The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1943-04-12

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HUmltaa Rrew star CoErespomaens)
with Allied Forces, Kairouall,
TtInisiA, Delayed April 11.-CuP)
--Armored reconnaissance cars from
the British First Army entered the
Moslem Holy City Of Kairouan et
II q. m. today and sent patrols
across the plains 10 the southeast
where they contacted the British
EiRhth Army IN les swift drive up
the Tunisian coastal road 10 Sousse.
Only the patrol frlnges Of the
two armies which had come nom
the NILE Valley and from The At
lantic coast Of Africa were IN con.
tact, but the meeting created *.
element at advance headquarters Of
1t. Gen. K. A. N. AnderSons First
Army.
you are here at q big moment"
the commanding general Of British
armor gleefully told newSpapermen.
The advance to the Moslem Holy
City which contains the tombs Of
many Tanisian rulers and mosque
that Is supposed to contain three
hairs from the head Of one OF
Mohammed's companions, was the
perfect ending Of q perfect squeeze
play that drove Maxi Marshal Err
win Rommel farther north into q
shrinking bridgehead before Tunis
and Bizerte.
II the stubborn Axis defense Of
Dondouk, in the mountains west
of Kairouan, had been smashed
sooner the squeeze might have be-
come an development Of Rommers
armor.
As It was, there was only sporadic
fighting Saturday, when the British
knocked out 10 enemy tanks from
a group Of 20 to so which they en-
countered In the Kairouan sector.
The enemy tanks were remnants Of
the German 10th and 2lst panzer
divisions.
The British attacked In three coll
umns, knocking out over 20 enemy
trucks which were among the evacu-
ating enemy forces guarded BY the
panzer remnants. At least 20 anti
tank guns and 500 to 600 prisoners
were captured In scattered actions
along the front.
The advance was led by British
but American forces were following
I'D. The British First Army adj
vance units were pleased that they
had beaten the Eighth Army to the
city, but they won the race by only
a few miles.
Actually, the main operations were
around Kairouan and the city it.
self was taken by a scout car, an
armored car and two jeeps.
The populace watched the adj
vance unit gingerly negotiate mine
zelda outside Kairouan and then
warmly welcomed the British. The
jeeps were laden with wild flowers
The president of the Jewish COM
munity made little speech which
he had carefully written out In
phonetic English. It said:
az wish say YOU good morning
and welcome"
He wore the cross of David Yellow
Star which the Germans forced all
Jews to wear from the time they
arrived In Kairouan on November 9.
Driving through the town saw a
number of yellow stars - the first
had seen since leaving Germany
four years ago Monday.
We told the Jews they could re-
move the stars. Some were reluct-
ant.
But we are Jews" some said.
But most of them tore the stars
from their coats and stamped them
In the dust as they shook our hands.
Within half an hour, dozens Of
Kairouan natives were wearing the
covers of American paper matches
with a big V-for- Victory on them.
The covers were pinned to their
coats, in many instances replacing
the yellow star Of David.
One pretty blonde girl and
Tunisian blondes are pretty - ap-
oeared in a snugly-fltt sweater
With huge white ''V" on the front.
The Germans had been pulling