ATTACK ON AKARIT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 June 1943, Page 3

ATTACK ON AKARIT

“On April 6 the attack was launched. After heavy infantry fighting, a bridgehead across the wadi was won, and the New Zealand Division, led by armoured cars of the King’s Dragoon Guards, light tanks of the New Zealand divisional cavalry and heavy tanks of the British Eighth Armoured Brigade followed through. As soon as there was room to manoeuvre, we opened out into desert formation and advanced north, harassing the retreating enemy and cutting off considerable numbers. What remained of the Italian Saharan Corps, with General Mannerini and his complete staff, were among the prisoners. “On April 7 British armoured cars on our left met American troops advancing on Macknassy, and the junction of Allied forces from the east and west which the enemy had fought so long to prevent was effected. With every hour our grip on the Tunis bridgehead was tightening. “Near Sfax, with more room to manoeuvre, we planned another left hook. The enemy, however, anticipated this danger and retreated fast, leaving valuable installations and stores in the Sfax area intact. Sfax was occupied on April 9, and Sousse on the 12th. Our advancing forces met with little opposition, apart from the usual enemy rearguard artillery and sporadic attacks from the Luftwaffe, which was temporarily able to operate more freely because we had advanced beyond -the range of our own fighter cover. The advance continued as fast as ways cculd be found through very different countryi from the desert to which we were accustomed. “We drove through beautiful olive groves and fields bright with scarlet poppies, yellow chrysanthemums and marguerite daisies, mid made fragrant by purple, sweet-scented stocks. This part of our move was memorable. The Wench people greeted our troops with gfeat enthusiasm, throwing flowers to our men as they passed through towns decked with flags of the Allies.