BEATEN TO KNEES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 May 1943, Page 3

BEATEN TO KNEES

AXIS ARMIES IN AFRICA MR, STIMSON'S SURVEY. VICTORY EQUAL TO THAT OF STALINGRAD. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON, May 13. “The Tunisian victory will have infinitely more effect on the ultimate outcome of the war than if we had won the race for Tunis in November,” declared the Secretary for War, Mr Stimson, addressing a Press conference. He explained that if we had won the race, the Axis would have attributed the victory to the element of surprise. However, as the campaign had turned out, we beat the Axis African armies to their knees, in spite of serious initial disadvantages. The result of this victory was now spreading far and wide in the Reich and in occupied countries. Attributing the Tunisian victory to General Eisenhower’s brilliant planning and the superb execution of the plans in porfect co-ordination of land, sea and air forces, Mr Stimson predicted that similar results could be secured elsewhere. He declared: “The Tunisian debacle is equal to Stalingrad. The Germans seemed overwhelmed by the speed and power of the Allied advance. They fought bravely, but certainly were not supermen in defeat.” Mr Stimson said that the Allied casuatlies were heavy in the final phase of the campaign. NEWS IN MOSCOW MAIN TOPIC IN HOMES & STREETS. ' “SECOND FRONT WILL COME SOON.” LONDON, May 13. The Russian Press and radio give to the news of the complete Axis capitulation in North Africa. “Red Star” gives almost an entire page to the Allies’ triumphs, which is the biggest spread for the British and Americans since the outbreak of war. The victory is the main topic in homes and street in Moscow, with the general reaction that a second front will soon come. WORK OF DESTRUCTION ITALIAN PORTS BLASTED RELENTLESSLY. CAGLIARI SUFFERS HEAVILY. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, 9.25 a.m.) RUGBY, May 14. Allied air forces continued the destroying of Italian ports with heavy raids. Fortresses, Mitchells and Marauders unloaded high explosives and incendiaries on shipping, industrial buildings arid harbour works at Cagliari and when they left a huge pall of smoke overhung the city. Oil tanks were hit and gasworks are believed to have exploded; also a large chemical plant. A huge fire started at the cast end docks, whilst other fire's blazed in the industrial part. The fires could be seen hundreds of miles away.