ALLIED ACTION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 March 1943, Page 3

ALLIED ACTION

IN THE AIR & ON LAND FACILITATED BY GOOD „ WEATHER. RANGE OF HILLS SEIZED BY AMERICANS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.0 a.m.) RUGBY, March 22. A correspondent at Allied headquaters in North Africa states that the forward battle area has been receiving a severe pounding from the Allied air forces, which have benefited by clear and exceedingly good weather. Bisleys and Fortresses made several attacks on Tebega, 15 miles from Gabes, on the Sfax Road. Strong fighter escorts were provided for all the bomber sorties and results included many hits on transport vehicles and on enemy positions. There was no determined attempt at interference with our aircraft. American troops yesterday further improved their positions in the Gafsa area, when they advanced some miles eastward, says a correspondent in North Africa. When brilliant sunshine succeeded the heavy rains of the previous two days, the Americans seized the opportunity offered to their armour and captured a range of hills overlooking Sened Station on the GafsaMaknassi Road. Italians had taken up positions here, after fleeing from Gafsa on Wednesday. Several units of Americans opened an attack and soon after daybreak obtained a footing in the hills, before the Italians had discovered their presence. The Italians, with machine-guns cleverly hidden, opened fire, but when they saw that the Americans were coming on they fled. There were a few more minor clashes, but by nightfall the Americans had completely cleared the hills. LUFTWAFFE PARALYSED. The smashing nature of the Allied air blitz in Tunisia is stressed by all correspondents. The Associated Press correspondent says the Allied aerial onslaught in Southern Tunisia is so savage and sustained that the Luftwaffe at present is literally paralysed. Reuter’s correspondent says the story begins on Saturday night, when heavy and medium bombers dropped hundreds of bombs on Rommel’s concentrations along the main road between Mareth and Katina. Pilots counted fourteen fires among dispersed lorries and tents. After violent explosions, three huge conflagrations broke out. The Axis forces have been given a pummelling during the past two days almost up to El Alamein standard. They have been given no relief. Light and medium bombers on Sunday, strongly escorted by fighters, started an all-day hammering of the enemy positions with excellent results. Constant machinegun and bombing sorties were maintained against enemy positions and transport south-west of Gabes. Pilots reported eleven fires. The Associated Press correspondent reports that every Allied air arm in North Africa is striking against the Mareth region in a mounting offensive, using scores of heavy, medium and light bombers and fighter-bombers. The British United correspondent says even giant Halifaxes and Liberators joined in the shuttlebombing service over Rommel’s positions. As one wave returned to its base another set out. Other Allied bombers came from the western side, in accordance with a joint plan of attack.