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Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 March 1943, Page 3

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IN ALLIED QUARTERS OF ATTACK ON MARETH LINE. FIGHTING IN THE NORTH. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 9.20 a.m.; LONDON, March 18. Although the Axis radios continue to claim that the Eighth Army has launched an attack against the Mareth Line, the Algiers radio this morning, in a review of the operations, did not refer to this area, merely stating that rain generally was hindering fighting in Tunisia. Reuter’s correspondent with the First Army reports that Von Arnim made some headway in a dawn attack in the Temara region yesterday. A force estimated at two companies, launched an attack, which, after brisk divebombing preparation, made a “hole” in a position held by British infantry. Some sharp fighting occurred. A German fighting patrol, attempting another Axis probe, approached British positions near Sisinir, but was driven off. A North African communique states: “Yesterday morning enemy troop concentrations in the Gafsa area were bombed. Our bombers throughout the day made. low-level attacks on enemy vehicles retreating from Gafsa. A number of trucks were destroyed and gun positions silenced. During the day one enemy fighter was destroyed. Fighters of the Western Desert Air Force destroyed one enemy fighter, but the weather restricted operations in this area. From all these operations two of our planes are missing, but both the pilots are safe.” JUNKERS 88 DESTROYED BY ALLIED NIGHT FIGHTERS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.30 a.m.) RUGBY, March 18. A Middle East air communique states: “During an enemy attack on Tripoli on Tuesday night at least one Junkers 88 was destroyed by our night fighters.”