MADE BY EIGHTH ARMY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 April 1943, Page 3

MADE BY EIGHTH ARMY

In Smashing Enemy Defences in Tunisia PRIMARY OBJECTIVES TAKEN IN BITTER AND COSTLY BATTLE ALLIED AIR SUPPORT ON TERRIFIC SCALE LONDON, April 21. The British Eighth Army in Tunisia is battling forward against the strongest resistance met so far in Africa and over some of the most difficult country. A radio despatch from a front line reporter states that the British troops have advanced on the average to a depth of two or three miles and have captured most of their primary objectives including the town of Enfiadaville. The battle is a very bitter one and a costly one for both sides. The Eighth Army has made a magnificent start on the difficult job which lies -ahead of it. » The enemy is holding a chain of fortified hills, probably stronger than any barrier yet held by the enemy in Africa. The defenders are fighting with grim determination and know that this time they have no long line of possible retreat behind them. The most that can be hoped for is slow, steardy progress through this formidable mountain barrier. So far the Eighth Army has certainly achieved this. > i Air support is on a terrific scale, not only over the battle area, but also in heavy and continuous attacks on airfields behind the enemy’s lines. The Luftwaffe is fighting back harder and with more machines than it has hitherto had in Tunisia. One big air combat yesterday cost the Germans 19 fighters without a single Allied plane being lost. Altogether, 27 enemy aircraft were destroyed during the day. The Allies lost eight.