Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-18
Africa
Continued From First Page

ing toward Gafsa from recaptured
Feriana, about 35 miles northwest Of
The town, since the withdrawal of
Marshal Erwin Rommels forces to
Faid Pass and the subsequent re-
covery by the Allies of much of the
ground lost in the offensive.
Evacuated February Is.
GafSa, town important for its
communications lying Is miles north
OF Chott Djerid Salt Lake, was
evacuated by American and French
troops February Is before the often
sive of Marshal Rommels forces.
Many mines and BOBBY traps have
been laid to hamper our advance, :"
today's bulletin said.
The fleeing Germans were bombed
and shot up by Allied airmen.
Fighters, in low-level attacks, de-
stroyed number of trucks and 81
fenced Axis gun positions.
French forces meanwhile were
driving on Gafsa from the southwest
after last weeks recapture of Met
laoui, rail town % miles west of
the town.
In Northern Tunisia west of
SedJenane, as a result of heavy at
tacks, the enemy made local gains
which were later restored by coun-
terattacks," the communique said
Fighting continues"
Allied fighters carried out offensive
sweeps in this region during which
one Axis fighter was destroyed.
British Counterattack.
The British radio in a broadcast
recorded by CHS, said British troops
mounted two counterattacks against
Axis forces in the northern sector
yesterday.
Two enemy companies succeeded
in making dent in our line in the
Tamera region in a drawn attack
yesterday. but our men fought back
strongly and had restored the posi-
ton by nightfall," the broadcast
said.
1t also reported that British troops
struck at Axis units which overran
French positions on the high ground
north of Tamera and our men have
made some Roadway and have taken
at least 40 prisoners.
Fighters of the western desert
air force destroyed one enemy fight
er, but the weather restricted oper-
ations in this area" the communicate
said.
Two Allied aircraft failed to re-
turn from their missions, but the
pilots Of both were reported safe.
Heavy Fighting.
The Berlin broadcast on the fight
ing in Southern Tunisia asserted
that Marshal Rommel's forces. en-
trencheo in the pillbox studded
Mareth works, had been able to hold
their forward lines amid heavy
fighting.
tThe German high command
declared IN communique broad
cast from Berlin and recorded by
the Associated Press that strong
enemy infantry attacks against
the South Tunisian front were
repulsed. with heavy losses in
f1icted on the enemy" Strong
German air formations partici-
pated in the fighting, it said)
German military quarters, how
ever, forecast IAN increase and con-
of the British attacks"
which Berlin said were launched at
1890 pm. Tuesday.
Describing the forces which Gen
Montgomery was said to be employ
ing against the Mareth positions
the Berlin radio said:
The first line of the British
forces is formed by the 5lst Brit
lsh Division, with three infantry
orlgades and one tank brigade. as
well as the 7th British Tank Di-
vision.
The following units from the sec
ono wave of the British forces: The
5Oth British division and the I'd New
Zealand Division, which together
consist of four infantry brigades.
The 50th Division, which is a
tank division, forms a reserve at the
disposal OF the British commander
IN chief for all eventualities.
These forces, according to the Ber-
lin reports, all were arrayed for a
frontal assault on the Mareth line,
The broadcast declared however
that British troops which previous
~ had been reported operating on
Marshal Rommel's right flank in the
vicinity OF Ksar Rhilane, some 40
miles west and slightly south of the
southern anchor of the Mareth line
had been strongly reinforced
1t is presumed, therefore," the
broadcast added, that this group
has been ordered to operate against
the deep flank of the Mareth line