ADVANCE CONTINUES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 March 1943, Page 3

ADVANCE CONTINUES

FOLLOWING OCCUPATION OF KASSERINE TOMMIES AND DOUGHBOYS. FIGHTING IN CLOSE CO-OPERATION. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, February 27. The correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says that after the occupation of Kasserine the Allies advanced in the direction of the Thelpte airfield (north of Feriana), where the Germans are carrying out demolitions. Reviewing Rommel’s defeat at the Kasserine gap, the “New York Times” correspondent in North Africa says: “British Tommies and American doughboys, fighting in close co-opera-tion, which has been the happiest and most significant feature of the battle, scrambled up the mountains of Kasserine Pass, chucking out the enemy at the point of the bayonet, while farther north British forces held off three German attacks round Sbeiba, after which the British pursued the foe 10 to 15 miles. “Alarmed by General Montgomery’s approach and by the heavy losses in men and material, Rommel is now desperately attempting to save the bulk of his men for battles in which he will face not only the Eighth Army, but also the American army, which is now blooded in battle and eager for revenge.” The terrain over which the Allies have advanced is littered with damaged vehicles and wrecked tanks and dotted with German and Italian bodies, the correspondent says. He expressed the opinion that Rommel will continue to retreat till he has reached a position west of Faid.