ALLIED VICTORY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 February 1943, Page 4

ALLIED VICTORY

BATTLE OF KASSERINE LARGE AREA CLEARED OF ENEMY. GERMAN LOSSES POSSIBLY IRREPARABLE. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.35 p.m.) LONDON, February 25. “The Battle of Kasserine is ours. It has developed into a complete victory for us,” says the Algiers correspondent of the National Broadcasting Company. Reuter reports that the Axis forces have been cleared from the entire region north-west and west of the Kasserine Pass. They are hastily retreating through the pass, with British and American troops hot on their heels. Advanced Allied troops are contacting Axis rearguards just inside the western mouth of the pass. The situation has been restored to last week’s alignment, except that the Germans have suffered heavy, possiblj' irreparable losses, in tanks and equipment. French troops, sallying out of the mountains west of the Ouseltia Valley, crushed enemy positions one after another in what may be another determined Allied drive in that sector. Although the communique only refers to the Eighth Army patrolling east of the Mareth Line it is significant that much German strength from Kasserine is moving southwards towards Gafsa, in order to reinforcq the German garrison there against an attack from the south. Strong French forces are reported to be deploying below Shottel Jerid."