SWAYING BATTLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 March 1943, Page 4

SWAYING BATTLE

ON MATEUR-BEJA ROAD OUTCOME UNCERTAIN. BUT ALLIED LEADERS CONFIDENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.45 p.m.) LONDON, March 1. The outcome of the swaying battle on the Mateur-Beja Road is still uncertain, after four days of bitter fighting. The Germans have thrown in fresh tanks and infantry but they are being pounded with bombs and shells. The British United Press Algiers correspondent says officially that Allied headquarters believe that the enemy will be unable to withstand this hammering much longer. Reuter’s correspondent earlier reported that' General von Arnim, despite great losses, had progressed four miles beyond Sidi Nsir, about midway between Beja and Mateur, putting the Germans about fifteen miles from Beja. The correspondent added that the situation is causing the Allied leaders little or no worry. There is complete confidence that the situation is under control. The other five Axis thrusts have been entirely repulsed or have grown so feeble that they no longer seriously threaten the Allied positions. The northern attacks have cost Rommel many tanks and a large number of men, reported to be mostly Italians. The Allied losses are comparatively light. FRENCH POSITIONS MAINTAINED AGAINST NEW ENEMY ATTACKS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day. 1.30 p.m.) RUGBY, March 1. A French North Africa communique, quoted by the Morocco radio, states: “In the northern sector of our front, in the region of Medjez El Bab, French troops maintained their positions despite new enemy attacks. In the region of Pont du Fahs successful patrols are reported. Nothing of importance has occurred on the southern sector of the front. On Sunday night our bombers, without loss, raided the locality of Nefta. FULL WEIGHT THROWN INTO BEJA ATTACK. ENEMY IN DANGER OF BEING CUT OFF. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 1.5 p.m.) RUGBY, March 1. The American Associated Press says the Germans in Tunisia threw their full weight into the Beja attack. Allied troops fought valiantly before giving ground. They took a heavy toll of the attackers. The exact position of the Allied line in Tunisia remains in doubt but it is apparent that in four days’ steady attack the Germans were unable to make a definite break in the Allied positions. Even General von Armim’s troops in the Beja thrust are in danger of being cut off. The British United Press correspondent says: “Our ground forces in the Beja area have never had as much protection as they are getting now. The British troops are facing the German drive threw their hats in the air and cheered as our planes swooped over their heads. R.A.F. Spitfires and Hurricane-bombers throughout the day attacked the vehicle-crowded roads.