MIDDLE EAST

r«

RV HEADO'JARTEPv) ROYAL AIR FORCE MIDDLE EA^T AMERICAN CONFIDENTIAL JANUARY-MARC -A­ MIDDLE EAST REVIEW NO2

HEADQUARTERS ROYAL AIR FORCE MIDDLE EAST 1l: tl i iiA| jM i*<-*

Contents

Forwarct to Tunis. Section I. With the VHIth Army to Mareth Page 5 Section II. Tunisian Encounter 23 Section III. The Pincers Begin to Close 40 Tables Showing Scale of Effort 51 Tables of Operations in the Mediterranean 55 Malta's Contribution 61 Rescued at Sea in a Storm 72 Madagascar Sideshow 75 The Other Side of the Picture 82 Fighter Recce — The Formation of 285 Wing ... 90 Filming Under Fire 95 Night Operations by Bostons 100 The Enemy's Last Days in Tripoli 105 From the 540s ... 110 Acknowledgment 113 Maps — Eastern Battle Area, 1st January - 31st March, 1943 4 Western Battle Area, November, 1942 Marcb, 1943 22 Malta, Sicily and the Toe of Italy 62 Madagascar 76

^ ^ ^ Review is Secret (= American Confidential). It 'is intended for, theJxSBmation of all officers and flying crews, under conditions of security app^0j0K^oy the Commanding Officer, who is to ensure that within these limits it has as wide a circulation as possible. No quotation may be made from it without the authority of 8.A.A.O., H.Q., B.A.F., M.E.; neither are any of. its contents to be communicated to anyone out­ side the Services. All persons are hereby warned that the unauthorised retention or destruc­ tion of this document is an offence against the Official Secrets Act, 1911-1920. Any unauthorised person obtaining possession of a copy should immediately forward it in a closed unstamped envelope to H.Q., R.A.F., M.E. Foreword

IS umber Two of the R.A.F. Middle East Review covers the first quarter of 1943, during which Tripoli was captured, the enemy was forced out of the Mareth line, and the pincers of the British, American and Allied forces began to close on the enemy in Tunis from the west, south, and east. Certain changes in the operational control of the air forces engaged ivere therefore inevitable. Mediterranean Air Command was established as a combined American and R.A.F. Operational Headquarters to co-ordinate all air force effort. The Twelfth U.S.A.F. and the R.A.F. Eastern Air Command, which were operating from the Algerian side, were combined into the North-west African Air Forces, including the North-west African' Tactical Air Force, the North-west African Strategical Air Force, and the North-west African Coastal Air Force. In February, following their entf-f into Tunisia, the Western Desert Air Force and part of the Ninth U.S.A.F?, entered under the operational control of the N.A.A.F., while Air Head quart? ers, Egypt, changed its name to Air Headquarters, Air Defences, Eastern Mediterranean, responsible for fighter defence over Tripolitania, Cyrenaica,. Egypt and the Levant, the coast line and convoys, from Tripoli (Trip.) to Tripoli .(Lev.). R.A.F. Headquarters, Malta, also changed to Malta Air Command under the operational control of Mediterranean Air Command. The scope of the R.A.F. Middle East Review is not confined merely to reporting the activities of formations and units controlled by H.Q., R.A.F.. M.E. Its task is to present, as far as possible, a clear story of operations in the Middle East theatre as a whole. The historical narrative section, therefore, includes the work of the Dominions, Allied, and Royal Naval Air Squadrons which are working with, or as part of, the Royal Air Force. It is, however, obviously impracticable to designate the nationality of every aircfaft or squadron employed in mixed formations, but it is intended, in future numbers of the "Review", to cover, from time to time, the operations of each Dominion and Allied Air Force separately, if desired, over the period of their employment in the Middle East.

**• ,»ir Forward To Tunis!

Daring the early days of November, 1942, it became evident that the "Battle for Egypt" had been won by the VUIth Army. From June to October the Axis threat to the Delta had been ever-present although progressively diminished; the next month, Rommel's battered remnants mere in full flight westwards. The R.A.F.s part in stemming the enemy's advance into Egypt, aiding the VIIlth Army's break-through at El Alamein and attacking the Axis columns in their retreat across Cyrenaica has already been recorded in the previous number of the R.A.F. Middle East Review. The war in Africa then entered a new phase. Menaced from the west by the Allied troops who had landed in North-west Africa and having no hope of hailing the VI11th Army advancing from the east, the. Axis f< rces at length took to I heir Tunisian strongholds, determined to keep a fooling on the southern shores of the Mediterranean as long as possible. The story is now told of the air operations during the. first three months of 19'iS, ivhich were of paramount importance in the process of squeezing the enemy out of Africa. The account is divided into three sections; the first two deal separately with the operations of the Western Desert Air Force and the North-west African Air Forces up to the end of the halt at Mareth, and the third section gives a composite picture of the air activity during the attack on- the Mareth Line and the advance of the Allies in the northern and central sectors of the Tunisian battlefield. The operations of Malta-based aircraft against Tunisian targets are not included in this account, as the activity of the Malta Force during the time that the island changed from a Mediterranean outpost to an offensive base for attacks on Tunisia and Italy is dealt with separately in the "Review".

SECTION I. WITH THE VIII ARMY TO MARETH

AT THE CLOE OF 1942, Rommel's forces had in oru-i" to hinder their occupation by the Western completed their withdrawal to the Buerat de- Desert Air Force. fences. In the final stages of this withdrawal The abandoning of Sirte by the enemy's 15th no serious attempts were made to check the Armoured Division without offering any resist- VHIth Army's advance by rearguard actions, al- ance and the withdrawal from Wadi Chebir, the though some delay was imposed by the thorough natural first line of defence of the Buerat posi­ mining of roads and the rigging of booby traps. tion, before pressure was exerted by our land In addition, the landing grounds at Sirte and forces, indicated that the enemy had by no means garnet were ploughed up and strewn with mines recuperated sufficiently to make a determined stand. Rommel's fighting strength was still de­ the R.A.F. Regiment protected squadrons on the pleted and, in particular, the Italian part of it move and were responsible for the safety of land­ consisted mainly of untried formations: the Ger­ ing grounds. man tank strength was put at 70 to.80 and that At the opening of 1943, Rear A.H.Q., Western of the Italians at something under 30. The Desert, was located at Benina and the Advanced enemy's deficiencies at this stage were in equip­ H.Q. at Marble Arch; by the second week in ment and fuel even more than in man-power. January, however, the rear and advanced sections His transport losses had been severe, his tank had moved up to Nofilia and Tamet, respectively. strength was low, and for artillery he was mainly Early in January No. 244 Wing consisting dependent on new Italian divisions, supplemented of four Spitfire squadrons and No. 239 Wing of by guns gleaned from the back areas which were four Kittyhawk squadrons were operating from mostly of obsolescent types. It was clear that the Hamraiet landing grounds; the reconnais­ reinforcements of tanks and guns were essential sance squadrons of Spitfires, Hurricanes and before he could give battle to our armour. An Baltimores were up in the Tamet area; there even more immediate need was petrol. Units was a rear force of Kittyhawk and Hurricane had been chronically short for two months and squadrons at Belandah and Jedabya, respective­ the withdrawal across Cyrenaica had been made ly; and No. 3 S.A.A.F. Wing of two Boston and possible only by the stringent rationing and con­ one Baltimore squadrons was based at Solluch servation of fuel. with advanced landing grounds at Gzina. It is worthy of note that at this time, apart from the The Opposing Air Forces three light bomber squadrons, six of the eighteen At the beginning of 1943, the enemy's Tripoli­ fighter and reconnaissance squadrons were tanian-based air forces were estimated to consist S.A.A.F. unit§. of 155 German aircraft, of which all but 25 were As part of the Western Desert~"Air Force, also, ME.109s, and 310 Italian aircraft, which includ­ certain fighter and bomber squadrons of the ed 110 MC.200S and 202s and 100 CR.42s. Here Ninth U.S.A.A.F. were well up in the forward again, the shortage of fuel limited offensive area. No. 57 Fighter Group, which included three action. In the Mediterranean area, in general, Warhawk squadrons, was operating from Tamet however, the Axis air forces were still formidable and No. 12 Bombardment Group of four Mitchell as numerous squadrons of all types, were located squadrons was based at Gambut, with advanced in southern Italy and the adjacent islands, and landing ground at Magrun. Tunisia, Crete and the Dodecanese. A Wellington striking force, operating under The moving up of the Allied squadrons con­ No. 205 Group, was located at Baheira. Although tinued to keep pace with the advancing VHIth formidable, it was no longer of such magnitude Army. An R.A.F. airfield reconnaissance party as during the "Battle for Egypt/' because as and an R.E. constructional unit moved westwards suitable targets thinned out on the mainland a with our forward troops and ensured that aban­ number of Wellington squadrons had been trans­ doned landing grounds were repaired at top speed. ferred to Malta, in order to attack shipping and In addition, sappers of the VHIth Army cleared enemy bases in Tunisia and southern Italy. airfields of mines and their skill and courage In the rear of the Western Desert Air Force, in this dangerous activity prevented any ap­ A.H.Q., Egypt, controlled a rear force of fighter preciable time-lag between the abandonment of squadrons, based at Benina, and retained respon­ the landing grounds by the enemy and their oc­ sibility for the air defence of Egypt and coastal cupation by the Allied air forces. When the delay shipping; the change of nomenclature of this in putting into commission landing grounds which formation to A.H.Q., Air Defences Eastern Me­ had been ploughed and mined was likely to be diterranean and its increased commitments are considerable, initiative was shown in the speedy mentioned on page 20. No. 201 (Naval Co­ construction of new landing grounds. Thus, operation) Group continued to direct the opera­ when Tamet landing ground was found to be un­ tions of squadrons responsible for sea reconnais­ serviceable in the last days of December, 1942, sance, strikes against enemy vessels and anti­ three landing grounds at Hamraiet (about 30 submarine patrols. As at this stage of the battle miles S.W. of Sirte) were prepared for the the protection of our extended supply line was fighter and fighter-bomber squadrons. At times, all-important, it cannot be over-emphasised that also, the speed of the enemy's retreat seemed Middle East Naval co-operation units in January, likely to place his troops out of range of our 1943, covered the shipping lanes from Syria west­ fighter force. On these occasions, air transport, wards to Sirte. which had already been used to facilitate the In addition to the American squadrons operat­ R.A.F.'s movement across Cyrenaica, was again ing with the Western Desert Air Force, No. 9 employed for the transference of personnel and U.S. Bomber Command had several heavy bomber equipment to landing grounds within close range groups located in the Suez Canal zone, with of the retreating enemy forces. On 17th January, advanced bases at Gambut. for example, the Kittyhawk squadrons of No. In Malta, never had the R.A.F. been so power­ 239 Wing hopped from Hamraiet to Sedada, a ful. At the beginning of 1$43, nearly twenty distance of 100 miles, and operations continued squadrons of such diverse types as Wellingtons, without a pause. Throughout the advance, also, Beauforts, Mosquitoes, Baltimores, Albacores, Sappers of the VllltJi Army cleared airfields of mines, and prevented any appreciable time lag between the abandonment of landing grounds by the enemy and their occupation by the Allied Air Forces.

