Evening star., 1942-12-17
fleeing Romme| Army Cut in Two;
Darlan Says Fleet Units at Dakar
And Alexandra Will Join Allies
Casualties Heavy
In I raped Part
Of Axis Forces
By the Associated Press,


heelng columns in Libya have
neen cut in two and part of
them, trapped between British
forces, have suffered heavy cas-
ualtles in an effort to break out,
the British announced today.
British observers said "a good part
OF the Africa Corps-the cream of
RommePs Army"-was believed tn
have been cut off.
This stroke in the hot chase across
the desert was achieved yesterday
the Cairo communique disclosed
Wnen Britain's 9th Army reached
Wadi Matratin, about IS miles west
OF Ell Agheila, and cut inland to the
south across Nazi Field Marshal
Erwin Rommel's retreat line.
Some armored formations were
bottled up 'and continue to be Sc
Verely mauled" in an attempt to
break out which already has caused
them heavy losses, the communioue
added.
Severe Blow for RommeI.
Rommel. who backed out of his de-
1enslve line at Ell Agheila without
hight, apparently to preserve his
remnants as far as possible. thus
may nave been dealt a cripplinp
blow to any hopes of getting a strong
1orce safely into Tripoli for even
tual union with the Axis armies in
TuniSia.
There was no immediate estimate
OF the number of men and vehicles
at the 9th Army's mercy, but OBJ
servers said they formed a large
Nazi force, intended by Rommel for
rearguard fighting, and were being
methodically mopped up.
Before Rommel withdrew from Ell
Aghella, his strength was estimated
at $4,000 to $4,000 troops and an un-
known number of tanks. Most of
this army is believed to have re-
treated well west of the Wadi Ma
tratin. beyond the British wedge.
Besides bringing at least part of
the enemy to battle, military COM
mentators in London said, the Brit
1sh now have faced him with the
dilemma Of leaving his rear forces
uncovered or of pulling back more
tanks from the line of retreat.
Nazi Propaganda Upset.
The splitting of his forces also
mas spoiled the German propaganda
that he was withdrawing unmo-
Tested, they said, and there now is
overwhelming evidence that he is
beaten and in full fight.
On the opposite side of the Axis
narrowing ,ast foothold on the south
shore of the Mediterranean. ground
forces in Tunisia stirred into new
action and the Allies appeared to
be preparing for new drive as
abating rains promised an end to
the mud which has begged down
both sides.
The Morocco radio, saving it
quoted authoritative sources. re-
ported that Axis forces already were
falling back from the region of
Medjez-ElBa5, important highway
junction at the. gateway to Tunis
and Bizerte.
This was the reverse of an earlier
Vichy broadcast saying that Allied
troops had withdrawn from Medjez
El Bah, 35 miles southwest of
Tunis.
Course of Battle Changing.
ut can be said" the Morocco
radio added, that the course of
the battle already is changing
under the weight of Allied air
superiority"
United States planes, another
time without loss, attacked enemy
traffic west of Ell Agheila yesterday
as part of the Allied air offensive
American medium bombers and
bomber-fighters scored many hits,
a United States Army Air Forces
communique said, and at one point
a bomb from medium bomber
caused very large explosion which
was followed by billowing clouds
of black smoke"
Rommels predicament appar-
emily was the result in large part
of air blows which previously had
telescoped his retreating line by
stalling the front end behind roads
blocked with the blasted debris
of trucks and tanks while ground
forces pressed on the rear.
Following night of intensive
ground strafing.' the Cairo COM
munique said, "our bombers and
fighter bombers yesterday con-
tinued to attack the retreating
enemy"
1t mentioned good targets par
ticularly in the Zauta En- Nofllia
area about 100 miles overland west
of Ell Agheila, and said they were
bombed with excellent results"
Rommel evidently had been so in
tent on avoiding just such a pitched
fight as the British pocket forced
on him that only feeble rear guard
patrols were put out to delay the
British, whose pace was checked
principally by long supply line and
the elaborate maze of mines ROM
mel left behind.
The German communique, for the
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