EARLIER NEWS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 May 1943, Page 3

EARLIER NEWS

FIGHTING IN THE SUBURBS OF TUNIS American Troops Directly Attacking Bizerta FRENCH PENETRATION OF INNER DEFENCES REPORTED BY BERLIN SPOKESMAN CONTINUOUS AND CONCENTRATED ALLIED AIR ATTACKS LONDON, May 7. British and American troops today smashed their way into the suburbs of Tunis and Bizerta. This great news came tonight in a special communique from Allied headquarters. . The communique stated that Allied troops continued their successful advance throughout the day. Troops' of the British First Army are now in the outskirts of Tunis, where heavy fighting is in progress. Many prisoners have been captured. Advance elements of the First Army are in possession of a town two or three miles west of Tunis, where many prisoners have been taken. Reconnaissance units of the United States Second Corps are in the outskirts of Bizerta. The North African air force is maintaining continuous concentrated and intensive air attacks on the enemy, especally on roads, which were congested with troops. American correspondents report tonight that United States troops have taken Ferryville, the great naval arsenal ten miles from Bizerta, at the south-western extremity of Bizerta Lake. These forces have pushed on and are now in the outskirts of itself According to the German radio’s military commentator (Captain Sertorious), French Moroccan troops have broken into Bizerta’s inner fortifications. A correspondent states that the enemy is still resisting, but • that the results of this great advance are unquestioned. The Allies have struck speedily, with a tremendous blow, across the northern tip of Tunisia. Tunis and Bizerta are literally within the Allies’ grasp. The enemy may go on fighting or he may fall hack to Cape Bon Peninsula and hold out in the mountains there* Since last night ’British troops have advanced 12 miles across the Tunisian Plain and the Americans have covered the last nine miles to Bizerta. In yesterday’s big push towards Tunis, the Allied air 4 force made the greatest air assault any army has ever had k. to withstand. Further afield, over the sea and in Sicily, aircraft have sunk eleven enemy ships and damaged many more and bombers have attacked dock installations in Sicily. Fifty United States Liberators from the Middle East raided Reggio, in the toe of Italy, dropping a great weight of high explosives.

INVASION OF EUROPE LIKELY AT ANY TIME. ACCORDING TO MR. ELMER. DAVIS. WASHINGTON. May 6. The Director of the Office of War Information, Mr Elmer Davis, told a Press conference that it was entirely possible that the Allies would invade Europe before the completion of the Tunisian campaign, probably when the enemy was pocketed at Bizerta, “which should be accomplished pretty soon.” There was no question but that there would be Allied operations in continental Europe this summer. He thought it possible to go ahead with invasion plans even though Bizerta remained for a time in Axis hands.

TEN VESSELS SUNK JAMMED WITH ENEMY TROOPS. ATTEMPTING TO ESCAPE FROM TUNISIA. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 2. .10 p.m.) LONDON May 7. The British United Press Algiers correspondent says Allied planes tore into a convoy of motor-barges and small craft making a “Dunkirk” bid from Tunisia. Ten of the craft, jammed with troops, were sunk. ■ It was the first big Axis attempt to stage a “Dunkirk.” The convoy was spotted about 30 miles west of the Maritime Islands, off the Tunisian coast, heading for Sicily. Every boat was packed with troops. Lightnings sank three motor-barges and four small craft. Marauders sank three motor-barges.