The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-04-08
Drive May Squeeze
 Germans Into Sea
Continued from Page D

Tunisian front indicated determined efforts to catch Rommel some- where along the mid-Tunisian coastal plain in battle to destroy the enemy, as outlined last week by Eisenhower.
 The Nazl Marshal was expected eventually to try to fall back on Sfax and then on SousSe. where the terrain would be most favorable for last ditch battle in conjunction with Axis forces of Gen. Jurgen Won Arnin in the north. But RoInmel also was expected to continue strong rear guard operations.
 Hard Fighting Looms
 There is one position. called Wadi Dreia, about seven miles north of the Akarit whom which Roinmel was driven on Tuesday, but 1t was not known whether a stand was be- ing attempted there. Axis forces. however, still hold formidable hill positions guarding the coastal blair, in central Tunisia, especially near Maknassy and farther north near Ousseltia. and hard fighting will be necessary to drive them out.
 There still was no sign that Roni- mel,s veteran Afrika Korps was cracking up despite the long and battering series or defeats they have suffered at the hands Of Gen. Sir Bernard Montgomery's Eighth Army since the original break-through al Fl Alanein. Usually leaving Italians and a small number of Germans be. hind, the Afrika KorpS has res treated in good order most of the time and appeared still to be main- taining much of its fighting punch
 (Radio Berlin, quoting a German communique. said that on the south ern Tunisian front. Axis troops took up new positions according to plar after stubbornly resisting British attacks.)
 The war in the air over Tunisis continued to play an important part in the Allied gains. Strong forces of light bonlbers and fighter bomb. CTS smashed at enemy positions and transport columns ali day Wed. nesday, destroying many vehicles and shooting down nine Stuka dive bombers attempting to attack Al. lied forces. The railroad yards al TlInis also were smashed and sci afire.
 Tn all. 14 Axis planes were shol down Wednesday compared to otle Allied plane lost in the blasting Oi the enemy throughout the Tinisiar front. Additional reports showed five more enemy planes were de- stroyed on Tuesday than were or iginally reported.
 Total Axis prisoners taken in tho battle for Tunisia now is approach. ing 10000, including 5000 taken ir the Wadi Akarit fighting and lb( more taken yesterday by AndersOn'i army in an advance Of four to five miles along the Medjez Fl Bab front
 The text of the communique:
 "The enemy counter-attacks or the afternoon of April 6 with Ger. man troops against the positions captured by the Eighth Army thai morning were pressed with great de. termination. These attachs were however. all repulsed. and the enen, suffered heavy losses.
 Mobile FeFces Active
 '"rhe enemy had' been declslfels defeated and during the night 0i April 6-7 1t was clear that theS could not maintain any posltloa iE the Wadi Akarlt area. Our mobile forces started to pursue northwardi early on April 2.
 "The Eighth Army made coptecl during the afternoon of April . wit American forces operating from p 0uettag.
 French troops again cooperstet closely on the southern dasik Of ths Second ~. s) Corps. Tn 6 suc' cessful advance, tlaey captured ( number of prisoners and % guns.
 'srhe pursuit of the enemy con- tinues TelentlessIy and many uiogi