Milford chronicle., 1943-04-09
A WEEK OF THE WAR


The German Afrika Korps, re-
treating up the Tunisian coast
towards the Tunis-Bizerte triangle
has been playing a series Of delay
ing actions, Having made a safe
exit through the Gabes bottIeneck
before the American and British
armies could effect a junction,
Rommel last week turned to make
a stand at prepared positions north
of Oudref. Attacking Allied forces
found their advance hindered by
mine fields laid to cover the Axis
retreat.
According to OWL Director Elmer
Davis, Rommel's withdrawal from
the Mareth Line was made under
cover of sandstorm, which saved
Rommel from the air pounding the
Allies had been prepared to inflict
on him and allowed him to get out
with most of his material intact.
AS a consequence, the Afrika
Korps will now be in a position
to fight good delaying action, Mr..
Davis said, and the more delaying
actions it can fight, the longer it
will postpone ''the eventual inva-
sion of Europe"
Reports of Axis losses so far are
incomplete, but Secretary of War
Stimson said the Axis has lost
large numbers of Germans and
Italians killed, several thousands
made prisoners, and large quanti-
ties of guns, tanks and vehicles.
He said that several American di-
visions are on this front, to take
part in the expulsion of the Axis
from North Africa, and predicted
that before the final phase of the
campaign is over there will prob
ably be a great deal of fighting.
EIGHTH ARMY SUCCESS
The Allied success at the Mareth
Line-forcing ROmmel to abandon
his defense system and flee to the
north-was attributed by both
Director Davis and Secretary Slim
son, to the leadership of General
Sir B. L. Montgomery and the
skill of the British Eighth Army.
Mr.. Stimson explained that what
forced the Axis retreat was the
Eighth Army strategy of sending
a finaking force to the rear of
Rommers troops. but said that
coordinated operations of American
and French troops in central Tuni-
sia and the British First Army in
the north, plus the able support OF
American and British fliers. con-
tributed substantially to the Eighth
Army's success.
All week, Allied air forces have
been harassing the retreating
enemy columns. and a Gordon of
British, American and French
ground troops continues to press
the Axis forces into an ever-nar-
rowing area in eastern Tunisia.
Through this gap, Secretary Slim
son said, Rommel must try to move
his forces. And apparently this is
what he is trying to do, heading
for a union with the Axis forces in
northern Tunisia under Col. Gen.
Won Arnim. Union of Rommels
and Won Arnim's troops would give
the Axis a strong army in good de-
fensive positions-the defense per-
imeter of Bizerte.
REPORTS FROM THE PACIFIC
The recent conference held in !
Washington between high COM {
manders from the Pacific combat ,,
theaters and the U. S. chiefs of ,
staff brought out valuable first {
hand reports of developments in {
the Pacific. There is evidence, Sec
retary Stimson said, that Japan is q
her front line air |
strength in Burma. China and the /
southwest Pacific, but on the basis
Of the commanders reports the :
Army and Navy are preparing de- t
tailed plans for forthcoming opera S
lions. 7
All week, Japanese positions in 8
the Aleutians and in the south |,
Pacific have been under attack by n
American planes. In the north. I
Navy planes hit at Kiska and at a
Holtz Bay. Attu Island, and the f,
Army Defense Command announ- b
,ed that American bombers in one II
lttack dropped more than so tons G
If bombs on the uncompleted Jap II
lnese runway in the Salmon La O
;oon. = =
Ell ENnAT - -