The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1943-02-04
BY WILLIAM b. DICKINSON

Ia WAAAA<ANA ns UAOkAxN0ON
UNITED Uress Staff Correspondent
London, Feb. 4.+(UP)-Allied
planes attacked Axis supply lines
tanks, artillery and shipping today
In a gigantic arc from southern
Tunisia to the northeastern tip Of
Sicily, while American and British
forces sought to consolidate gains
at strategic points along the Tu-
nissan front.
British troops still were fighting
fiercely to hold an important height
known as Djebel Mansour, seven
miles south Of Bou Arada, which
they captured from the Germans
yesterday. Although an Allied COM
munique described the British ac-
ton as "a small local engagement"
1t was considered important be-
cause 1t gave the Allies O high van
tage point from which to operate.
Bou Arada Is 10 miles south Of
Medjez-El Bah and 40 miles SOUTH
west Of Tunis, an area that may
become one Of the hottest spots In
the North Tunisian battle.
American troops which captured
Sened, railway town 20 miles south
west Of Maknasy on the main road
to SfaX were not engaged in any
new drive at the moment but were
believed to be feeling out the Axis
strength in the marrow central Tu-
nissan sector.
The American troops reported
capturing an italian brigidier gen.
eral and many German soldiers at
Sened.
American botnbers and fighters
Of the 18th Air Force continued to
dominate the air fighting In Tu-
nisia. They bombed an airdrome
at Gabes, troops, tanks, vehicles and
artillery in the Maknassy and Gus
seltia sectors and an enemy convoy
between Tunisia and Sicily.
Six Planes Lost
Six Axis planes were destroyed
Eight Allied planes were missing,
including four British Spitfires,
during routine operations.
Big American Liberators from the
Middle East command bombed the
Sicilian ports Of Messina and Pal
ermo in daylight raids. Heavy dam
age to the harbor areas, oil storage
tanks, a power station and shipping
were reported at Messina, but re-
suits Of the Palermo attack could not
be observed because Of clouds.
An italian coInmunique reported,
however, that 10 persons were killed
and Al wounded in addition to dam
age to buildings at Palermo.
The Middle East command failed
to specify the position Of the
Eighth Army, which two days ago
was 20 miles from the Tunisiaa-
Tripolitanian border.
It merely said that Eighth Army
patrols were active yesterday In all
sectors, perhaps indicating that the
Eighth Army was preparing for q
grand smash across the frontier
after retreating Afrika Korups.
Patrol action also was reported
along the entire Tunisian front,
along which was deployed American,
British and French forces.
Allied heavy bombers from the
Middle East, which had not been
active FOR some days, hit an enemy
motor vessel in the harbor Of Mes
sina, Sicily. yesterday, and attacked
shipping at Palermo.
Fighter bombers attacked enemy
supply in Sicily, blasting ware
houses which burst into flame.
IL Vessels Sunk
The Admiralty announced in
London that IL enemy vessels-most
of them carrying supphes-had been
sunk, probably sunk or damaged IN
the central Mediterranean in the
last few days.
Nine supply ships and an anti
submarine vessel were sunk, by
British submarines. A large sup
Div vessel was attacked and consid-
cred sunk. A 18th. smaller ship,
was damaged.
An American armored force was
dug in east Of Send, IS mills from
the Gulf of Gabes, menactng the
one road by which Marshal Erwin
Rommel's Afrika Korps, pressed by
the British Eighth Army on the
Tripolttania border, can retreat 70
the Tunis-B izerte area.
NO new movement Of the column
had been reported, probably because
the Allied high command considered
Il would be dangerous TO drive for
ward without reinforcements.
Nor had new fighting OF conse:
uuence been reported IN the Faid
rerIon. northc st OF Sened. Tne
Axis. temporarily &C least, had fore
tailed American efforts 70 drive It's