FRENCH ATTACKS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 April 1943, Page 3

FRENCH ATTACKS

ON APPROACHES TO TUNIS ANOTHER HILL STORMED BY FIRST ARMY. LINE OF HEIGHTS FORTIFIED BY ENEMY. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, April 18. The Algiers radio reported that the French forces under General Koeltz yesterday launched an attack south of Pont du Fahs in an effort to force their way to the approaches of Tunis. A correspondent says that infantry of the First Army, supported by massed artillery, have stormed another steep hill. After a night and day of heavy fighting they established themselves on top, giving them command of a series of peaks in the range which runs parallel to the Mejez el Bab-Tebourba road. The Germans have' heavily fortified this line of hills, and each hill will have to be blasted by guns and bombers and then stormed by infantry. Behind each height there is another, and they will have to be taken before our tanks can operate through the valley. ALL SECTORS ACTIVE. Yesterday’s North African communique said that on Saturday vigorous local activity was reported from all sectors. The situation over the whole front remained generally unchanged. “Our air forces attacked enemy airfields, positions and transport with good results,” it added. “Direct hits were scored in an attack on two stranded merchantmen off the Tunisian coast. A large barge was also hit and blew up. Six enemy aircraft were destroyed during the day, and three of ours are missing.” A Malta message on Friday reported bombing by naval aircraft of enemy coastal installations in Tunisia. French bombers since the French entry into the campaign on February 24 have carried out 58 raids, dropping 128,0001 b, of bombs for the loss of one bomber, Algiers radio stated. SPLENDID RECORD FOURTH INDIAN DIVISION. MR CHURCHILL’S MESSAGE TO VICEROY. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 17. Mr Churchill, in a message to the Viceroy of India, stated: “We watched with admiration the splendid achievements of the Fourth Indian Division in the battle at Mareth, and the victory at Wadi el Akarit.” He added that the Indian Army had been outstanding in all campaigns in the Middle East.