EIGHTH ARMY HARD ON HIS HEELS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 April 1943, Page 3

EIGHTH ARMY HARD ON HIS HEELS

Increasing Haul of Prisoners ALLIED SUCCESSES IN WEST & NORTH DESTRUCTIVE AIR ATTACKS ON AXIS TRANSPORT LONDON, April 9. In Tunisia, Rommel’s retreat continues, with the British Eighth Army hard on his heels. Since the battle for the Wadi Akarit began, close on 10,000 prisoners have been captured on the Eighth Army’s front alone. The American Second Corps has also rounded up many of the enemy east of El Guetar. A correspondent states that the Eighth Army’s main spearhead on the coastal road was last reported within 45 miles of Sfax. West of this spearhead, American forces in the Maknassi area have pushed forward along the road leading to the coast and are reported to have reached a place called Mezzouna, 22 miles east of Maknassi. In Northern Tunisia, the British First Army continues to attack over very difficult country and has occupied important tactical heights. A correspondent says tanks swept up one hill after another, shot the enemy out of the hill tops and drove him down to the valley towards our troops. Over 400 prisoners have been taken on this front since Wednesday, mainly Austrian ■ mountain troops. Between the main northern and southern sectors, the Axis has evacuated Pichon, 25 miles west of the enemy base of Kairouan. The German news agency admits that in the face of British and French attacks, the Axis has left Pichon in front of its line. Allied aircraft are still striking massive blows at the enemy. A correspondent says that in the last two days alone, aircraft backing up the Eighth Army had wrecked at least 130 enemy vehicles and damaged something like 200.