ENEMY LOSSES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 April 1943, Page 3

ENEMY LOSSES

AXIS AIR FORCES BADLY OUTCLASSED GLOOMY ANTICIPATIONS IN GERMANY. TALK OF AN AFRICAN STALINGRAD. (British Official Wireless:) RUGBY, April 11. R'euter’s correspondent at Allied Headquarters says that the Axis air forces are showing no eagerness to fight, probably because of destruction of their planes in the past three days, which is estimated to exceed 250 machines in air combat and on the ground. Commentators in London believe that Sfax will be most useful to General Montgomery, not only because it has robbed Rommel of a supply port, but because it will assist his own supplies, though the docks accommodate ships of only 1000 tons. Sfax possesses two moderately sized aerodromes which will be quickly available. The Allies have now taken Lasauconniere, which was Rommel’s most important air base in southern Tunisia. The Algiers radio reports that the Axis in the first nine days of April lost 62 supply ships in the Mediterranean. In the last six days 79 enemy transport planes have been shot down. The ominous word “Stalingrad” has now appeared in a German description of the position in Tunisia, another message states. Indicating the manner in which the Axis is facing the crisis, publication of the word was accompanied by assertions that the Allies have enormously superior forces and unlimited manpower, enabling them to throw in fresh troops on all battlefronts. The general tone of German military comment, according to Stockholm correspondents, is apprehensive and aimed at preparing the public for bad news. EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES GENERALS BLAMEY & FREYBERG. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 11. General Blarney, the commander of the Allied land forces in the SouthWest Pacific area, has sent the following message to Lieutenant-General Freyberg:—“Congratulations to yourself and the officers and men of your magnificent division on the further recent successes, from all ranks of the Australian Army and myself.” General Freyberg.replied: “No message could give greater pleasure to the New Zealand Division than yours. On behalf of all ranks I send our warmest thanks and best wishes to the Australian Army for continued success in their grim campaign in New Guinea.”