MANY SUCCESSES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 March 1943, Page 4

MANY SUCCESSES

AIR & LAND OPERATIONS IN AFRICA ENEMY SUFFERS HEAVY CASUALTIES. - EIGHT AXIS FIGHTERS SHOT DOWN. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.10 a.m.) RUGBY, March 11. A North Africa communique states: “In Southern Tunisia, Metlaoui has been occupied by our troops. In Central Tunisia patrolling has continued with some activity. In the north, in the area west of Sed Jenane, an enemy attack this afternoon was successfully repulsed. “Air formations of heavy bombers attacked enemy airfields. Aircraft on the ground were hit and fires left burning. Eight enemy fighters were shot down during these attacks. Medium bombers attacked Gafsa, where many hits were seen on the target. “Our fighters carried out offensive sweeps in the northern sector during the day, in the course ( of which enemy vehicles, troops and gun positions were attacked. Sweeps were also flown over the central sector. “One of our aircraft is missing from all these operations. “In attacks on pur forces near Ksarrhilane, heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy and many vehicles were left burning. The R.A.F. gave very effective support during the day. Fighting continues.” A British United Press correspondent says Rommel again attacked Ksarrhilane. He is apparently trying to protect his right wing, which extends right into the hills. Ksarrhilane is a road junction at the extreme southwest of the Mareth Line positions, beyond the Mareth Line proper. NET RESULT OF PAST WEEK’S FIGHTING. DECIDEDLY UNFAVOURABLE TO AXIS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.20 a.m.) RUGBY, March 11. In Washington, the American Secretary for War (Mr Stimson) said the Allied forces in Tunisia had had much the better of the fight during the past week. Highly mobile Axis forces had been extremely active, but the net result had been decidedly unfavourable to the Axis. During ten days of sharp fighting, the Allied forces had backed towards the Algerian border, but subsequently they had regained most of the lost ground.