BEING FOUGHT ON MARETH LINE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 March 1943, Page 3

BEING FOUGHT ON MARETH LINE

Rommel Throwing in Waves of Men EIGHTH ARMY STILL HOLDING BRIDGEHEAD AMERICANS FIGHTING EASTWARD FROMGAFSA LONDON, March 25. There has been little news of the great battle in Southern Tunisia, but all messages suggest that Rommel is still going all out to try to stop the British Eighth Army from crossing the defences of the Mareth Line. The Algiers radio says fierce fighting continues, with Rom-, mel throwing waves of men into heavy fire from Allied tanks, artillery and aircraft. Despite the violence of the enemy’s attacks it is reported that General Montgomery’s, men are still holding the gains left to them after the first big German coun-ter-attack. \ , A tremendous duel is going on between Allied and Axis guns and Allied aircraft are keeping up their large-scale offensive against enemy troops and supply lines. In the Gafsa area American troops continue to fight eastwards in what are described as the biggest American military operations since the last war. The Germans made two air raids on Maknassi last night. In Northern Tunisia troops of the British First Army recaptured a small hill the Germans were using as an observation post. They fought their way to the top of the hill in brilliant moonlight and either killed or captured all the Germans manning the post. Another big day of Allied air blitz included a heavy raid on Ferryville, through which much of Rommel’s supplies must pass.