Swordfish, Spitfires and Beaufighters were based The Enemy at Buerat on the island. For many months the world had 1943 opened with Rommel's forces withdrawn known that Malta could "take it"; it now be­ to the Buerat defences. It was clear, however, came more and more evident that the island was that reinforcements to the Tunisian-based Axis in a position to "give it." forces held priority over the reinforcing of the January, 1943, accordingly, found the Allied retreating army then located in Tripolitania, and air forces in the Middle East well placed to play the halt at Buerat was intended simply to delay a full part in the land battle on the VHIth the Vlllth Army's advance as long as possible Army's front, protect the vast extent of territory and not in order to make a stand. As early as already won, safeguard the vmth Army's line of 3rd January, in fact, the process of withdrawing supply and strike at enemy shipping and bases. the non-mobile units from Buerat was already in process and it was evident that the Agheila of combats with enemy fighters one ME.109 was programme was about to be repeated. destroyed, two were probably destroyed and three In the first half of January, while the Vlllth damaged without loss to our aircraft. It was Army was engaged in constant patrolling in evident that the Vlllth Army could continue to order to probe the enemy's defences and re­ count on the Allied squadrons ruling the air over grouping preparatory to another advance, the the battlefield. Western Desert Air Force carried out daily re­ Activity prior to Vlllth Army's Advance connaissances, maintained offensive patrols, and limited the enemy's air activity by attacks on Adverse weather conditions prohibited bomb­ his advanced landing grounds. Attacks were ing operations in Tripolitania during the first also made on road junctions, traffic, and enemy week in January, but with the slight improve­ vehicle concentrations. ment in the weather in the following week our During the first week in January, our air activity bombers and fighter-bombers operated whenever over the forward area was slight, due primarily practicable. to adverse weather conditions and partly to the At this time, it was evident that the bulk of fact that the R.A.F. fighter force was settling in Rommel's supplies was coming overland from on the new Hamraiet landing grounds. Twice Tunisia as after 2nd January no more merchant during the week, ME.109s made bombing and shipping arrived at Tripoli and no lighter traffic 9traffing attacks on these advanced landing had been observed at Misurata since the third grounds, and on the second occasion, 7th week in December. The constant attacks by January, Spitfires of No. 92 Squadron shot down N.W. African-based aircraft on the enemy's rail one of the enemy raiders, probably destroyed and road communication in the southern sector another and damaged a third. One Spitfire was of the Tunisian battlefield are dealt with in destroyed, but the pilot was saved. Section 2. The next week, our air operations in Tripoli­ In order to spread confusion on the enemy's tania were on a progressively increased scale. supply route and hinder his troop movements From 8th to 14th January inclusive, R.A.F. westwards, on the night 8/9th January, five iighter3 carried out 350 sorties on offensive pa­ R.A.F. Liberators bombed road junctions in the trols, and during the latter part of the week U.S. Tripoli area, nine Wellingtons bombed and ma­ Warhawks of No. 57 Fighter Group also took a chine-gunned Misurata and roads in the vicinity, full share in this activity. Combats with the and night-flying Hurricanes straffed the road enemy aircraft, however, were few and arose between Zliten and Horns. Two nights later, four principally from our interception of fighters and Liberators and three Wellingtons again bombed fighter-bombers attacking our forward positions the road junctions at Tripoli and 22 Wellingtons and landing grounds. Thus, on 8th January, attacked Horns and the coastal road. On the Spitfires and Kittyhawks intercepted three for­ ll/12th January and the following two nights, mations of ME. 109s which were attempting to Liberators continued their bombing of the Tripoli attack the Hamraiet landing grounds and, after road junctions and attacked supply dumps in forcing many of the enemy fighter-bombers to that area. Meanwhile, Hurricanes of No. 73 jettison their bombs, shot down one ME.109, pro­ Squadron straffed traffic on the coastal road, bably destroyed two and damaged two more. In particularly between Garibaldi and Castelverde, other combats on the same day, Spitfires of and extended this activity to the tracks leading No. 1 S.A.A.F. Squadron and No. 92 Squadron to Tauorga and Bir Dufan. shot down two MC.202s and one ME.109 and The bombing of the enemy's positions and probably destroyed two MC.202s for the loss of vehicle concentrations recommenced on 9th one Spitfire. On 11th January, enemy air­ January. On that day, 36 Kittyhawk-bombers craft attacking our positions in the Bir Zedan made two successful attacks on dispersed enemy and Tamet areas were intercepted and our fight­ transport in the vicinity of Wadi Zemzem, south­ ers shot down three MC.202s and one ME. 109, west of Gheddahia. Attacks at this time in the probably destroyed one ME.109 and damaged Gheddahia area were important as the enemy three other aircraft. Four additional aircraft had armour and vehicles stretched out from were seen to crash, presumably through anti­ Gheddahia to Ngem in order to guard his open aircraft fire. The next day, 12th January, Spit­ southern flank. The following day, 10th January, fires of Nos. 1 S.A.A.F. and 145 Squadrons inter­ the Kittyhawk-bombers continued their attacks cepted an attack by twelve ME.202s, escorted by the bombing of a hundred dug-in vehicles in by seven ME.109s, on Tamet landing ground; Wadi Raml, south of Gheddahia. four MC.202s and one ME.109 were shot down There were now large transport concentrations and anothef~ME.109 was probably destroyed. Our in the Gheddahia area, so on the night 13/14th losses were two Spitfires, but both pilots were January attacks on these targets were made by saved. sixteen Wellingtons, aided by flare-dropping Offensive patrols reached their peak for the Albaoores, and the attacks were renewed the first half of January on the 14th, the day before next day by Allied light bombers in the face of the Vlllth Army resumed its attack. 79 Spitfire determined fighter opposition. and 73 Kittyhawk sorties were carried out over On several occasions, also, camps in the rear the enemy's forward positions, and in the defences at Tauorga, twenty-five seventeen Baltimores, escorted by Kittyhawks formation was attacked by 20 G^rmaHn'd Italian

Attacks in the Gheddahia area were important, as the enemy had armour and vehicles stretched out from Gheddahia to Bu Ngem in order to guard his open southern flank. sposed along the Gheddahia-Bu Ngem fighters, of which fl track withdrew to the west of Wadi Zemzem. damaged. Our losses, however, were greater— one Baltimore, four Kittyhawks and two U.S. The withdrawals were not allowed to proceed Warhawks failing to return. unhampered as during the night Bostons, Bal­ timores and Albacores bombed vehicles on the In order to limit enemy air activity on the eve Gheddahia-Sedada track and the main road near of the VHIth Army's advance, attacks were made Misurata, and No. 73 Squadron Hurricanes on landing grounds behind the Buerat line. On the straf­ night 13/14th January, seventeen Bostons bomb­ fed traffic between Gheddahia and Horns. ed Bir Dufan north landing ground, and the fol­ The next day, our infantry advanced in the lowing day 35 Kittyhawks straffed the landing Bir

