BARRIER DRAWN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 May 1943, Page 3

BARRIER DRAWN

ACROSS NECK OF CAPE BON PENINSULA

Other Axis Forces in Tunisia Also Encircled 100,000 PRISONERS OR MORE ALREADY IN HAND TREMENDOUS AIR ONSLAUGHTS ON SICILIAN AND OTHER TARGETS *' ** ■ LONDON. May 31. British First Army tanks, guns and infantry have smashed their way right across the neck of the Cape Bon Peninsula, cutting off the enemy troops in the peninsula from the mam Axis fighting forces still resisting in the south. Allied Headquarters stated that since the new drive across the base of the peninsula, Allied troops had taken about 20,000 prisoners in that area. The total number of prisoners taken since the opening of the great twin drive on Tunis and Bizerta is very near to the 100,000 mark, if not already above it. Enemy troops cut off outside the peninsula are still putting up very stiff resistance, but they are in a hopeless position, trapped between the First and Eighth armies, with the French pushing on from the west and naval forces blocking the coast--111 The French report that the German forces in the Zaghouan mountains have already asked for an armistice, but it is not yet known whether they have accepted the French terms of unconditional surrender. Several hundred prisoners were taken m this sector yesterday. North of Zaghouan, French troops have penetrated the enemy defence lines and armoured forces and motorised infantry are now pouring through the breach m the direction of Bou Ficha, on the coast south of Hammamet. The Algiers radio said tonight that British troops are advancing into the Cape Bon Peninsula by two roads. One force, driving up the east side, has already advanced 18 miles. The Navy is keeping a close watch on any enemy attempts to escape by sea. Allied aircraft are making- a tremendous onslaught on Axis communications in Sicily and elsewhere.