is a danger that the northern half of the line, held by the British army, may be outflanked. In spite of the threat to their positions through the German push toward Feriana, Americans are still on the northern edge of the Shott el Jerid. The Axis advances have isolated a number of American contingents in the Sidi Bousaid area. No reports have been received from these isolated forces, but strong hopes are held that they will be able to rejoin the main forces. Reuter’s correspondent in Tunisia says it is now known that the American counter-attack yesterday in the Sidi Bousaid area lasted for several hours, with the battle swaying uncertainly. The German occupation of Gafsa was the direct result of the reverse which was inflicted on the Americans on Monday, when the combat command from Sbeitla was compelled to withdraw. The Twelfth United States Air Force replied to the German dive-bombing by putting 11 tanks out of action. A French North Africa communique says: “Our troops in southern Tunisia, following upon the situation at Gafsa, have taken up new positions at Feriana without interference. There is nothing to report from the central front.”