The Enemy Withdraws Enemy Airfields Attacked During the night, 15/16th January, the enemy As the__Axis forces retreated westwards, the evacuated Buerat and the covering forces irces struck hard at the enemy's land­ ing grounds in the Tripoli area and those aero Us bombed and machine-gunned transport, the border in Tunisia. vehicles on the .coascal- road bejweefi 'Cristefoeifle On 17th January, our reconnaissance aircraft and Tripoli . and .jnjand in the Tarhujna ar.ea. reported the presence of nearly 200 aircraft at Meanwhile, No£*73 Squadron^HuFricartes straffe^ the Castel Benito airfield, twenty miles south of traffic moving from Tripoli westwards to Zuara, Tripoli. There had always been a considerable encampments and petrol dumps south of Castel force located at this important airfield but it was Benito, and the railway goods yard at Sabratha, now augmented by the squadrons withdrawn from 40 miles west of Tripoli. the enemy's advanced landing grounds. Accord­ During the morning 20th January, Tarhuna ingly, that night, the airfield was attacked by a was occupied by our land forces and enemy rear- bomber force consisting of three R.A.F. Libera­ guards were engaged near Horns and north-west tors, 20 Wellingtons, 26 Bostons and one Baltimore. • of Tarhuna. Wide-spread damage was inflicted and thirty Support was given to our troops in the Horns fires were caused, several of which were accom­ area by fighter-bomber attacks on gun positions panied by explosions. The airfield was attacked and enemy rearguards near Cussabat, thirty miles again on the night of 18/19th January by 34 Bos­ south-west of Horns, and retreating columns con­ tons and Baltimores and on the following night verging on Tripoli were also bombed throughout by eight Wellingtons. On both occasions' many the day. In all, nearly 100 sorties were flown by fires were started among dispersed aircraft and Kittyhawk and U.S. Warhawk fighter-bombers, some caused by the medium bombers were visible which were strongly escorted by Spitfires, Kitty- for fifty miles. Meanwhile, attacks were also hawks and U.S. Warhawks. In an engagement delivered by N.W. African-based aircraft. with ME.109s, the American fighters probably On 21st January, 87 Kittyhawks and U.S. War- destroyed one enemy aircraft and damaged two hawks made the last attack on Castel Benito others at the cost of one Warhawk destroyed. aerodrome. Several aircraft were destroyed and For the next three nights and days the forward damaged, including JU.52s, and the ploughing up enemy columns retiring along the coastal road of the landing grounds, which was in progress, westwards from Tripoli were continuously attack­ was hindered by the destruction of three ploughs. ed by the Western Desert Air Force. The night The Kittyhawks were attacked by German and attacks were carried out by strong forces of light Italian fighters, of which one MC. 202 was shot bombers and night-flying Hurricanes and the down and one ME.109 probably destroyed; our day attacks by fighter-bombers. losses were two Kittyhawks. On the nights 20/21st, 21/22nd and 22/23rd As the Axis air forces withdrew to landing January, 94 effective sorties were carried out by grounds further west, the Western Desert Air S.A.A.F. Bostons and Baltimores and nine U.S. Force extended its attacks across the Tunisian Mitchells on transport vehicles withdrawing along border, beginning on 22nd January a series of the main road between Tripoli and Ben Gardane. fighter-bomber and bomber attacks on the Ben The attacks on the night of 22/23rd January in­ Gardane and Medenine landing grounds. These cluded machine-gunning and were particularly attacks were of great value in limiting the effective; several fires were caused, and in addi­ enemy's fighter and fighter-bomber effort imme­ tion to the havoc wrought among enemy vehicles, diately iaef ore and after our capture of Tripoli. hits were scored on an A.A. position and on the Zuara jetty. Attacks on Enemy Transport In day attacks on retreating enemy vehicles, Throughout 18th January, enemy columns re­ from 21st to 23rd January inclusive, the Allied treating up the Tarhuna track in the direction fighter-bombers carried out 260 effective sorties. of Tripoli were attacked by our fighter-bombers Typical of these attacks was the effort of 22nd which made eight attacks, comprising over 100 January. During that day, 58 Kittyhawks and sorties. The attacks were continued during the 45 U.S. Warhawks, escorted by Spitfires, attack­ night by sixteen Wellingtons which bombed trans­ ed closely-packed columns withdrawing into Tu­ port south of Tripoli, particularly in the Gardane nisia, between Zuara and Ben Gardane. Many area, and a few Bostons operated around Tar­ direct hits were scored on vehicles and much da­ huna. mage was done by machine-gunning; the high­ The next day, 19th January, Kittyhawk-bom­ light of the operations was the blowing up of a bers maintained pressure on the retreating enemy petrol tanker and twenty other vehicles which columns near Tarhuna, but low cloud hampered were standing by waiting to be re-fuelled. In ad­ operations and "moderate" targets only were dition to the attacks on road transport, shipping located. The Axis air forces made a special ef­ in Zuara harbour was bombed in order to delay fort to check the VHIth Army's advance, but its departure before an attack by our Naval for­ their attemps were unavailing; one formation of ces. ME.109S, in fact, actually aided our operations by bombing and machine-gunning their own Offensive Patrols troops, presumably due to poor visibility. Meanwhile, on the 21st and 22nd January, Spit­ No respite was given to the enemy's retreating fires, Kittyhawks and U.S. Warhawks carried out columns during the night. A strong force of offensive patrols over the Tripoli-Zuara area and S.A.A.F. Bostons arid Baltimores and U.S. Mit- maintained air supremacy. On the 21st, Spit^ Enemy aircraft on Castel Benito airfield after three nights' straffing by Allied and U.S. aircraft fires engaged two formations of enemy aircraft, The F shooting down three JU.87s and two MC. 202s and probably destroying two more Stukas and an­ Shortly after dawn on 23rd January, armoured other fighter without loss to themselves. The units of the VHIth Army entered Tripoli. On the following day, Spitfires and Kittyhawks con­ spot where II Duce had been presented with the tinued their sweeps without sighting any hostile "Sword of Islam" the Commander of the VHIth aircraft. Army received the keys of the last city of the Italian Empire. Attacks on Ports and Bales All sea-worthy ships had left Tripoli by 21st From the time that the enemy established him­ January, although several of these were inter­ self at Buerat in late November, 1942, the Axis cepted by our destroyers. In an attempt to delay supply ports in Tripolitania, Tunisia, southern our re-commissioning of the port the enemy had Italy and Sicily were subjected to heavy bombing carried out extensive demolitions (where R.A.F. by Allied aircraft based in Egypt and Cyrenaica, and U.S.A.A.F. bombs had not done the job for and this was supplemented by attacks carried him) and five block-ships were sunk in the en­ out from Malta and N.W. Africa. trance to the harbour. By the end of 1942, R.A.F. and U.S.A.A.F. Rommel knew that his forces were still ina­ heavy bombers based in Egypt had carried out dequate for the task of giving battle to the Vlllth over 70 effective sorties against port installations Army and his object was to gain time until he and shipping at Tripoli; Wellingtons had also had established himself at his next main halting- made an appreciable number of attacks and these place — the Mareth Line. The plans for delaying were continued in the New Year from Malta our pursuit which had proved effective during his Thfe majority of the 1942 sorties against Tripoli retreat across Cyrenaica and Tripolitania were still operative; maximum damage was inflicted were flown by the heavy bombers of the Ninth to ports in order to increase our difficulties of U.S.A.A.F. which dropped an estimated bomb- supply, delay was imposed by rearguard actions load of 459,000 lbs. on the harbour. and the mining and blocking of roads, and landing The attacks on Tripoli harbour were re-com­ grounds were rendered unserviceable in an at­ menced in 1943 on 15th January by Liberators of tempt to limit our air operations. the Ninth U.S.A.A.F. and continued for the next By 6th February all enemy forces had with­ six days. During this week of bombing, the Libe­ drawn across the Tunisian border. The intensive rators carried out 73 effective sorties and drop­ attacks of the Twelfth U.S.A.A.F. in this southern ped 364 x 1,000 H.E. bombs on shipping in the sector of the Tunisian battle area are indicated in harbour and port installations. The Liberators Section 2. again demonstrated the effectiveness of their fire by shooting down one M.E. 109 and one M.C. 200, For two or three days after the capture of -probably destroying three M.E. 109s and damag­ Tripoli the Allied fighter-bombers continued their ing two more without loss to themselves, although attacks on enemy road traffic between Sabratha on two occasions the American heavy bombers and Zelten (twelve miles west of Zuara), and on sustained damage through intense anti-aircraft the night 23/24th January a small force of light fire. bombers and night-flying Hurricanes extended their attacks as far as Ben Gardane. Owing to Further west in Tunisia, U.S. Liberators and the increased dispersal of the withdrawing enemy Liberators of No. 160 Squadron carried out heavy forces, however, few suitable targets were now attacks against the ports of Sousse and Tunis. available and there was a lull in this activity until The following table showing the estimated daily vehicle concentrations were located in the Ben tonnage discharged at the main Tunisian ports Gardane area on 5th February. during the month of January indicates the result of the combined effort of the Royal Navy and From 25th January to 4th February, the Air Force in the sinking of Axis ships en route to enemy pressed into service all types of sea-going Tunisia, and of the Allied air attacks, delivered craft, including, motor-vessels, schooners, barges, from bases east and west of the enemy, on his ketches and "F"-boats in order to relieve the port facilities and shipping in harbours. strain on road transport carrying supplies to his forward troops at the Tunisian frontier. Accord­ Normal daily Average daily ingly, during this period the R.A.F. fighter- Port. discharge. discharge in January. bomber attacks were directed principally against Tunis 2,400 tons. 700 tons. enemy coastal shipping off the island of Djerba Bizerta. 1,800 tons. 1,000 tons. and along the strip of coast between Zarsis and Sousse. 1,500 tons. 300 tons. Pisidia (20 miles west of Zuara). In spite of bad Sfax. 1,500 tons. 200 tons. weather which limited the scope and scale of air Gabes. 