IN POSITION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 April 1943, Page 4

IN POSITION

EIGHTH ARMY NORTH OF OUDREF FACING ROMMEL’S LATEST DEFENCES. SUSTAINED ALLIED AIR ASSAULTS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.20 p.m.) LONDON, April 1. The Eighth Army is drawn up six miles north of Oudref, before Rommei's latest defences in the Gabes Gap, where it is believed they confront the bulk of the force which originally garrisoned the Mareth Line. The British are preparing for what may prove to be the final battle of the gap. They are prodding German defences which have been hurriedly constructed. The Algiers radio said the retreat of the Afrika Korps between Gabes and Sfax is being carried out under murderous conditions. Allied air units are most powerfully supporting the ground troops. Dispatches from many correspondents emphasise the terrific, sustained aerial assault which is causing havoc among Rommel’s tanks and transport. The wedge separating the American Fifth Army, advancing along the El Guetar Road, from the Eighth Army, is narrowing, although the American armoured advance is being delayed by mines, behind which the Axis rearguards are withdrawing. The Morocco radio reported that Axis units north of the Shot el Jerid, in the Djebel Asker area, have been cut off. The British First Army is exploiting its success in the northern coastal belt and is now seven miles eastward of Sed Jenane, striking via the main road towards Mateur, after capturing 800 prisoners. Reuter’s correspondent with the First Army says the withdrawal of the Germans was so hasty that they abandonquantities of equipment and am"munition., The. British found telephone lilies,“alive” at one battalion headquarters. and. also many undestroyed documents. Other First Army troops "fire advancing more slowly, via scrubby hills north-east of Sed Jenane, but the German resistance is slight. A French communique announces various advances,, including the occupation of Kebili, while vanguards are .within, some miles of Pichon. troops, co-operating with the British, further advanced north of Sed Jenane. The Berlin radio mentions the appearance of Canadians in North -African fighting, declaring that a fresh Canadian mountain battalion was unfable to improve the situation. - Wholesale captures of Italians are reported. Reuter’s correspondent with the First Army says so many shelldrunk Italians surrendered when the British artillery plastered Sed Jenane that the French sent an urgent message to the gunners to cease fire. The British fired over 8,00 shells in an hour against Sed Jenane,- which was an important factor in the fall of the position. The capture of Sed Jenane came as a climax to no fewer than eight bayonet charges by men of an English country regiment, whose commanding officer led the last charge. ■