Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-04-28
Allied Thrust
0n|y21 Miles
From Capital
But British General
Warns Against Hope
of Speedy Triumph

ALLIED HEADQUARTERS,
North Africa, April % (UP)--
American infantry drove the en-
envy from three strategic hills in
the Bizerte sector of North Tu-
nisia and were reported advancing
today on the town of Jeffna. 80
miles from the port, as Allied
armies again thrust forward on
key southern sectors to within II
airline miles of Tunis.
Axis troops in strong positions
were fighting to prevent an Allied
break-through to the city of Tunis
at point four miles from strate-
lgic Pont du FANS, a gateway to
the plains before Tunis. A head
quarters spokesman said, however,
that lit appears unlikely that the
enemy at Pont du Fahs will be
able to offer prolonged resistance
under our overwhelming pressure."
QUICK VICTORY UNLIKELY
A general of the British Eighth
Army. nevertheless, warned that
the Axis was being reinforced and
would fight in the hills to the last
man, dashing hopes of quick vic
tory regardless of when Tunis
itself falls.
Yesterday was a day of hard
fighting in which the Allied forces
edged forward a few miles east OF
Medjez-el-Bab, in the western Sec
tor, where they have 10 miles to
go TO the plains, and around Pont
du Fans, where French advance
units pushed to the outskirts Of
the town and met a furry of ma
chine gun and artillery fire.
Fall of Pont du FANS would UNI
dermine the Axis south front ana
open one road to Ttinis.
BRITISH ADVANCE, TOO
The Eighth Army also gained 4
few miles in hard fighting in the
hills southeast Of Pont du Fahs, IN
the southernmost sector. ~
On the extreme northern sector.
the French advanced along the
coast to point less than five
miles from the inland lake known
as Garaet Achkel and about 20 or
% miles from BiZerte.
fhe American advance in the
north captured three main hills
Djebel, Dardyse. Djebel Azzag and
.Djebel Ajred-and some smaller
heights.
The capture of Diebel Aired.
however, had been reported Tues
day in a dispatch from the front
which told of the Americans be-
ing repulsed at Diebel Azzag.
This advance was made by the
northern wing of the American
forces, which had encountered
strong Axis positions yesterday.
TAKE TWO MAIN HILLS
A few miles farther south, the
Americans captured two strategic
hills called Djebel Azzag and
Djebel Aired, which lie on oppo-
site sides OF the road from Sed-
jenane 10 Mateur.
A dispatch from United Press
correspondent C. r. Cunningham,
with the American forces, said
that infantry cleaned up these
heights late yesterday after hard
fighting in which they were once
hurled back from the slopes IT
Djebel Azzag They also occupied
Sid N'ST
Moving against the village or
Jeffna. u miles from Mateur, the
Americans stormed two hills ris-
ing l.200 and 800 feet and con-
.Solidated their positions after
which they began pushing forward
through heavy mlnehelds,
Weather was less favorable, bur
hundreds Of sorties were flown by
Allied bombers attacking enemy
strong points. while Flying For-
treSses again heavily raided Villa
cidro airfield. where much Of the
Axis bomber strength is based IN,
Sardinia
Sid Ahmed airfield near Bizerte
was also bombed Monday night.