300 tons. Nil. operations, on practically every one of the eleven days coastal craft were located and bombed and In addition to attacks on the mainland, U.S. Li­ machine-gunned. berators, during the first three weeks in January, reached across the sea to strike at the Axis sup­ Meanwhile, in the rear of the vmth Army, ply bases at Naples and Palermo. These attacks with the Cyrenaican ports brought into full use were multiplied and extended in the following and Tripoli rapidly being put into commission weeks. again, R.A.F. fighters provided constant protec­ tion to the ships bringing up supplies to <5ur land On 20th February our land forces occupied and air forces. During the week ending 10th Medenine. The enemy's armoured units which February, for instance, R.A.F. fighters flew 400 withdrew on that day were followed and engaged sorties over shipping plying between the Nile at Metameur by our armour and part of his forces Delta and Tripoli and a further 120 aircraft were was nearly cut off. This engagement resulted in engaged in anti-submarine patrols. In addition, the accelerated withdrawal of the enemy's 15th over Tripoli harbour itself 88 fighter sorties were Armoured Division and by 21st February it had carried out to cover the unloading of convoys. dropped back into positions dug in front of the The Hurricane squadrons were chiefly responsi­ southern end of the original Mareth Line. ble for this air protection of our coastal shipping; While the enemy was withdrawing his remain­ although their sorties were now less spectacular ing forces to the Mareth defences the Western then during the "Battle for Egypt" their work Desert Air Force activity was limited to a few was vital to the prosecution of the war in Tuni­ tactical reconnaissances carried out by No. 40 sia. S.A.A.F. Squadron as bad weather prevented any offensive fighter operations. Pursuit Slowed Down Up to 12th February the advance of the VHIth Lull at Mareth Army was slow. The coastal road had been By withdrawing to the Mareth defences, Rom­ thoroughly mined and progress was constantly mel had rid himself of many supply difficulties hindered by demolitions covered by enemy fire. and was no longer obliged to suffer the hand­ Above all, heavy rain on the salt flats, which to-mouth existence experienced at Agheila and stretch for over 40 miles south from Ras Agedir Buerat. The bulk of his supplies continued to (on the Tunisian frontier), rendered going off the come from Bizerta and Tunis and a determined main road virtually impossible. These conside­ effort made to increase the tonnage off-loaded rations, coupled with the delay imposed by our at these ports met with some success, in spite construction of a causeway across the salt flats of sea and air attacks on his shipping and the and the fact that the enemy had strong rear- constant bombing of the ports. Supplementary to guards of armour east and south of Ben Gardane the shipping plying between southern Italy (and and guarding his southern flank, made the con­ Sicily) and the northern Tunisian ports, the enemy ditions for an enemy delaying action more fa­ was using air transport on a large scale ; 50 to vourable than at any time since the Buerat with­ 75 transport aircraft, chiefly JU.52s, were arriv­ drawal. ing in the Tunis area daily and, in addition, During this time, moreover, bad weather se­ about five ME.323s (six-engined transport air­ riously restricted our air operations in Tunisia. craft). Mention has already been made of the small-scale Photographic reconnaissance revealed that but effective attacks of R.A.F. fighter-bombers against the enemy's coastal shipping from 25th coastal shipping to Sousse and Sfax had greatly January to 4th February; during the next eight diminished and supplies were sent overland to the days escorted fighter-bombers were able to make forces at Mareth. The air attacks delivered by a total of approximately 150 effective sorties only N.W. African-based aircraft on this supply line in attacks on transport of the enemy's rear-guard are dealt with in Section 2. In February, two in the Ben Gardane area, -and this activity was trains per day, each with a lift of 300 tons, nor­ rendered practicable only by taking immediate mally ran from Tunis to Sousse and one of them advantage of breaks in the weather. continued to Gabes. The remainder of Rommel's supplies was brought up by road transport; with a line of communication not exceeding 300 miles, Vlllth Army approaches Mareth however, this presented no great difficulty. During the night 12/13th February, the enemy Until 3rd March there were no land operations withdrew a large proportion of his armoured on an appreciable scale in the Mareth area and units, which had been performing the duties of the respite before the Vlllth Army's inevitable rearguards, for service on the Western Front and attack enabled the units from Rommel's army the task of rearguard now devolved entirely upon which had been diverted to the Western Front to his depleted 15th Armoured Division. achieve some local successes and remove any In view of this weakening of his delaying for­ immediate threat to the rear of the Mareth Line. ces the enemy abandoned Ras Agedir and Taguel­ Meanwhile, work went on apace in strengthening mit, evacuated Ben Gardane, and by 16th Fe­ the Mareth defences where the enemy had decided bruary had withdrawn the main part of his 15th to stand and fight. Armoured Division to the area west of Medenine. The Mareth defensive zone stretched from the While these withdrawals were in progress at­ Gulf of Gabes to Fount Tatahouine, a distance of tacks were made by No. 239 Wing Kittyhawks, sixty miles, with outlying strong-holds further which had moved up to an advanced landing south. From Fount Tatahouine north to Toujane, ground at El Assa (28 miles west of Zuara), on the Matmatas Mountains, fortified and tunnelled, transport in the Ben Gardane and Medenine are_a^ BsfililP&d a strong line of defence. From Toujane, and these aircraft also carried $hr||JBh the village of Mareth to the sea, about trols over our forward \tk Smffes, was the heavily fortified zone which »\ _ <' iJ§ had given its name to the entire , ^ y enemy fighters at fortifications comprised not so muph' a 'Hine" as fiordj Touaz; spuTh^wes^f Mareth, and on 26th a series of fortifications in depth which included February" heaVy attacks' * were made simulta­ permanent anti-tank obstacles and concrete em­ neously on that landing ground and on the one placements. To the north the line was covered at Gabes. On that day, eight bombing attacks by a coast unsuitable for landings and to the south were delivered, comprising a total of 133 R.A.F. by rough and difficult country. The develop­ and S.A.A.F. Kittyhawk and 24 U.S. Warhawk ment of the existing Mareth defences was slow effective sorties, and escort was provided by 48 up to the end of January, as much cleaning out Kittyhawks. The Kittyhawk-bombers made in­ and patching up of the original works were ne­ creasing use of 40 lb. bombs on these operations, cessary, due to the half-hearted demolitions car­ a stick of six of these bombs being substituted ried out by the French in compliance with the for the usual 500 lb. bomb. Enemy fighters on 1940 arTnistice terms. In February, however, 26th February put up a determined resistance the work on the defences was speeded up. New and seven ME. 109s were shot down in combat, stretches of anti-tank ditch were dug near the three probably destroyed and five damaged ; on coast and in the sector of the line six miles south our side, nine Kittyhawks failed to return, one from Mareth, and many new infantry positions crash-landed at base and two were seriously da­ were dug and some minefields laid down, parti­ maged. The effect of these and the previous cularly in the vicinity of Arram, four miles south­ medium and heavy bomber attacks were appa­ east of Mareth. ' The enemy did not use the case­ rent on the following day when few aircraft were mates of the line extensively, but sited his guns located on the Gabes west landing ground. The in new positions between them, preferring to sa­ fighter-bomber effort was then switched against crifice the protection they afforded to increased the El Hamma landing ground, four attacks mobility. It was evident even at this stage that being delivered by escorted Kittyhawk and U.S. Rommel envisaged the likelihood of another with­ Warhawk fighter-bombers on 27th February. drawal and was not going to risk the possibility The air offensive against the enemy's advanced of having to leave his guns behind him. landing grounds succeeded in forcing him to evacuate or partly evacuate several of his ad­ Attacks on Enemy Landing Grounds vanced bases and greatly limited the activity of During the last week in February, while the the enemy's fighter force. opposing armies were preparing for the renewal of the land fighting, heavy attacks were made Air Attacks on Mareth Line and Concentrations on the landing grounds immediately behind the Beginning in the third week in February, si­ Mareth defences, in order, primarily, to limit the multaneously with the attack on the enemy's enemy's fighter activity and ensure that the advanced landing grounds mentioned in the pre­ Western Desert Air Force continued to be master ceding paragraphs, the Western Desert Air Force of the air over the battlefield. began its attacks on the Mareth positions and The enemy's principal forward air base on the transport in their vicinity and rear. The night Eastern Front was the Gabes west landing attacks were carried out by Allied light bombers ground; accordingly, this became the nightly ob­ and the day attacks by fighter-bombers. jective of the Middle East long-range bomber The air offensive against the Mareth Line and force. The attacks previously delivered by N.W. vehicles in the battle area was opened on the African-based aircraft are mentioned on page 32. night 23/24th February with attacks by 26 Bos­ in Section 2. Fresh crews were available for the tons and fifteen Baltimores of No. 3 S.A.A.F. Wing Halifaxes and No. 462 R.A.A.F. Squadron now and seventeen U.S. Mitchells and on the following added weight to the Wellington attacks. The two nights a total of 93 effective sorties by Allied attacks on Gabes west landing ground began on light bombers was made against the same targets. the night 23/24th February and continued for the On each occasion fires were caused and in several following three nights; in all, 21 Halifax and 64 instances these were accompanied by explosions. Wellington effective sorties were carried out and, The biggest fighter-bomber effort during the in addition to attacks on the landing ground, tar­ week against these objectives was made on 25th gets in the town were also bombed. Bombs rang­ February when two attacks were made on enemy ing from 4,000 to 250 lbs. each were dropped on transport vehicles and armoured cars in the dispersed aircraft, runways and administrative Gabes and Mareth areas. Until the beginning of buildings and on each of the four nights fires and March, however, the fighter-bomber attacks explosions were caused. The enemy protected against enemy positions and transport were sub­ the landing ground by extremely accurate anti­ ordinate to their attacks on the enemy's advanced aircraft fire but only one Wellington was shot landing grounds. down in the course of these operations. On 1st and 2nd March, considerable road mo­ On three occasions the night raids on Gabes vement was reported in the rear of the Mareth west landing ground were followed up on the Line by reconnaissance aircraft of No. 1437 succeeeding mornings by fighter-bomber attacks Flight. It was evident that reinforcements and — a practice which had proved effective against supplies were moving up to the Mareth defences the Daba landing grounds during the previous in preparation for an enemy attack and, in par­ October. The Allied fighter-bombers also attacked ticular, the 21st Armoured Division was in pro­

