Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-18
The Task in Tunisio

Whatever WiShful thinking may
have beclouded public opinion as to
the basic realities in North Africa
undoubtedly is being dispelled by
current developments on the Tu-
nisian front. During the past four
days, two powerful German mechan-
lied columns Spearheaded by their
new giant Mark VI tanks have
broken through the American forces
holding the center Of the battle line.
This break-through has a width of
some so miles and has a depth of
between 80 and 40 miles, with the
Germans still advancing.
The attack bears the earmarks of a
typical Rommel operation. Tanks,
mobile artillery and motorized in
fantry, covered by a cloud of dive
bombers and fighter planes, are skill
fully co-ordinated, and the troops
carrying out the drive appear to be
the cream of Rommel's Afrika Korps
-battle-Wise veterans with long ex-
perience in just this sort of terrain.
That is formidable combination to
pit against American soldiers who,
despite good basic training and
splendid equipment, are in their first
real battle Thus far, they seem to
be giving good account of them
selves. Axis communicates make no
claim of routS, entertainments or big
bags Of prisoners This would imply
that our troops are retiring in good
order and according to plan," as the
military phrase describes a normal
retreat.
The chief tactical gain for the
Axis is the removal of potentially
dangerous pressure on its line of
communications between the main
body of Rommel's army in Southern
Tunisia around the Mareth Line and
Won Arnim'S army some 300 miles to
the northward in the Tunis-Bizerte
triangle. The American position at
Gafsa was less than 70 miles from
the coast, with fairly open country
between. Even from a defensive
standpoint, Rommel needed more
elbow room to maneuver in. This
tactical advantage he has now OBJ
tanned
The next day or two should reveal
whether Rommel has larger stra-
tegic detectives in mind. Thus far,
the German advance in the center.
though locally important, does not
yet threaten to change the larger
strategic picture The Allied situa-
ton would not become serious unless
the Germans should reach Tebessa,
major communications center Just
across the Algerian border. By tax
ing TebesSa the Germans would be
aStride one of the two railway lines
which supply our armies in TuniSia,
and by working up that railroad
they might cut the other line at
Sioux Ahras junction, some so miles
to the northWard. This would isolate
the British First Army facing Won
Arnim before the Tunis- Bizerte tri-
angle. OF course, Rommel is far
from both those key points. Yet the
speed of mechanical warfare is SO
great that such possibilities should
be considered in any realistic evalua-
ton Of given situation.
An obvious Allied counterStroke to
ROmmelS drive in Central TuniSia
would be an attack in force by the
British 9th Army which, having
chased ROmmel clear across Libva.
! is now mastering its strength before
the Mareth Line. This fortified belt
| is relatively short and may be out
/ thanked by superior forces. Since the
9th Army still has to be supplied
| from Egypt, difficulties of commune
| cation have presumably slowed its
| concentration for an alI-out attack.
| Nevertheless, its growing threat
| doubtless cOmpelS ROmmel to leave
the bulk Of his forces facing the
British in the extreme south. This
! logically curtails the strength of his
! present drive in Central TuniSia
! much as he would like to attack his
enemies in detail. His central posi-
! ton gives him certain freedom of
choice, but this freedom is strictly
/ limited.