Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-12-05
African Front

The war in North Africa which was
entering what Mr.. Churchill termed the
end Of the beginning just about year
ago is now a closed book but book
which might we'll be reopened and
studied as an example of master PLAN
ming and master execution of the plans.
On the morning Of December 7, 1912
the British 9th Army under 1t. Gen.
Montgomery opened heavy artillery
barrage against Rommel's Afrika Korps
at Ell Agheila in Libya, about one third
OF the way toward the Tunisian border,
and another inland at Tebourba. There
was nothing much to distinguish this
attack from other occasions when there
had been an exchange Of artillery fire
unless, perhaps, the December 7 at
tacks were bit heavier, yet the roar Of
the guns marked the beginning of a CO.
ordinated campaign which was to push
Rommel back until at last he and a
few shattered remnants Of his famous
army were squeezed out of Africa and
the way was paved for the invasion of
Southern Europe
For week, Rommel held Montpom-
cry at bay, but on the 18th several spear
points were thrust through RommeTs
line and he was forced to yield to avoid
a turning movement which might have
pinned down large sections of his army
with their surrender inevitable.
Put Pressure on Nehring.
BY the 10Th of December the British
had moved forward to Sirte, port near
the harbor of Tripolitania and nearly
two-thirds the way across Libya. At
about the same time the British LIST
Army, with the aid of Moroccans, began
to put pressure on Gen. Nehring, making
1t impossible for him to spare any troops
to go to the aid of Rommel.
On the oath Of December came word
that Admiral Darlan who had been CO.
operating with the Allies had been
assassinated, but the encouraging an
nouncement followed that Gen. Giraud
bitter enemy of Germany, had taken
over control Of French forces and terri
tories.
The next day, Christmas, the drive
Tor Bizerte and Tunis from the south
began with Allied forces capturing q
hill at Medjez Ell Bah from which paths
led toward the two ports or northwest
ward toward the sea near Cap Bon
Peninsula.
Allied Strategy Revealed.
Then the various component parts of
the master strategy began to be re-
vealed.
American troops based on Tebessa. In
Algiers, had moved southeastward
through the Kasserine Pass, intent on
reaching Gafsa, from where they could
strike up to the coast at Gabes or Sfax.
French column at the same time was
moving up from Lake Chad in Central
Africa. To the northwest twin drives
were pointed at Bizerte and Tunis, one
poised in the hills at Medjez Ell Bah
and the other moving up the coast
toward Cape Serrat.
Nehring struck back fiercely at Medjez
Ell Bah and the Americans were forced
to give up the hill, captured some days
before, but the column pointed at Gafsa
was successful, capturing the town and
placing itself only 40 miles from Gabes
on the coast.
AS the new year opened, American
antitank gunners helped the French
break up a heavy assault southeast of
Pichon which sought to remove threat
ening situation menacing the port of
Sousse. The British captured Mateur,
which was to change hands several times
before the final drive to Tunis, but failed
to hold it.
A week later French Gen. LIE Clerc
routed the Nazis in the Fezzan area of
Libya and in the next two or three days
cleared that desert area completely of
the enemy.
Rommel then found himself badly ex-
tended east Of Tripoli, with spearpoints
aimed at his line OF retreat at Gafsa,
Sfax and Sousse, and was forced to fall
back rapidly. BY the 22d Of January,
the British had captured Tripou and
Britain naval units. aided By planes, kept