15 N a 680 s<3 uadron kept an eve cess of leaving the grounds. Front. On these two days, Kittyhavvk-Hbmters" afta' y , R.A.F. and S.A.A.F. fighter- ed enemy vehicles, particularly on the road be­ bombers attacked a group of large transport ve­ tween Gabes and El Hamma, and on the night hicles dispersed west of Toujane, and Spitfires 2nd/3rd March attacks were made on dispersed carried out offensive patrols to cover the Kitty­ enemy transport vehicles in the Mareth and Gabes hawk-bombers and swept the Gabes and Medenine areas by 20 Wellingtons and five Halifaxes. areas, in the course of which two fighters were 57 tons of bombs were dropped which burst across lost. For the greater part of the day, however, vehicles and tents and close to tanks, causing sand storms prevented offensive operations. The eight fires and several explosions. bad weather continued during the night, causing two Hurricanes of No. 73 Squadron sent out to Rommel Prepares to Hit Back make independent night reconnaissances*of the Sfax area to return to base with their mission In February the enemy, as related in Section 2, unfulfilled. had scored several striking successes in attacks against Sbeitla and Gafsa in the central sector of Rommel's Abortive Attack the Tunisian battlefield, and had also launched an offensive in the north; his third stroke was in­ On the morning of 6th March, Rommel at­ tended to cripple the VHIth Army before it was tempted to hit back at the Vlllth Army. Enemy ready to launch its assault on the Mareth de­ forces which had achieved success on the Western fences. Front now determined to try their luck against our yeteran desert forces. The enemy attacked On 3rd March, a small scale attack, supported in three columns: the 15th Armoured Division, by 30 tanks, was made from the enemy's strong­ 90th Light and the Italian Spezia Divisions ad­ hold of Arram, south-east of Mareth. This was vanced south-east from Mareth; the 21st Armour­ merely a feint, however, and the attacking forces ed Division came througn the Toujane defile and withdrew the same night. advanced eastwards to Metameur; and the 10th During the day, Kittyhawk-bombers, escorted Armoured Division passed through the Hallouf by Kittyhawks and Spitfires, carried out 77 ef­ defile and approached the predominating height fective sorties. The principal attacks of the of Point 270, two and a half miles north-west of fighter-bombers were directed against eight hun­ Metameur. Meanwhile, a reconnaissance group, dred vehicles reported by tactical reconnaissance reinforced by 20 tanks, guarded the enemy's aircraft to be moving southwards between Gabes southern flank. and Matmata: hits were scored on vehicles and many were also machine-gunned. Increased ene­ The northern column made three attacks during my air opposition was encountered, but our air­ the day in the area of the Abdulla feature (high craft had the better of the exchanges. Kitty­ ground eight miles north-west of Metameur). Two hawk-bombers shot down two ME.109s and da­ of these attacks in the afternoon met with slight maged three others and Spitfires and Kittyhawks, initial success but later our land forces counter­ on patrol over the Gabes area, destroyed one ene­ attacked successfully. The 21st Armoured Divi­ my fighter and damaged two more. As a result sion tried to attack twice during the day some of the day's operations we lost one Kittyhawk. miles north-west of Metameur but failed, and the That night, five Halifaxes and 28 Wellingtons 10th Armoured Division's attacks on Point 270 bombed enemy vehicles and troops which were were equally unavailing. Our massive concent­ massed in the Mareth area. Hits were scored ration of field, medium and anti-tank guns sited on vehicles and tents and buildings in Mareth along the high ground north-west of Medenine village and four of the medium bombers also made effectively barred the enemy's passage and the low-level machine-gun attacks on vehicles and Allied fighter-bomber attacks mentioned below searchlight positions. added to the destruction wrought by our gun­ ners. By nightfall the enemy had had enough There were now indications that the enemy and the next day his withdrawal was in full intended to attack our positions in strength and swing. Over fifty tanks were left abandoned on on 4th March more than 100 Kittyhawk and the field of battle and these were blown up by Warhawk fighter-bombers attacked vehicles our sappers. "Auf zum Angriff! Sprit ist da!" moving up to the battle area. The principal (Forward to the attack! Petrol has arrived!) attacks were made in the Bardj Touaz and Hal­ proved to be a disastrous war cry. As in his louf areas but targets were classed as "poor." abortive offensive of the previous September, One formation of U.S. Warhawks which was. at­ Rommel once again under-estimated the power tacked by ME. 109s succeeded in shooting down and precision of our artillery, with the same la­ one of. the German fighters and damaging two mentable consequences to his armoured forces. more. Covering sweeps were provided by Spit­ In spite of bad weather, six escorted Allied fires, and in combat with enemy fighters, No. 92 fighter-bomber attacks, mostly at three-squadron Squadron shot down two ME.109s without loss. strength, were made against the enemy columns Meanwhile, reconnaissance of enemy disposi­ approaching Medenine from the west. In parti­ tions and rail and road movements were made cular, a group of tanks with refuelling vehicles by No. 40 S.A.A.F. Squadron and No. 1437 Flight and a transport column were effectively bombed and fires were started amongst the Vehicles-other evidence and "Spitfires had one engagement only, hits were scored on a tank carrier and gun posi­ as a result of which one ME.109 was destroyed. tions. Several formations of Kittyhawk-bombers, Rommel's last full scale attack on the Vlllth however, were unable to locate targets owing to Army had proved an utter fiasco; it was the bad visibility and low clouds. gambler's last big throw to recoup his losses. The enemy's offensive was not preceded by air attacks on our landing grounds and supply lines, The R.A.F. Aids the Fighting French but the assault itself was supported by JU.87s, ME.109 and FW.190 fighter-bombers and ME.210s Although the enemy was now obliged to await employed as bombers. A number of attacks were the inevitable assault of the Vinth Army, he made on our forward troops and one on an ad­ made one more attempt at offensive action, vanced landing ground, but little damage was re­ but this time on a limited scale. On 10th March, ported. This was the first appearance of FW.190s light armoured units of two enemy reconnaissance and ME.210s in southern Tunisia and they had groups attacked positions held by the Fighting apparently been transferred to the area especially French at Ksar Rhilane, 50 miles south-west of for this operation. When the Axis land attack Medenine. Our holding of the high ground in that petered out the enemy air effort was reduced and area was of great strategic importance as it the FW.190s and ME.210s returned presumably enabled us to deny the enemy observation to the to northern Tunisia and Sicily respectively. The south. FW.190s were not seen again in this sector until The Fighting French reported the position of the Vlllth Army launched its attack on the Ma­ the attacking force of armoured cars and other re th Line. vehicles and it was decided that these constituted suitable targets for the Hurricane IIDs. Ac­ Offensive sweeps over the forward area, for the cordingly, after their period of enforced in­ purpose of covering our fighter-bomber opera­ activity, the "tank-busters" of No. 6 Squadron tions, were made by 75 Spitfires. There were se­ again went into action and scored a decisive veral engagements with enemy aircraft, which success. Thirteen Hurricane IIDs, escorted by were attempting to support their advancing land Spitfires, located a group of 20 enemy vehicles forces. In all, one ME.109 and one JTJ.87 were and this was attacked for 30 minutes: nine to shot down, one JU.87 was probably destroyed, twelve vehicles were set on fire and others were and six other aircraft were damaged. We lost damaged. A second formation of six escorted Hur­ one Spitfire. ricane IIDs succeeded in scoring direct hits on a Bad weather over the battle area prevented Mark IV tank and an armoured car. In the after­ our fighter-bombers locating suitable targets on noon, another target consisting of vehicles and the following morning, 7th March, but in the aft­ guns was reported by the Fighting French and ernoon enemy columns still retiring in the hills two squadrons of Kittyhawk-bombers were de­ near Hallouf and Toujane, after their unhappy spatched to make an attack. Fifteen vehicles, experience at the hands of our gunners, were suc­ including an armoured car, an ammunition truck cessfully attacked, although low cloud rendered and a petrol bowser, were destroyed and about these targets extremely difficult to find. twelve more vehicles were damaged. Spitfires, which carried out over 100 sorties in The Spitfires escorting the first Hurricane patrols over the battle area, had a very success­ formation over the target shot down an ME.109 ful day. One formation of 20 ME.109s was forced which attempted interception, and Kittyhawk­ to jettison its bombs, and six ME.109s and two bombers prevented a heavily escorted formation MC.202s were shot down, three ME.109s and two of JU.87s from bombing our Ksar Rhilane posi­ MC.202s were probably destroyed and seven ME. tions and shot down two ME.109s and one JU.87 109s, two MC.202s and one JU.88 were damaged and damaged one ME.109. At dusk another JU.87 without loss to our fighters. In other engage­ formation, which was approaching Ksar Rhi­ ments, two enemy aircraft were destroyed, one lane, turned tail on sighting a Spitfire patrol, probably destroyed, and two others damaged; and made for home. in addition, during an attack on our forward land­ As night fell, the enemy began to withdraw ing grounds a ME.109 was hit by our anti-aircraft from the Ksar Rhilane area; his attack had fail­ fire and was subsequently shot down by a Spit­ ed. The R.A.F. losses for the day were six Kitty- fire. hawks, but the wrecked vehicles and ten guns The next day, 8th March, Kittyhawk-bombers abandoned by the enemy paid tribute to the help continued their attacks on enemy transport col­ given to the defending land forces. For a brief umns still withdrawing into -the hills near Hal­ spell the days at Bir Hakim had been lived anew, louf: bombs burst near a group of tanks and but this time with a happier outcome. transport vehicles were machine-gunned, but tar­ gets were now "thinning-out." One fighter-bomb­ Air Attacks on Enemy Positions er formation attacked by ME.109s succeeded in As the time for the Vlllth Army's assault drew shooting down one of the enemy fighters. near, the Allied air forces renewed their bombing Spitfires flew over 100 sorties on offensive attacks on the enemy's Mareth positions. The patrols. Following their mauling on the previous attacks re-commenced on 11th March when day, however, enemy aircraft were not greatly in eighteen S.A.A.F. Bostons, escorted by Kitty­ hawks and with a Spitfire top cover, bombt of the most successful February efforts was the enemy positions at Arram, the strong-point four attack on the 15th, when two formations of U.S. miles south-east of Mareth. For the next three Liberators attacked shipping in Naples harbour days, S.A.A.F. Bostons and Baltimores and U.S. at dusk, carrying out fifteen effective sorties; Mitchells took turns in delivering the attacks on The target area was partly covered by low cloud the fortifications in the Mareth area, carrying which prevented the complete observation of out 49 effective sorties against these objectives. damage caused, but two merchant vessels along­ On 16th March, the day preceding the Vlllth side the Massaniello Mole were seen to be hit by Army's first tentative night attack against the thousand pound bombs. Photographs taken two Mareth Line, the air attacks were on a somewhat days later revealed that the stern of one of the increased scale, seventeen Baltimores, escorted by vessels was submerged and the other had ap­ Kittyhawks and eighteen U.S. Mitchells, escorted parently sunk. The Liberators proved more than by U.S. Warhawks, attacking enemy positions at a match for attacking enemy fighters: three Arram and Mareth respectively. As a result of ME.109s and two MC.202s were shot down and six the light bomber attacks on the five days more fighters were probably destroyed. One Li­ mentioned, hits were scored on pillboxes and gun berator failed to return and another was damag­ positions, and several fires were caused. These ed by anti-aircraft fire. In all, the Ninth U.S.A. attacks, however, merely foreshadowed the A.F heavy bombers carried out 48 effective sorties supreme air effort which was to be made in the against Naples harbour during February and following week when the Vlllth Army resumed dropped 116 tons of bombs. its offensive. Attacks on Naples harbour were continued While the Allied bombers were carrying out during March by the Ninth U.S.A.A.F. Liberators these attacks, enemy air opposition was ne­ which made 98 effective sorties; Liberators of gligible. On one occasion only, the 13th March, No. 178 Squadron also attacked this objective on were enemy fighters brought to combat. On that three nights, carrying out eleven effective sorties. day 36 U.S. Warhawks, with top cover provided As in the previous two months adverse weather by twelve Spitfires, carried out an offensive conditions considerably limited the scope and sweep over the Gabes area. A formation of about scale of our air attacks: the attacks succeeded, 30.ME.109s and MC.202s was encountered north­ nevertheless, in causing considerable damage to west of Gabes and in the ensuing fight the War- port installations and shipping in the harbour. hawks shot down four ME. 109s, probably de­ Owing to the success of our sea and air attacks stroyed another and damaged four more; the (from Malta and N.W. Africa) on his shipping, Spitfires added to the bag by destroying one however, the enemy was dissuaded from the ME.109 and damaging two others. Four U.S. attempt to provision Bizerta and Tunis direct Warhawks were shot down but the pilot of one from Naples. Increasing use was made of Sicily aircraft was saved. For the next three days as an advanced dumping base and ships were run enemy fighters avoided combat. under cover of darkness from Palermo and other Sicilian harbours to the northern Tunisian ports. Attacks on Italian and Sicilian Bases The supplying of Sicily entailed a vastly increas­ ed rail and road traffic down the Italian coast While the enemy was engaged in building up and across the train ferry at Messina. The valu­ his Tunisian supplies the ports of on-loading in able work done by Malta-based aircraft in at­ Italy and Sicily were attacked by the Middle tacking these rail and road communications and East Air Forces. the Messina terminus is dealt with elsewhere in Attacks on Naples by Liberators of the Ninth the "Review." U.S.A.A.F. and No. 160 Squadron had been fairly frequent during the last month of 1942, but in As the Sicilian ports and railway terminus at January of the next year operations against this Messina acquired increasing importance, the at­ port were limited owing to adverse weather con­ tacks of the Middle East-based bombers, like ditions. During the month one effective attack those of the sister force in N.W. Africa, increas­ only was made by Middle East-based aircraft, ed in scale and frequency. namely on 11th January when eight U.S. Libera­ During January, Liberators of the Ninth tors dropped 40 X 1,000 lb. bombs on the harbour U.S.A.A.F. carried out 22 effective sorties against installations. Observation of results was obscured Palermo and an equal number against Messina. by low cloud but one fire was seen to break out in At this stage, however, the attacks usually re­ the town. The Liberators succeeded in shooting presented the bombing of alternative targets down one of the ME.109s which attacked them, when bad flying weather prevented aircraft but they themselves lost two aircraft. reaching Naples. An examination of photographs Low cloud over the Naples area continued to revealed that at Messina damage was done to hamper the heavy bomber effort in February. On quays and railway tracks and at least two ferry several occasions U.S. Liberators were unable to boats were immobilised. locate shipping in the harbour through bad In February, the majority of the Ninth U.S.A. visibility and an alternative target such as qro­ A.F. Sicilian attacks were centred on Messina tone (near the entrance to the Gulf of Taranto) while R.A.F. Halifaxes and Wellingtons made was attacked, or bombs were brought back. One Palermo their main objective. As in the previous Sousse under attack by U.S. Liberators in January, 1943. month, hpwever, adverse weather conditions pre- naval jetties and north of the harbour, including cluded the carrying out of an intensive air of- the dry dock area. The smoke screen, which was fensive. The heaviest attack on Palermo during now a standard protective measure for the Me­ February was made by six Halifaxes and 30 diterranean Axis ports, prevented one Welling- Wellingtons on the night 22/23rd: one explosion ton only from locating the target and this aircraft and eight fires were caused in the harbour and attacked four ships outside the harbour. The town areas and bursts were observed across the most effective attacks on Messina during the month were made by two formal creased responsibilities, which included the air American Liberators, comprising eighteen air­ defence of Egypt and the protection of sea and craft, on the 23rd. Hits were scored on the train land communications from Tripoli (Levant) to ferry terminus and on the railway sidings to the Tripoli (Tripolitania). The formation controlled south of the harbour and many fires and ex­ four groups located at Tripoli, Benina, Alexan­ plosions were caused. In addition, a bomb burst dria and Haifa. on, or very near, a vessel in the harbour. In the It is not purposed in this account to give de­ course of the month, Messina was attacked by tails of the defensive activities which rendered the 45 Liberators and six Halifaxes and Palermo by continuance of our ground and air offensive pos­ eighteen Halifaxes, 23 Liberators and 73 Well­ sible, but the scale of effort of Middle East-based ingtons. fighters engaged in the protection of our Medi­ terranean convoys is indicated by the following, During March, there were four attacks on figures. At no time for the period 29/30th De­ Palermo by R.A.F. Cyrenaican-based aircraft, cember, 1942, to 27th March, 1943, were the fort­ comprising sixteen Halifax and 86 Wellington nightly totals of sorties flown on this activity effective sorties. These attacks, which took place fewer than 785 and during one fortnight, 17th to in the first half of the month, undoubtedly caused 30th January, the 1,000 mark was exceeded. In all, considerable damage to port installations and during the three months mentioned, 5,500 sorties shipping in harbour, but low cloud prevented the were flown on shipping protection. In addition', full observation of results. During the latter units operating under A.H.Q., Air Defences part of the month the bombing of Palermo was Eastern Mediterranean flew constant sorties in continued by Fortresses based in N.W. Africa: defence of our supply ports and land lines of com­ the havoc wrought by these aircraft is indicated munication. in Section III. Messina was attacked on five occasions by Cyrenaican-based aircraft, seven Meanwhile, No. 201 Group units, in co-opera­ effective sorties being made by R.A.F. Liberators tion with the Royal Navy, kept a constant watch and 46 by American Liberators. The heaviest for enemy shipping and submarines. As the enemy raids were made on the 24th, when two attacks was driven further and further westwards, how­ were made by nineteen U.S. and six R.A.F. ever, the main stream of Axis shipping came Liberators respectively. Photographs taken dur­ more and more within the orbits of squadrons ing these attacks showed hits in the vicinity of based in Malta and North-west Africa and the the train ferry terminus, and it- appeared that offensive sorties of Middle East-based aircraft the western end of the building housing the decreased. During the first three months of the operating gear was hit and one of the train fer­ year, as a result of 129 effective sorties, one ries damaged. Other hits were scored on naval medium-sized M/V was sunk, one probably sunk installations near the U-boat base, where an oil and four damaged; six other M/Vs were attacked fire was started, and on quays, warehouses and with unobserved results. Two barges and one railway sidings. schooner were destroyed, one schooner was da­ maged and fourteen barges and schooners were These air attacks on the main Italian and attacked with unobserved results. In addition, Sicilian ports of on-loading during the first four attacks were made on enemy submarines, quarter of 1943 played an important part in but it was impossible to give an assessment of consistently hampering the Axis attempts to pro­ the damage caused. vision his Tunisian forces. Thus, during the first three months of 1943 the sea lanes from the Turkish to the Tunisian borders Air Protection of the VHIth Army's Supply Line were kept clear for our shipping; at no time was Early in March, A.H.Q., Egypt, was re-named the supply line of the VIHth Army and Allied air A.H.Q., Air Defences Eastern Mediterranean. The forces in danger of being cut by the enemy. latter title denoted more fully the formation's (Continued on page 23). Cagliari Harbour - 2&th Fe­ bruary, 1943. Two M/Vi­ be fore attack; right centre and bottom left.

