OUTPOST TAKEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 February 1943, Page 3

OUTPOST TAKEN

ADVANCE TOWARDS MARETH LINE BRITISH EIGHTH ARMY STILL MAKING PROGRESS. LULL IN CENTRAL TUNISIA. LONDON, February 19. The British Eighth Army yesterday took Foum.Tatahouin, an important inland, outpost of the Mareth Line, and has since then pushed some miles further on. A Cairo correspondent says the occupation of this place is a great strategic gain, as it covers the eastern and south-eastern approaches to the Mareth Line. When the French built their defence system they had hopes of using this outpost to check any outflanking movement against the Mareth Line. The enemy last night was still hanging on to at least half of Medenin, another important outpost. It is clear that the Axis rearguard is trying to hold up the British forces here as long as possible, the reason being that just behind Medenin there is a very important airfield. The enemy wants as much time as he can get to put it out of action. General Eisenhower reports that theer was only slight land activity in Central Tunisia yesterday. Nine Allied air attacks have been made on Axis troops and supplies. It looks as if Rommel has reached as far as he intended to go, and he is now consolidating his position. It is possible that the Allies will have to strengthen their line by a withdrawal at one point. Along the coast road between Sousse and Sfax intruder aircraft from Malta went for enemy transport on Wednesday night. Malta-based torpedo-carry-ing planes sank a medium-sized supply ship’ off Sicily. Train-busting aircraft had- a good haul over Taranto, in southern Italy. ROAD TRANSPORT BOMBED BY ALLIED AIRCRAFT. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.)' RUGBY, February 19. The North African Allied Command reports: “There is little activity on the Southern Tunisian front. “Our. fighters attacked enemy targets in the Ferina area, also in the northern sector and on Wednesday night our bombers attacked enemy road transport. One of our planes is missing.” ARTILLERY EXCHANGES WEATHER HINDERS OPERATIONS IN AIR. DAMAGE TO ENEMY ROLLING STOCK. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.30 a.m.) RUGBY, February 19. A Middle East joint communique states that in the northern sector yesterday there were artillery exchanges in the Medenin area. The weather again hindered offensive air operations over the battle area.. On Wed-1 nesday night an enemy aircraft was shot down by anti-aircraft gun fire over Benghazi. Intruder aircraft on th same night were also active, attacking and damaging four locomotives west of Taranto. Fires were started among a long line of goods trucks. All the planes returned. ENEMY REPORT BRITISH ATTACK LAUNCHHED. REASONS FOR DISCOUNTING STATEMENT. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.30 a.m.) RUGBY, February 19. The Eighth Army is in process of approaching the Mareth defences, it is stated in London today. An enemy report that an attack in force already has been opened is discounted as customary propaganda, which seeks to create the impression that when the time comes for a retreat it only occurred after prolonged resistance against superior forces, which must have suffered heavily. It is, also pointed out that, whatever the present strength or weakness of the Mareth defences, the mounting of a large-scale attack upon them would inevitably require a fair amount of preparation. A Cairo message says British guns are shelling that part of Medenin held by the enemy. There were artillery duels throughout yesterday, following upon an entry into part of the town on the previous day by British patrols. In the southern sector, British troops, who occupied Foum Tatahouine, have pushed on ten miles past the town. As a result of the American raid on Naples this week it has been found that one vessel is lying under water, and a warehouse is completely demolished. Hits were scored on a barracks and shipyards.