LIVELIER STIR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 March 1943, Page 3

LIVELIER STIR

ON EIGHTH ARMY FRONT IN TUNISIA Opening of Major British Attack Reported by Germans AMERICAN PATROLS IN TOUCH WITH AXIS TANKS NEAR GAFSA HUNDRED MILES BEHIND ROMMEL’S RIGHT FLANK LONDON, March 17. In Tunisia things have been livelier on the Eighth Army’s front. A correspondent says that yesterday Rommel’s forces showed a certain restlessness and shelled the British positions west of Medenine. The British struck back with far greater force. Soon afterwards a German news agency said that British artillery had yesterday evening started a relentless barrage, in preparation for an attack, which set in later. The scope of the fighting could not yet be surveyed. German military circles believe that this is a major attack and that heavy fighting must be expected. One hundred miles behind the Mareth Line, on Rommel’s right flank, American patrols made contact yesterday with enemy tanks three miles north of Gafsa. There is no news of any big clash, but the mere fact that Allied forces are in this area cannot make Rommel feel any easier. Gafsa is 70 miles inland and it is through this 70 mile corridor that supplies must reach the Mareth defences.

LOSS & GAIN

IN COURSE OF RECENT OPERATIONS IN CENTRAL TUNISIAN AREA. USEFUL LESSONS LEARNED. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) NEW YORK, March 16. The “New York Times” correspondent in Tunisia, Drew Middleton, says that five lessons are apparent from the official account of the battle of Faid Pass last month. “First, the Allied Intelligence erred twice —in locating the main German thrust at Pichon instead of Faid, and in under-estimat-ing the number and quality of the German tanks. “Secondly, dive-bombers, though they are uneconomic weapons, retain their power to deliver a stunning blow to inexperienced troops. “Thirdly, armoured divisions must be used as units, and not split up into comparatively small groups, to deal with an experienced foe. “Fourthly, the enemy mines and booby traps were lavishly spread, and they held up the Allied pursuit when a smashing counter-blow might have been struck, but there is no evidence that American mining operations delayed the Germans. “Fifthly, Allied co-operation flourished under the worst conditions, which was a large factor in turning Rommel back.”