Both vessels on fire after bombing by B. 17/s.

SECTION 11. TUNIS!

The Great Armada building up of the 1st Army was at once initiated s ON 8th NOVEMBER., 1942, the peoples of the in the Bone area and the Tunisian border was United Nations who had recently been heartened crossed in the succeeding days. by the news of the Axis collapse at El Alamein The immediate implications of the North Afri­ were astounded to learn that British and Ameri­ can landings were obvious. The Axis forces can forces had landed at nodal points along the fleeing westwards across Cyrenaica were now 400 miles stretch of coast from Casablanca to menaced by fresh troops who would presumably Algiers. advance and cut off their line of retreat; then The first convoy for North, Africa left the with the linking of the vnith Army and the United Kingdom more than a fortnight before North African Expeditionary Force and the con­ the landings were effected, the escorting British sequent occupation of the entire southern shore and American naval vessels comprising 34 large of the Mediterranean, Allied mastery of that sea warships, 102 destroyers and 45 miscellaneous would be assured. warships. The total number of ships involved in The importance of this mastery to the United carrying out this greatest amphibious operation Nations' cause can hardly be exaggerated. Apart in military history was put at 500 transport ves­ from the fact that southern Europe becomes im­ sels and 350 warships. mediately vulnerable to attack, a direct sea route The task of providing air cover for the convoys is opened from America and Great Britain to the was a tremendous one. The danger of enemy sub­ Indian Ocean. Thus the transit of vital supplies marines converging in thfe path of the convoys to Russia and India can be immeasurably acceler­ was ever present and to counter this it was ne­ ated. The way is opened for an offensive cessary to provide air escort for each convoy against the tenuous power of Japan in east Asia, during the hours of daylight. Meanwhile, anti­ and the Axis plan for the coalescence of the Nazi- submarine patrols in the Bay of Biscay were Fascist land bloc with the Japanese zone of con­ maintained at maximum intensity and Iceland- quest becomes impossible of fulfillment. based aircraft continued their anti-submarine activity and in addition watched for a possible Axis Reactions break-out of enemy warships from the Norwegian The enemy's answer to the Anglo-American ports. Coastal command, strengthened by Hali­ landings was to occupy Vichy France and Corsica faxes from Bomber Command and Liberators and rush troops by air and sea to Tunisia. Within from the Eighth U.S.A.A.F., was able to meet a few days of our landings the enemy took pos­ its heavy commitments and carrier-borne fighter session of the ports of Bizerta and Tunis and aircraft provided protection for the convoys en the airfields in their vicinity. By 16th Novem­ route. ber the enemy had already approximately 5,000 When the enemy realised that Dakar was not troops available to provide a protective screen for the Allied objective after all, U-boat opposition his Tunisian bridgehead, and protective detach­ increased in intensity. By that time, however, ments were soon pushed out to the approaches to our coastal aircraft were operating from the these ports to a radius of 25 to 30 miles. In the course of the next five days, moreover, the ports Oran and Algiers areas. Some indication of how and airfields at Sousse Sfax and Gabes were oc­ the menace of the U-boats was countered by the } cupied and the Axis forces in Tunisia then num­ the Allied air forces is shown by the fact that bered about 12,000. during the period 23rd October to 30th November, 1942, aircraft from the British Isles made 29 It became increasingly evident that the rein­ U-boat sightings, resulting in sixteen attacks, and forcing of the Axis forces in Tunisia was consi­ those from Gibraltar and North-west Africa sight­ dered of supreme importance and the transmis­ ed 113 of which 60 were attacked. sion of supplies to Rommel's retreating army was of secondary importance. On the whole, Vichy French opposition to the Anglo-American forces was not formidable. Al­ Meanwhile, practically the entire German Me­ giers capitulated first and port installations were diterranean bomber force had been concentrated in Sicily and Sardinia and fighters and dive-bom­ found intact; moreover, the authorities readily bers were established at El Aouina airfield (Tu­ co-operated and shore labour was soon available. nis). Italian reinforcements of fighters and tor­ Within twelve hours of the capitulation R.A.F. pedo-bombers were also sent to Sardinia and some fighters were operating from the Maison Blanche fighters joined the German contingent at Tunis. and Blida airfields. Stronger resistance, parti­ cularly naval, was encountered in the Oran and The attacks on the Axis airfields and ports Casablanca sectors, but in a short time these too which were immediateay delivered by Malta- had been invested. based aircraft are considered elsewhere in the Almost immediately afterwards, Bougie, Phil­ "Review." lipeville and Bone in eastern Algeria were oc­ In spite of our sea and air attacks on his cupied by our seaborne and parachute troops shipping and the bombing of his ports, the without any opposition being encountered. Th«J enemy, principally by the extensive use of air

2.'5 ofmidable force in back on the perimeter which he held before our the northern sector and occupied the entire drive towards Tunis and Bizerta began. In ad­ eastern coast. dition, the enemy reinforced his troops in the southern sector and began offensive patrolling The November Advance towards Faid and Sbeitla. "If it were done when 'tis done, then t'were During the first week in December the air sup­ well it were done quickly." Acting on this belief port to our ground forces varied from attacks the Allied ground forces pressed on as quickly delivered by U.S. Lightnings on enemy tanks in as possible towards Bizerta, Tunis and Sfax. the Djedeida area to the bombing of enemy forces On 18th November came the first clash be­ south of Gabes by U.S. Mitchells. tween advanced columns of the 1st Army and The following week low cloud and heavy rain German units. Considerable losses were inflict­ hampered the air operations of both sides. Never­ ed on the enemy's infantry and eleven tanks theless, an effort was made to give support to our knocked out. Our losses were comparatively ground forces withstanding the enemy attacks in slight. the Medjez el Bab area; in particular, Spitfires On the 24th November, Allied forces were carried out effective straffing attacks against advancing into Tunisia along three lines; one enemy tanks and transport vehicles. In the south along the coast road towards Bizerta, one to­ the attacks on enemy vehicle concentrations and wards Tunis, and one in the direction of Sfax. gun emplacements around Gabes were continued At that date, Allied troops were 30 miles from by U.S. Marauders and U.S. Lightnings. Bizerta, 35 miles from Tunis and 120 miles from Sfax. The situation appeared satisfactory. Lull in the Ground Fighting Early Air Effort During the last fortnight in 1942 the ground fighting in Tunisia was on a small scale. Both A formidable air force composed of British sides took advantage of this respite to concentrate and American squadrons was quickly established on building up supplies. In the north, the enemy, in N.W. Africa under the joint control of the having safeguarded his bridgehead, returned to Eastern Air Command and the Twelfth U.S.A.A.F. the defensive; in the centre and south, enemy Aid to our advancing ground forces was pro­ protective patrols were extended westwards in vided principally by fighter-bombers, while order to deepen the defences covering the Sousse ­ Allied fighters carried out patrols over the for­ Sfax - Gabes line of communication. By the end ward area and our supply ports. of the year, the constant heavy rains had caused In order to hamper the enemy's air effort de­ widespread floods which permitted limited patrol termined attacks were made on his Tunisian activity only. airfields. Typical of the bomber effort in No­ In spite of the bad flying weather and bogging vember, 1942, were the attacks delivered on the of landing grounds, air attacks on the enemy's nights 27/28th and 28/29th. On the former lines of communication and encampments -in­ night 33 U.S. heavy bombers attacked Sidi Ahmed creased as the R.A.F. and U.S.A.A.F. squadrons (Bizerta) airfield, fifteen Bisleys attacked El grew in strength. The following examples illus­ Aouina (Tunis) airfield, and twelve other air­ trate the attacks on the enemy's rail communi­ craft bombed landing grounds at Gabes. The cations, which relieved the JlfaZfa-based Beau- following night. the attack on Sidi Ahmed was fighters and long-range Hurricanes of part of this renewed by seventeen Bisleys. activity. On 19th December, five Mitchells and six Marauders, escorted by six Lightnings, The December Set-back all of the Twelfth U.S.A.A.F., attacked the rail­ In the early days of December, 1942, it became way sidings at Sousse; in spite of the intense flak evident that the Allied attempt to hustle the encountered direct hits were scored on a goods enemy out of Tunis and Bizerta before adequate train and station buildings. At dusk on the same Axis supplies and reinforcements arrived had day light bombers, escorted by Spitfires, attacked failed. Within three weeks of the North African the sidings at Sfax. On 23rd December, U.S. landings the enemy had built up a Tunisian Warhawks shot up a train between Sousse and force strong enough to turn from defence to Kairouan and three days later destroyed two loco­ counter-attack. In achieving this he was cer­ motives during an offensive sweep in the north­ tainly favoured by possessing short lines of ern sector. communication to Italy and Sicily and a large During the luil in the ground fighting, enemy force of transport aircraft, but quick decisions transport vehicles were both bombed and straf­ and rapid improvisation also played their part. fed. Two of the most effective bombing attacks On 10th December, the enemy attacked our were delivered on the afternoon of the 17th and positions at Medjez el Bab, the gateway to the in the brilliant moonlight of the night 28/29th Tunisian tip. The following day our troops were respectively. On the former occasion, twelve U.S. compelled to withdraw along the line of the escorted Bostons successfully bombed vehicle Mejerda valley, although the town itself still re­ concentrations at Massicault (south of Tunis) mained in our hands. The enemy thus succeed­ and on the latter, Bisleys and Blenheims patroll­ ed in widening his Tunisian bridgehead and wa^ ing the roads from Tunis to Massicault and Pont du Fahs attacked vehicles at various points and The heaviest attacks were set on fire a considerable number of trucks. El Aouina (Tunis) airfield. On the 1st Decein-" Owing to the dispersal of vehicles, however, ber, attacks were made by six escorted Bostons fighter and fighter-bomber attacks were more and thirteen escorted Fortresses of the Twelfth effective than those of the bombers. On 24th De­ U.S.A.A.F.; these were followed up at dawn on the cember, six U.S. Warhawks reported the destruc­ following day by six Bisley and three hours later tion of 60 vehicles out of a group of about 100 by nine U.S. escorted Bostons. Photographs taken near La Fauconnerie and of another six south of after these raids showed that apart from fresh Fondouk el Aouareb (south-west of Kairouan). damage to hangars at least 30 of the 60 aircraft On 28th December, eight U.S. Lightnings, in spite photographed on the ground were damaged. Later of an encounter with ten ME.109s, destroyed in the morning twelve U.S. escorted Marauders eight vehicles south-west of Tunis and U.S. War- took up the attack: fires were started near the hawks destroyed another ten during an offensive hangars and of the 50 aircraft observed on the 'reconnaissance north-east of Kairouan. landing area about fifteen were destroyed. Dur­ ing the same week a night attack was delivered Fighter Engagements by sixteen Bisleys, but a ground haze prevented The Allied fighters' tasks in December, apart the observation of results. Additional attacks on from fighter-bomber and straffing attacks, in­ El Aouina airfield during the month included that cluded the defence of our Algerian supply ports on the 16th by seven U.S. Marauders, when bombs and back areas, shipping cover, escort to our day were dropped on dispersed aircraft. bombers and interception of enemy bomber Determined attacks were also made on 8idi attacks. In the latter activity, particularly, our Ahmed (Biserta) airfield. On the evening of 2nd aircraft were usually outnumbered by the enemy December an attack was deJivered by U.S. Fort­ escorting fighters. During the month, however, resses and this was followed up on the night the fighter activity on either side was limited 3rd/4th by Bisleys which made both bomb­ through bad weather and landing grounds were ing and machine-gun attacks. Other effective unserviceable from time to time owing to flood­ attacks in December included that made by eight ing. U.S. Mitchells, escorted by U.S. Lightnings, on The following are typical of the December com­ the 8th. bats. On the morning of the 2nd, twelve U.S. In addition to the bombing of the Axis' main Lightnings sweeping the Mateur-Djedeida area air bases at Tunis and Bizerta, attacks were also encountered eight JU.88s escorted by ME.109s. made on the enemy's landing grounds at Sidi The JU.88s were forced to jettison their bombs Tabet ('west of El Aouina) and Mateur. in enemy territory and one JU.88 was destroyed, Destruction of Enemy Supplies one ME.109 probably destroyed and two aircraft damaged; two Lightnings only suffered damage. The Tunisian campaign was above all a war of A revealing encounter took place on 12th Decem­ supplies: the denial of them to the enemy in­ ber between a U.S. Lightning and a FW.190. The volved the liquidation of Von Arnim's and Rom­ latter confidently attempted to out-climb the Ame­ mel's aflmy alike. Accordingly, the shipping rican fighter, but was beaten at his own game. strikes and attacks on the enemy's ports by The two aircraft engaged at 12,000 feet and then AfaWa-based aircraft were now paralleled by in­ the FW. 190 resumed its climb. The Lightning tensive attacks from N.W. Africa. followed and at 19,000 feet pulled up under the From the successful attacks on shipping may German fighter and shot it down. On 28th De­ be cited that made by seven Swordfish at Ferry­ cember, ten Spitfires engaged six JU.88s, escort­ viUe on 13/14th December. While four Bisleya ed by six ME.109s, south-west of Pont du Fahs. carried out a diversionary bombing attack on the In the ensuing combats two JU.88s and one harbour installations, the Swordfish made torpedo ME.109 were destroyed and one bomber and one attacks on shipping: one ship, believed to be a fighter damaged; one of our Spitfires failed to tanker, was hit and burst into flames and an­ return. Later in the afternoon, fifteen ME. 109s other ship was damaged. were sighted over our Souk el Arba aerodrome; In general, throughout December, Malta-based on this occasion the enemy had the better of the bombers concentrated on night attacks against exchanges and two Spitfires were destroyed. the enemy's Tunisian ports and the N.W. African Throughout the month the work of the night squadrons were chiefly engaged in day bombing. Beaufighters, operating from Souk el Arba, was The heavy day attacks on the port of Tunis in outstanding and, in particular, their "bag" in­ December began on the 6th, when fifteen U.S. cluded a number of HE. 11 Is shot down over the Fortresses, escorted by U.S. Lightnings, attacked Bone area. shipping in the harbour. The attacks were con­ tinued on the 13th and 14th by seventeen and Attacks an Enemy Airfields fifteen escorted U.S. Fortresses and on the 15th During December the Allied air forces based in by seventeen U.S. Liberators. An interesting feature of an attack made on 16th December N.W. Africa intensified their attacks on the was the reporting by Spitfires escorting American enemy's Tunisian airfields in order to hamper his bombers that twenty fires were burning in the attempts to secure air supremacy in the northern dock area before the bombers attacked the target sector.

