Evening star., 1943-03-03
German orces Evocuote Rzhev
Major Rail Point Above Moscow:
Allies Shell unision Positions
Troops Press On
After RommeI
South of SbeitIu
By the Associated Press.

ALLIED HEADQUARTERS IN
NORTH AFRICA, March 3.-Al-
lied forces maintained their
pressure on the enemy in North
ern Tunisia yesterday and their
heavy artillery inflicted consid-
cradle damage on Axis positions
north of Beja and east of the
crossroads town of Sedjenane,
communique said today.
Expanding their holdings in pur-
suit of Marshal Erwin Rommel's de-
feated armored forces. Allied van
guards pressed on to the south and
southeast Of Sbeitla," the recaptured
rail town 125 miles southwest of
Tunis.
The communique reported there
was little activity in the central sec
tor and said only patrol activity was
developed by the British 9th Army
which is pressing on the Mareth
Line.
Allied troops beat back small
thrusts by the Axis in Northern Tu-
nisia, spokesmen said, while Allied
planes bombed and shot up enemy
troop concentrations at several
points. knocked down five Axis
fighters and bomber and heavily
attacked Tunis and the nearby har-
Dor of La Goulette.
Axis Infantry Shelled.
Heavy artillery of the American
supported British 1st Army shelled
enemy positions, Axis infantry and
vehicles advancing on the road four
miles east of Sedjenane, II miles
from the coast, and the enemy with
drew after losing four armored cars.
Another small infantry attack
was thrown back five miles north
east of Medjez- el-Bab. A half
dozen tanks approached Beja, mid
way between Sedjenane and Med
jez-el-Bab but two were wrecked
and the others withdrew.
Hurricane bombers and Spitfires
ranging over the front destroyed
number of enemy vehicles and tanks
near the Axis base at Sidi Bouzid,
at Mateur and above Beja. Observers
said direct hits were scored on
enemy buildings and a farmhouse
containing Axis troops.
Two waves of Flying Fortresses,
attacking simultaneously smashed
at the inner and outer harbor of
Tunis Crewmen said they scored
hits on the docks, a warehouse and
industrial areas. At La Goulette
hits were made on the dockyard
and drydock.
Advices from the front indicated
that Rommel's armored legions were
withdrawing steadily toward the
coast after surrendering Sbeitla and
Feriana to American troops which
halted the abortive Axis thrust
toward Tebessa.
Rommel May Go to Faid Pass.
Rommel already has yielded one
third of the territory he gained in
that push at the expense OF con-
siderable losses in men and equip
ment, and 1t appeared likely he
would be forced to relinquish the
remainder of his terrain and fall
back to Faid Pass, where he started
his drive.
Col. Gen. Jurgen Won Arnim's S
forces in the north appeared to be
IN similar straits. In three days of
fighting he has lost 500 men killed
and "a tanks destroyed and the
Allied lines before him still are un-
broken.
In the air the Germans and
Italians have taken a severe beat
ing, losing Is planes in the Central
Mediterranean area in one day
alone.
(The Italian high command re-
ported heavy exchange of aerial
thrusts while there was lively
action and increased activity by
patrol elements and artillery on
the Tunisian front"
British and American planes
bombed the Sicilian towns of
tSee AFRICA, Page A-6.)