GAFSA TAKEN BY AMERICAN TROOPS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 March 1943, Page 3

GAFSA TAKEN BY AMERICAN TROOPS

Continued Thrust Towards Coast of Tunisia EIGHTH ARMY IMPROVES POSITION IN COASTAL AREA STRONG ENEMY ATTACK REPELLED IN NORTH LONDON, March 18. United States forces in Southern Tunisia have reoccupied Gafsa, without much enemy resistance, and are now pushing beyond the town along the road to Gabes. Only about 100 miles now separates these Allied forces from General Montgomery’s Eighth Army, facing the Mareth Line. Today’s news from the Mareth area is that the British troops have improved their positions in the coastal sector and have been out on patrol further inland. The enemy suffered casualties. Gafsa is a meeting place of important roads and railways in Southern Tunisia. It has been in German hands for a month. French patrols have been reported within a few miles of the town during the past week or sc. These mobile forces are now co-operating with the Allied advance, which is being carried out in some strength, with heavy support by aircraft. Mitchells and Spitfires constantly sweep ahead of the advancing troops and attack enemy troop concentrations, tanks, armoured cars and guns. In face of this, the enemy withdrew south-east in the general direction of the Mareth positions. As they went, they set many booby traps and mined the road. Otherwise, the Allied forces met little opposition from the enemy rearguard, and after a 30-mile push occupied Gafsa and the hills commanding the town, soon after midday yesterday. Patrols have pushed along the road 12 miles beyond Gafsa. It is thought the enemy may make a stand here, as he is believed to have some artillery well back in the rocky hills which overlook the road at this point. One correspondent says a second Allied force is advancing to the north of these positions, on a road which runs through the Gened Pass and reaches the coast at Sfax. In Northern Tunisia the Germans attacked the British positions west of Sed Jenane at dawn yesterday.. It was a strong i attack and the Germans gained some ground at first. The British troops counter-attacked heavily and by nightfall the Germans were back where they started from. Fighting is still going on there.