Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-03-01
War Today
Allies Wrest
Initiative From
Nazis in Tunisia

Of Field Marshal Erwin Rom
mers Afrika Korps driven back
through Kasserine Pass holly
pursued by American and Brit
ish tanks. infantry md guns, the
battle Of nlnisia, on which at
tention in the United States has
been focused more than a month,
comes TO a pause with the deci-
sion thus far in favor of the
Allies.
Although not all the rounds OF
the hotly waged contest went TO
Gen. Dwight Eisenhower's COM
bined American-British French
force. citizens OF United Nations
can point with Just pride 10 the
outcome.
Green American and British
troops and commanders went up
against some of the most expert
enced desert fighters IN the
world under the command OF the
widest tank commander that the
present war has uncovered.
Ronnmel tried all the strate-
gems for which he is famous.
His 10th and 21st panzer divi-
sions fought with their accus-
toned skill. The terrain on which
the actions took place afforded
every opportunity for conceal
ment and surprise.
The new NaZi tanks and guns
with which Rommels divisions
had been re-equipped since their
retreat proved excellent. That
Gen. Eisenhower's forces were
able 10 do better than hold them
even under the circumstances is
cause for supreme satisfaction
and deep rejoicing.
1T WAS by no means certain
at all times that affairs would
come to their present happy
ending, despite the universally
recognized valor Of American
troops, their fighting ability and
the skill OF their officers.
At his highwater mark. Rom
mel came perilously near
achieving a break-through that
would have cost the United
Nations forces dearly. Definite
faults developed in Allied tao
tics. II goes TO show that war.
like violin playing. Is something
that has TO be learned by prac-
tee.
AS pieced together from cross
analysis of dispatches from the
beginning, IL becomes evident
the battle that ragged about FIVE
weeks In Tunisia's mountains
was q clash OF two offensive
strokes.
First conceived was the
United Nations drive from a
triangle with approximately
equal l00-mile sides. based on
Gafsa, Sened and Sidi Bou lid.
Considerable American forces
were assembled In this area.
probably amounting. as this
column estimated February 1S.
TO a division OF tanks plus at
least one division of infantry.
Objective of this force was to
drive from Sened through the
Tunisian east coast range OF
mountains to Maknassy. from
which United States tanks could
have rolled 80 miles downhill
through open country to the
Mediterranean.
CAPTURE OF Maknassy and
penetration TO the sea would
have cut Nazi forces in Tunisia
neatly In half. with the Axis
rear guard defending the Mar
eth lire 100 miles 10 the south
of the split and main forces in
Tunis and Bizerte $50 miles 10
the north.
Quick 20 recognize the menace
OF the United Nations plan 10
split his forces into two isolated
seements. Marshal Rommel or
gained a counterdrive to at
tempt a splitting operation OF
his own. After considerable
feinting. this was launched
through Faid Pass at Tebessa.
Could the Nazis have driven
10 that important road and rail
junction, they would have been
In position 20 divide the British
First Army besieging Bizerte 10
the north from their American
allies deployed again MaknaSSy
ROMMEL'S FORCES pene-
trated 10 within sight of Tebesss
but were halted just In time by
skiIlful Allied tank drives on
their north and south tanks.
Now the Nazis are back at their
tumpinsof point with heavy
losses. while Allied might in
tanks. men and guns. pile up
against them and Gen. Sir
Bernard Montgomerys British
Eighth Army thunders az the
Mareth Lines bastions.
Objective Of Rommel was e
destroy the northern jaw Of the
pincers that IL closing on him
In this ne failed. although h,
may have knocked out some o.
the teeth.
Objective OF United Nations
forces was 10 keep on increasing
the pressure with their convere
ing armies and maintain IN
broken their ring OF steel. TheiI
success in doing this piles up the
Odds on Rommers ultimat,