FIERCE FIGHTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 March 1943, Page 3

FIERCE FIGHTING

FOLLOWING ON ALLIED ASSAULT OPERATIONS CONTINUING SATISFACTORILY. LITTLE ENEMY AIR OPPOSITION. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9,30 a.m.) RUGBY, March 22. “On Saturday night troops of the Eighth Army attacked Mareth positions,” says an Allied North African communique. “Fierce fighting ensued and the operations are still continuing satisfactorily. “Yesterday Americans in the Gafsa sector continued to press towards Maknassi and south-east of Gafsa, taking over 1,000 prisoners in several successful actions. “To the north, in the Sed Jenane -.rea, there was slight enemy activity and our troops are again in contact. Fighting continues. “Our air forces in Tunisia, carried out extensive operations on Saturday night and yesterday. Bombers attacked docks at Ferryville, while a considerable force of heavy and medium bombers of the Western Desert Air Force attacked objectives in th 6 Mareth and Kettana areas. Bombers of the Tunisian Air Force attacked enemy airfields. Yesterday continuous bombing attacks were maintained, Throughout daylight bombing attacks on the Mareth positions were continued. Escorting fighters destroyed ■ one enemy fighter, but there was little enemy opposition. Enemy airfields were also heavily bombed and large fires were started. A number of enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground and at least four others were destroyed in the air. From all operations four of . our planes are missing.” AXIS FEARS OF ACTION IN EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN. (Received This Day. 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, March 22. The Berlin radio declared that Turkish observers see in the transfer of the Greek emigrant Government from London to Cairo fresh signs of impending Allidcl military action in the Eastern Mediterranean. - —— J PUNISHING RAID MADE BY HEAVY BOMBERS ON NAPLES. ' TARGETS HIT IN HARBOUR & CITY AREAS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.30 a.m.) RUGBY, March' 22. A Middle East air communique states: “Bombs burst near railway goods yards, on one of the harbour moles, on a ship in the harbour and in the s city area when our heavy bombers raided Naples on Saturday night. All our planes returned.”