25 ti-.s ' W 27 Malta- battant troops; his tank strength was put at 160­ based WWffigtbris on the previous night. 190 German tanks, of which about 140 were During the second half of December, N.W. Afri­ serviceable, and 60 Italian tanks, whose service­ can-based boimbers made night attacks on Tunis ability was an unknpwn factor. in addition to the usual day bombing. On the Opposing the enemy's land forces in the north­ night 13/14th, for example, Bisleys made an ef­ ern sector, roughly in the area north of the line fective attack and on the following night Bisieys east to west through Pont du Fahs, was the Bri­ and U.S. Fortresses resumed the attack. tish 1st Army. The central sector (the area Many day attacks were also made against the north of the 8fax - Sbeitla road), and the south­ port of Bizerta during the month. On 2nd De­ ern sector (the area south of this line), were cember, U.S. Fortresses bombed the port installa­ held by the 2nd U.S. Corps and by four French tions and two days later U.S. Fortresses and Ma­ divisions. rauders made another attack ; on the latter occa­ The German forces were for the most part con­ sion hits with 500 lb. bombs were scored on mer­ centrated in the northern sector and the Italians chant vessels in the entrance to the docks. An were mainly in the central and southern sectors. effective low-level bombing attack was carried out The latter were soon to be reinforced, however, on the 6th by Bisleys, and one of the several fires by the 21st Armoured Division, withdrawn from caused in the docks area was described as "out­ Rommel's Army and non-mobile Italian units standing". During the second week in December, from Tripolitania. successful attacks were delivered by U.S. Fort­ The enemy's task was to secure the coastal ressses and Liberators on the 14th and by Libe­ plain against an Allied advance. To do this it rators on the following day. In the course of was necessary (a) to secure his positions in the the attack on the 15th, 60 x 1,000 lb. bombs were Mateur area; (o) to take Medjez el Bab; (c) to dropped in the target area and hits were scored seize the mountain range from Djebel Fkirine to on several ships. During the third week in De­ Pichon; and (d) to capture Sbeitla and Gafsa in cember U.S. Bostons took over the day bombing the south in order to safeguard the coastal route of Bizerta, and in an attack on the 19th many hits which was Rommel's main line of communication. were scored with 1,000 lb. bombs on ships in the How far the enemy succeeded in putting his harbour, including one on a light cruiser. The plan into effect will emerge in the following heaviest raid in the last week of the year was pages. made by eighteen escorted U.S. Fortresses on the 26th, when fires were started in the docks and By the beginning of 1943, also, the enemy's air probable damage was inflicted to vessels at the forces were in a position to make a maximum ef­ quays. Shortly afterwards, on the night 28/29th fort in Tunisia. It was estimated that the German December, Wellingtons made their debut under Air Force strength in Tunisia, southern Italy, Si­ the Eastern Air Command with an attack on the cily and Sardinia amounted to 610 aircraft, of Bizerta docks and goods station. which 225 were JU.88 bombers and 150 ME.109/ FW.190 fighters. Italian aircraft in the same In the latter part of December, also, Sousse and areas numbered about 560, including 250 fight­ Sfax, which had already been bombed by aircraft ers of various types. German serviceability based in Malta and Egypt, were attacked from was estimated at 55-60% and the Italian at 50%. the N.W. African end, in order to limit the sup­ plies reaching Rommel's retreating army. Thus, Serviceable aircraft figures for 5th January in on 27th December, the port of Sousse was attack­ respect of the Allied squadrons in N.W. Africa ed from all sides. In the morning fourteen Alge­ were :— R.A.F.:— 144 fighters, 20 Beaufighters, ria-based Fortresses bombed shipping and the 23 fighter-bombers, 11 light bombers, 20 medium docks; in the afternoon twelve Liberators from bombers, 30 G.R. aircraft, 3 P.R.U. aircraft. Egypt scored two direct hits on a vessel and Twelfth U&.A.A.F.:— 149 fighters, 22 light bom­ caused large fires in the area north-west of bers, 41 medium bombers, 35 heavy bombers, the harbour, and three MaZta-based Albacores 3 P/R aircraft, 23 transport aircraft. A combined bombed a group of barges; then during the night total of 524 serviceable aircraft. In the follow­ six Egypt-b&aed Liberators set on fire a motor- ing weeks reinforcing went on apace. vessel with 1,000 lb. bombs and started large fires ' Elsewhere in the Mediterranean zone there was on the quays. a vastly increased force at Malta, while the West­ ern Desert Air Force, with defence fighters and It is evident from the above accounts that the heavy and medium bombers in its rear, was fol­ December bomber activity against enemy supply lowing up the Vlllth Army. bases by N.W. African-based aircraft was inten­ sive; it remains to be emphasised that it was achieved despite adverse weather conditions. Spitfires Reinforced Early in January, 1943, the N.W. African Spit­ The Enemy's Strength and Intentions fire squadrons were reinforced. This strengthen­ In spite of the sea and air attacks on his ship­ ing of the fighter force coincided with increased ping and the blasting of his ports, the enemy suc­ enemy air activity and combats became frequent. ceeded in building up his Tunisian forces. By 1st In particular, the Spitfires did good work in in­ January, 1943, it was estimated thpt he had tercepting enemy aircraft attacking our shipping amassed 30,000 German and 14,500 Italian com­ in Bone harbour.

