Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-16
Axis Forces Lose
& Miles in Clash
In Central Tunisiu
BY IVES GALLAGHER,

ALLIED HEADQUARTERS IN
NORTH AFRICA, Feb. Is. -
American tank combat teams
have smashed back at Marshal
Erwin Rommel'S veteran armored
troops under an umbrella Of
American fighter planes and
forced the Germans back six
miles in the Faid area of Central
Tunisia in the first big arma-
ment battle of North Africa.
Some so miles southwest of Faid
Pass, however, the Allied line has
been bent back, and American and
French troops have had to abandon
their forward base at Gafsa, rs miles
west of the Gulf of GabeS.
An Allied communique today said
small enemy forces had entered
Gafsa yesterday morning, and dis
patches direct from the front said
the Americans and French evac-
uated the place Sunday night after
Rommel began a big push Sunday
morning which threatened to flank
them.
Raging Tank Battle.
The raging tank battle to the
north, where Rommel had achieved
o 2O-mile break through, was the
more important, however, and if the
Americans win the contest now in
progress around Sid Bouzld, 70
miles west of SfaX, the Axis south
ern arm at Gafsa will be in a dam
Cerous position.
(The British 9th Army, pursu-
ing Rommels withdrawing Afrika
Korps, has occupied Ben Gar
dane, 20 miles west of the Tu-
nisian-Libyan border, the Brit
ish announced today at Cairo.
advance elements of the 9th
Army sped on westward from
Ben Gardane and contacted
enemy forces west of the town,
1t was reported. The British
forces have still not reached the
Notifications of the Mareth
line, extending south from the
Gulf of Gabes approximately IS
miles west of the Tunisia- Tripod
itania frontier.
(Rommel's forces had been re-
ported withdrawing toward Ben
Gardane for several days and
apparently no great resistance
was offered to the advancing
British troops there)
Heavy Casualties.
"Heavy casualties have been in
ficted on the enemy" in the Ameri-
can-Rommel dash, competent mill
tary source reported, but both sides
we're reported suffering heavy losses
N the furious battle north and south
Of Sid Bouzid.
Among German losses, it was re-
corted, were 20 tanks.
THE American position is con-
cidered fairly satisfactory" mill
:ary source stated.
The Germans were said to be about
Il miles west Of Faid Pass now, with
the Americans still holding high
Ground to the northwest of the
pass.
The Americans. driven out of Sid
9ouzid when the German attack
swept around both tanks, fought
back and eventually forced the Ger
mans to withdraw somewhat. These
we're the Germans who earlier had
nverrun American artillery positions
west of Faid.
American piloted Spitfires, Light
nings and Airacobras with their de-
atructive cannon fire were sweeping
almost continuously over the heads
Ct the struggling troops.
Used Most Experienced Men.
Rommel hurled his most expert
enced armored units against the I'M
tried American forces Sunday in
chat may be Germany's last great
offensive bid in Africa.
Apparently fighting for living
room" to protect his flank, the
Cesert-wise Rommel tried conclu-
sions with Gen. Dwight D. Essen
kower's forces on the high plateau
between Faid and Sbeitla, where the
(See AFRICA, Page A-l4J