STRONG ALLIED ATTACKS IN CENTRAL TUNISIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 February 1943, Page 3

STRONG ALLIED ATTACKS IN CENTRAL TUNISIA

Axis Lose Heavily in Men and Equipment ARTILLERY EXCHANGES NEAR MARETH LINE HEAVY AIR ATTACKS ON ITALIAN BASES LONDON, February 24. Strong Allied land and air attacks in Central Tunisia have pushed the Germans and Italians back to within two to three miles of the Kasserine Gap, through which they advanced a few days ago. The enemy has lost heavily in men and equipment. It was early yesterday morning that the main Axis spearhead, which had pushed to within four miles of Thala, began to withdraw in the face of a terrific Allied air blitz. Splinter barrage and high explosive bombs were dropped and Spitfires swooped low to send bullets into the ditches! where enemy troops were sheltering. . The other Axis thrust north-west of Kasserine in. the direction of Tebessa was also pushed back. Most of the enemy units here appeared to be Italians and most of them fled, leaving behind 300 prisoners, along with enough equipment to fit out a battalion. wer .. ~ Q « The German attacks in the area 75 miles north-east ot Kasserine have all been repulsed by French and Scottish troops. Reports tonight indicate that 1000 enemy troops have been encircled there. a „ The latest news of the British Eighth Army comes from a Cairo correspondent, who says there have been considerab e artillery exchanges between the British armoured spearhead, which is now only a few miles from the Mareth Line and Axis guns firing probably from the main fortifications. Allied heavy bombers are keeping up their attacks on Axis supply lines. The ports of Messina and Palermo m Sicily and Bizerta in Tunisia were all attacked and an enemy Kairouan, in Tunisia, was also bombed yesterday. _ At Messina the raid was made in clear daylight by Liberator bombers. It was one of the most successful raids yet made A whole network of railway lines converges on Messina, including’ all those from the ferry services to the Italian mainland. This! spide web was well and truly plastered. Direct hits were made again and again right in the centre, where the bombs would do the utmost damage. The Italians today admit that the damage was considerable. The enemy sent up fighters over Messina, but all the Liberators got back to their base.