The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-04-03
g German Tanks Attack Americans East of
 Fl Guettar
THREE KNOCKED OUT, %
 OTHERS TURNED BACK
French Push Across Gus. seItia in Central Tunisia
 Without Opposition
BY VIRGIL PINKLEY United Press Staff Correspondent


 United Press Staff Correspondent
 Allied Headquarters, North Africa, April 3. - (UP) = The British First Army has driven closer to Mateur, only 18 miles from Bizerte, an Allied communique an- nounced today, and field dis patches said American big guns smashed a German tank attack on the south- central front.
 Despite bad weather generally, the great Anglo.American aerial armada gave the harried Axis forces no rest. Light boinbers and fighter- bombers raked German positions and transport north of 0ahes in Te- lays, the enemy airheld at La Fauconnerie was bombed twice end raging fires were left burning, and fighters maintained constant pa- trols.
 Six enemy fighters were sent crashing to the earth and four AL lied planes were lost.
 No details of the latest advance of Lieut.. Gen. K. A. N. AndersoKi's First Army in northern Tunlsia were given in the communique but dis- patches indicated that the troops already were less than 90 miles from Bizerte.
 First Army patrols "succesgfuliy engaged and inflicted casualties on an enemy patrol" the communique said Elsewhere, 1t reported only patrol activity.
 Thirty-two German tanks at- tackled the American positions some IS miles east of Fl Guettar yes- terday, but a hurricane barrage knocked out thre Of them and the other % turned back, dispatches said,
 Meantime. the British Eigth Army was massiiag strength for an as- sault to break through German Marshal Erwin Rommels last na- tural defense line above Sousge nearly 140 miles to the north. The German Afrika KorpS now was enc trenched along the north rim of the deep, water-filled Wadi Akarft at the northern entrance to the Gabes Gap 20 miles above Gabes.
 CThe Algiers Radio reported at 6 Q. m. Algiers time that fighting has broken out anew between Eighth Army Vanguards and Rominel's rear guards PAS miles north of 0abes. suggestion that advance British forces have swept across the Wadi. The main body of the Afrika Korps was said to be continuing it's rapid retreat.)
 CThe Allied controlled Morocco Radio quoted unconfirmed reports that Rommel'S headquarters were mo longer in TIiniSia" and Radio London rclayed a Swiss report that Rommel would become liasicn officer and Military adviser to the Italian high command when he leaves Tunisia)
 The length of the German stand at Wadi Akarit is expected to dee pend as much on the progress of twin American thrusts from the northeast against his rear as much as on the impending frontal ate tack by Gen. Sir. Bernard L. M0nt~ gomery's Eigth Army.
 The northernmoSt Of tae eWe American columns already in oaes of MalSnassy and within 30 miles of Wadi Akadit. In its latest ad~ vance, reported today. the column drove six miles north from Make nassy to the outskirts of MebsEs Zebbeus.
 In central Tunisia, French forces pushed farther across the 0ns1eitia plane without notable" opposition A communIque said the garrison of one enemy position sn Ouch Kshlr Valley was completely destroyed.
 Tn northern TtInisia, Lieut. Gen. K. A. N. AndeFson's British yirse Army advanced farther east aicnS the road to Mateur. only lo miles southwest of the naval base ae Bi- zerte, following the occupation e4 Fl Aouana. six miles east e @s4~
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