Evening star., 1943-02-27
Tunisiu: Second Round

o"'St0. SO\O1lO NOOIIu
The second phase of the campaign
IN Central Tunisia is we'll expressed
by Secretary of War Stimson, who
characterized it as a "clean-cut re-
pulse of Rommel's Afrika Korps,
administered by the American forces
there in conjunction with British
units.
The Allies certainly have every
reason to congratulate themselves on
the outcome of recent operations.
Rommel's initial successes had
thrown the Americans back over a
wide stretch of territory and across
the strategic range of high hills
pierced by the Kasserine Pass.
Through that gap Rommel's vet
Grams were pouring into the plateau
country beyond and were menacing
the Allied bases at Thala and Te-
bessa. To meet that threat, the
Americans rallied in a desperate de-
Tense, aided by British forces rushed
down from the First Army to the
northward. The defense held. Per-
haps Rommel lacked the reserves to
make good his initial losses in men
and equipment Perhaps he was
handicapped by lengthening commu-
nication lines harried by Allied air
attacks. At any rate. his bold gamble
failed, and he quickly withdrew his
forces from an exposed position and
retired beyond the KasSerine hills.
The next phase of the fighting is as
yet uncertain. Although the Allies
are momentarily on the offensive,
they have suffered losses in men and
especially in equipment which must
be repaired over long supply lines
from Algeria before they can under
take to drive Rommel from the wide
belt of territory gained by him in his
initial offensive and restore the bat
tie front as it existed fortnight ago.
Probably no more reserves can be di-
verted from the nearby British First
Army without exposing it to an at
tack from Won Arnims Germans
facing it in the Tunis-BiZerte tri-
angle. Thus a Temporary lull is pos
sible in these sectors.
Operations in Central Tunisia will
likewise be Influenced by the course
of events in the south, where the
British Eighth Army is consolidating
it's strength before the Mareth Line.
That army is delayed in its advance
by extremely long communications
extending clear back to Egypt, more
than 1,500 miles in its rear. General
Montgomery knows the dangerous
character of his opponent too we'll to
engage himself decisively before he
is able to follow through, especially
since Rommel has a second line of
defense at the chain Of salt lakes not
far behind the Mareth Notifications.
A clear-cut victory would be possible
only if both defense lines could be
successfully pierced and Rommel
thrown back into Central Tunisia,
there to be caught and crushed
in pincers squeeze between the
British and the Americans.
The strategic aim of the Allies is
the shattering of the Axis field forces
as a preliminary to their expulsion
from all North Africa. Not until this
is done will the way be open for
mastery of the Mediterranean and
attacks upon Axis dominated Europe
from the south. The Axis is playing
for time and is thus basically on the
strategic defensive, despite vigorous
offensive tactics. The Allies, on the
contrary, must always envisage a
strategic offensive, to be accomplish
ed in the shortest possible time in
order that the greater objectiyes may
be realized Those basic principles
will continue to govern the respective
plans of the rival high commands, no
matter what tactical dispositions
they may feel impelled to make in in
dividual sectors and on specific occa-
sions.