ENEMY ATTACK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 March 1943, Page 4

ENEMY ATTACK

BEATEN BACK IN NORTH TUNISIA AXIS LOSS OF TANKS. COMMUNIQUE GIVES DETAILS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.20 a.m. RUGBY, March 9. An Allied North African communique states: “In Northern Tunisia yesterday the enemy made an attack near Tamera, seven miles west of Sedjenane. The attack was successfully held by the Allied forces, and, after heavy fighting, the enemy withdrew. Over 200 enemy prisoners were taken. On other sectors of the First Army front there was little enemy activity, while our patrols are still active. French forces have occupied Tozeur, on the north-western shore of the Jerid salt lake. In South Tunisia the enemy’s withdrawal to high ground hear Halluf continues. Apart from our offensive patrol activity, there is little to report from the Eighth Army. The total of enemy tanks definitely in our hands following the battle of March 6 is now 50. This number is made up of three Mark 2s, two Mark 3s, -eight new type Mark 3s, with 75 millimetre guns, 19 Mark 3 specials, and 18 Mark 4 specials. ■■ “Fighter-bombers attacked buildings occupied by the enemy in the Sedjenane area. Fighters, on offensive sweeps, destroyed a number of enemy vehicles, and one enemy fighter was destroyed. On the Eighth Army front, ■ fighterbombers and fighters continued their attacks on retreating enemy tanks and motor transport, inflicting considerable damage. Eighteen enemy aircraft were destroyed for the loss of two of ours, seventeen of them in a sea sweep by our bombers and fighters.”

EARLY OFFENSIVE

BY THE EIGHTH ARMY. ANTICIPATED BY PARIS RADIO (Received This Day, 10 a.m.) LONDON, March 9. The Axis forces at the Mareth Line are reported to be regrouping after the failure of their attack against the Eighth Army. The Paris radio says an Axis reconnaissance plane noted largescale troop movements behind General Montgomery’s lines, presumably in preparation for a coming offensive. The weather in the Mareth area has become worse and sandstorms are reported. Axis formations in the northern sector, the Paris radio states, continue to advance west of Cap Serrat. VIOLENT FIGHTING REPORTED WEST OF GAFSA. FRENCH TROOPS ADVANCING. (Received This Day, 10.5 a.m.) LONDON, March 9. The Algiers radio reports that, advanced French elements are within two miles of Gafsa. Violent engagements are reported west of Gafsa.