26 During the first half of January the average daily sorties of R.A.F. fighters exceeded the jUes 100 mark; thereafter, with the further strengthen­ Fthe ing of the fighter force this figure was soon Tencha "bridges (south of doubled. Sfax) by twelve escorted Marauders on the 12th; attacks by ten and six escorted Marauders on railway junctions near Sousse and Mahares res­ Air Attacks on Battlefield Targets pectively on the 14th; an attack on bridges From 1st to 17th January inclusive, while the across the Oued Akarit by eighteen escorted Ma­ ground activity was still on a small scale, the rauders on the 15th; and the bombing of the rail­ Allied air forces increased their attacks on trans­ way junction at Graiba by twelve Mitchells on port vehicles, rail communications and enemy the 17th. positions. These attacks inflicted local damage but were Attacks on enemy vehioles were not numerous not of sufficient intensity to cause a serious dis­ as these were not concentrated to any extent and location of the supply route to Rommel's forces were often concealed in woods or camouflaged in across the Tunisian frontier. fields. In the early days of January attacks were made on vehicles in the northern sector by Spit­ The Enemy's Attack in the Central Sector fires and Hurricanes, while U.S. light bombers On 18th January an enemy attack in some and fighter bombers straffed tanks at Fon­ strength, in which units of the 10th Armoured douk el Aouareb in the central sector. In the Division participated, was launched south-west following week U.S. Bostons, escorted by U.S. from Pont du Fahs. The enemy's aim was to Warhawks, turned their attention to the southern secure the range of mountains from Djebel Fki­ sector, where the enemy was building up his rine to Djebel Ousselat, which would deprive us armoured forces, and attacked tank concentra­ of positions from which to debouch on to the tions near Gabes. Meanwhile, Bisleys, operating coastal plain. A breach was made in our posi­ at night, patrolled the coastal road and bombed tions in the Oued el Kebir and the enemy's forces and machine-gunned enemy vehicles, particularly passed through. On 21st January the enemy between Tunis and Sfax. thrust in a southerly direction along the road to­ A number of attacks were made on enemy wards Pichon and, in spite of Allied opposition, by positions in all three sectors but on many oc­ the end of the day had advanced to the general casions bad weather caused the cancellation of line of Kairouan - Ousseltia - Sidi Amara. In the operations. On 6th January Hurricane-bom­ succeeding days our ground forces halted the bers, escorted by Spitfires, in support of our enemy's advance in the Ousseltia valley and re­ troops west of Mateur, succeeded in silencing gained local initiative. Axis forces, however, re­ enemy gun batteries and on the same day U.S. tained the major part of their gains — the range Bostons, escorted by U.S. Lightnings and U.S. of mountains .from Djebel Hannikat - Djebel Warhawks, attacked a camp near Kairouan- The Haifa - Djebel Bou Dabous and northwards, to­ following day U.S. Marauders, escorted by U.S. gether with part of Djebel Ousselat. Thus the po­ Lightnings, bombed barracks at Gabes in addi­ sition stood at the end of January. tion to the airfield there. Other camps attacked Air operations in support of our ground forces included the one at Kebili (65 miles west of Ga­ in the central sector were carried out by Spit­ bes) by U.S. Bostons on 10th January and on fires, Hurricane-bombers and Bisleys. Spitfires, the same day a U.S. Warhawk dropped a 500 1b. operating from Souk el Arba, made daily recon­ bomb plumb through the German Headquarters naissance of the battle area and passed back at Kairouan. targets for the Hurricane-bombers. Enemy troops and vehicles, in general, were Attacks on Lines of Communication not concentrated sufficiently to provide targets During the January lull in the ground fight­ for day bomber operations, but there was in­ ing air attacks by the Twelfth Air Force on the creased scope for fighter-bomber activity. On one enemy's land lines of communication were in­ occasion onily — the 21st January — day bombers tensified, particularly on railways and bridges were despatched to attack a group of tanks re­ in the central and southern sectors. On 4th ported near Pont du Fahs, but the eighteen U.S. January, eight escorted Mitchells attacked the escorted Mitchells briefed for the attack were railway yards at Kairouan and another eighteen unable to locate the tanks and bombed Pont du resumed the attacks two days later. The next Fahs town instead. From 18th January to the week the attacks were extended to the southern end of the month almost daily attacks were made sector in order to cut Rommel's supply line. On by escorted Hurricane-bombers, in the course 8th January, twelve escorted Mitchells attacked of which troop-carriers and other vehicles were the railway junction at Graiba (west of Mahares) attacked and enemy positions and bridges, par­ and destroyed two bridges, and six more escort­ ticularly in the vicinity of Pont du Fahs, were ed Mitchells bombed the railway junction at Ka­ bombed. By night, Bisleys, operating from Can­ laa Srira (west of Sousse). On the 10th, nine robert (about 42 miles S.E. of Constantine), at­ escorted Marauders attacked the marshalling tacked road and rail communications in the Tunis yards at Gabes and on the following day six Teboura — Pont du Fahs area, and on occa­ escorted Fortresses bombed the railway and road sions £xteni|ed Xhe activ-J^y 'to north ofr^Kairouan; vehicles on the road and trains were successfully; order to supplement air attacks being made from attacked and rail' and road j.lincti<)nrarid,f.viai[ii^i^ the east and hasten the liquidation of the enemy's were bombed. Tripolitanian-based air forces. On the 9th Ja­ nuary, five escorted Marauders dropped frag­ The Enemy Captures Faid mentation bombs on the hangars, and three days Having improved his positions in the central later twelve escorted Fortresses destroyed about sector, the enemy now sought to do the same in 20 of the 75 aircraft seen on the ground. On the the southern sector, in order to safeguard the former occasion, three enemy fighters which at­ Rommel supply line along the coastal plain. tempted interception were shot down and during South of Pichon the country is less mountainous the latter raid fourteen ME.109s were claimed as than the area considered in the preceding para­ destroyed. A third attack was made by thirteen graphs. The dorsal ridge continues, however, escorted Fortresses on the 18th, when numerous although less defined, and is broken by two main fires were started; intercepting enemy fighters passes, one at Maknassy on the Sfax - Gafsa again received a mauling, three being destroyed, road and the other at Faid, where the Sfax - five probably destroyed, and four damaged for Sbeitla road cuts through Djebel Kralif. the loss of one Fortress and one escorting Light­ Maknassy had been in the enemy's hands from ning. the beginning, but he now made determined The enemy air forces withdrawing from Tri­ attemps to eliminate our forward troops at Sened politania were not allowed to settle down unhin­ Station, 30 miles east of Gafsa. Sened changed dered at their new base at Medenine. On the hands several times but the Axis forces were un­ 22/23rd eleven Wellingtons attacked the main able to push along the road to Gafsa as intended. landing ground, where patrolling U.S. Lightnings At Faid, however, they had greater success and had previously reported the presence of 100 occupied the defile on 30th January. The enemy enemy aircraft; bombs were dropped varying thus succeeded to some extent in deepening the from 4,000 lbs. to 30 lbs. each but results were defences covering the Sousse - Sfax - Gabes line not observed. The raid presumably had good of communication, which was vital for the main­ effect, however, as eighteen U.S. escorted Mi­ tenance of Rommel's army, now in process of tchells despatched to attack the same landing crossing the Tunisian border. ground on the 24th found it deserted. A move Mention has already been made on page 27 of had been made to a landing ground west of Me­ the Twelfth U.S.A.A.P. attacks on enemy com­ denine and the 60 to 70 aircraft found on the munications in the southern sector during the ground there were bombed with good results. lull in the fighting from 1st to 17th January. The Other attacks on enemy landing grounds in the attacks in the southern sector were now intensified southern sector included successful U.S. Marau­ as Rommel's army established itself in the Ben der attacks on the important base at Gabes. Gardane - Medenine - Gabes area. Constant at­ tacks were made on transport vehicles, principal­ In the central sector attacks were made by ly by U.S. Lightnings. Thus on the 19th Ja­ Bisleys and U.S. Marauders on Kairouan airfield, nuary eighteen Lightnings swept the Ben Garda- and in the north two night attacks by Welling- ne - Zuara road and straffed about 20 vehicles, tons were made on Sidi Ahmed (Bizerta) airfield including two petrol carriers. On the 21st, seven and several day attacks by various aircraft of Lightnings shot up a 20 truck convoy near Mede­ the Twelfth U.S.A.A.F. on El Aouina (Tunis) nine and 26 Lightnings shot up military traffic airfield. on the Gabes - Ben Gardane road and reported The outstanding blitz of the month was the the destruction of 65 vehicles; further attacks three attacks on El Aouina airfield on the 22nd. were made on the same day on vehicle concen­ The first attack was delivered by 40 U.S. Fort­ trations by U.S. Bostons. Other Lightning at­ resses, escorted by U.S. Lightnings, in the course tacks included the straffing of "countless vehi­ of which 471 fragmentation clusters and 57 x 500 cles" moving west on the Gabes - Medenine - Ben lbs. G.P. bombs were dropped. Many fires were Gardane road on the 23rd and the shooting-up started, including some which could be seen for of vehicles on the Sfax - Gabes road on the 27th. 80 to 100 miles on the return journey. Later in Meanwhile, U.S. escorted bombers attacked ene­ the morning, twelve U.S. Marauders, escorted by my encampments and railway mashalling yards. U.S. Lightnings, renewed the attack and dropped Medenine town and car park were attacked by 208 x 100 lb. bombs on dispersed aircraft, and eighteen escorted Mitchells an the 19th; sixteen in the afternoon eighteen U.S. escorted Mitchells Fortresses bombed a camp and barracks at dropped 203 fragmentation clusters. Many fires Gabes on the 20th ; and eighteen escorted Mit­ and heavy smoke were seen issuing from the chells attacked the marshalling yards and bar­ numerous parked aircraft when the Mitchells racks at Sfax on the 28th. The building up of the left the scene. Axis forces in the southern sector did not proceed unhampered. Shipping Strikes Attacks on Enemy Airfields The most outstanding shipping attacks reported during January were those delivered by Twelfth During the first three weeks of January the U.S.A.A.F. Marauders and Mitchells in the latter Twelfth U.S.A.A.F. made several heavy attacks part of the month. The following accounts indi­ on the Castel Benito airfield, south of Tripoli, in cate the success of these attacks.

28 On 20th January six Mitchells, escorted by loading, their prime consideration. The Welling- twelve Lightnings, sighted a tanker 300 to 400 tons attacked the harbour on sixteen nights, car­ feet long, accompanied by a small motor vessel rying out a total of approximately 150 effective and two destroyers, between Sicily and Tunisia; sorties; on the remaining nights of the month 15.x 500 lb. bombs were dropped from a height adverse weather conditions prevented operations of 200 feet and one direct and two very near or alternative attacks were made on enemy air­ misses were scored on the tanker which was seen fields. During the first half of the month low to settle in the water after a violent explosion. cloud rendered the target extremely difficult t.o On the 22nd, six Marauders, escorted by twelve locate and hampered the observation of results. Lightnings, scored hits on a freighter en route to Beginning on the night 14/15th January the Tunisia and left it listing. The following day weather cleared and on this and four of the further small freighters were attacked by five following five nights Wellingtons carried out 71 escorted Marauders; one ship exploded, one effective sorties and inflicted wide-spread damage caught fire and capsized and another was listing on the docks. The bombs dropped included an when last seen. On the 27th, six escorted appreciable number of 4,000 and 1,000 pounders Mitchells attacked two enemy destroyers. Two and vast quantities of incendiaries in addition to direct hits and three near misses were scored on the usual 500 and 250 lb. bombs. On several the starboard side of one destroyer, which was occasions the fires caused were visible for 40 left on fire and listing heavily, and four near miles on the return journey. misses were scored on the stern of the other. During the latter part of the month U S. Two days later, six Mitchells, escorted by twelve escorted Fortresses carried out several day at­ Lightnings, attacked an enemy convoy consisting tacks on Bizerta and Ferryville comprising ap­ of two cargo liners, six freighters, four proximately 100 effective bomber sorties. In destroyers and several smaller vessels. Two addition to the fires started on the docks, direct direct hits were scored on a 350 to 400 foot hits were scored on shipping in the harbour. A vessel and another vessel of similar size was set striking feature of the attacks was the conside­ on fire. Sixteen enemy fighters which attempt­ rable number of enemy fighters destroyed— ed to prevent the attacks received a mauling. a tribute to the concentrated fire of the Fortres­ The most successful attack on a submarine ses and the skill of the U.S. Lightning escorts. was that delivered by a Hudson of No. 500 Tunis was attacked by U.S. Fortresses on three Squadron on the 17th against a fully surfaced occasions and once by U.S. Marauders; on several tT-boat. In the first attack the aircraft dropped occasions, however, missions were abandoned 3X250 lb. D.Cs from 300 feet, but overshot by owing to bad weather in the target area. The 50 yards. A firing duel then followed between attacks were not confined to the docks area and the two opponents and in a second attack, made included such objectives as the power-house, from 1,600 feet, one 250 lb. G.P. bomb fell within military camps, the industrial area south of Tunis 20 feet of the submarine. The Hudson then con­ and the marshalling yards south-east of the tinued straffing, but return fire ceased from the town. Once again the Fortresses shot the op­ ;U-boat as it submerged. The aircraft remained posing fighters out of the skies; in particular, in the vicinity for three and a half hours, and on 2nd January, it was reported that seventeen observed an oil streak eight miles long. enemy fighters were destroyed, ten probably destroyed and fifteen damaged for the loss of Destruction of JU. 52s two American aircraft. During January as many as 70 JU. 52s landed In the southern sector, Sfax was attacked on in Tunis from Sicily and Naples in a single day. three separate days by a total of 64 U.S. escort­ Apart from the destruction of transport aircraft ed Fortresses, eighteen U.S. escorted Mitchells on the ground during the heavy raids on El and fifteen U.S. escorted Marauders. The most Aouina airfields previously mentioned, escorted damaging attacks were made on the 28th Ja­ formations were on several occasions caught en nuary, when 27 Fortresses, escorted by eighteen route, particularly by U.S. Lightnings escorting Lightnings, began the attack at 14.22 hours by U.S. Marauders and U.S. Mitchells on anti-ship­ dropping 319 x 500 lb. G.P. bombs on the docks; ping sweeps. In particular, there were several ten minutes later eighteen Mitchells, escorted by successful interceptions in the third week of eleven Lightnings, attacked the marshalling January. yards; and at 14.50 hours, fifteen Mitchells, escort­ Thus, on the 15th six JU. 52s, one ME. 323 ed by eleven Lightnings, attacked the harbour, and two escorting FW. 190s were shot down and dropping 273 x 100 lb. demolition bombs. In several other aircraft damaged; on the 17th combats with enemy fighters six were destroyed, two JU. 52s and one JU. 88 were destroyed at two probably destroyed and two damaged; Ame­ the cost of one Lightning, and four days later rican bosses were one Mitchell and one Lightning. one JU.52 and one FW.190 were shot down. Sousse was also successfully attacked by U.S. escorted Fortresses on three occasions and Attacks on Tunisian Ports Intensified damage was inflicted on shipping in the harbour. During January, Wellingtons, which had re­ The success achieved in January in limiting cently arrived to strengthen the Eastern Air the enemy supplies reaching Tunisia by sea and Command's bomber force, made the night bomb­ air attacks on Axis shipping and the bombing of ing of Bizerta, the enemy's principal port of off- ports is indicated by the table on page 13. First German landings photographed at El Aouina airfield, Tunis.

Small-scale Ground Operations In the main, R.A.F. fighters and fighter-bom­ During the first half of February the ground bers operated in the northern part of the central fighting was on a small scale. The enemy re­ sector and American aircraft in the south/ sisted tenaciously any local advances on our part Spitfires made daily offensive reconnaissances and, in fact, improved certain positions in the of an extensive area south of Pont du Fahs and central sector. In particular, he gained more regularly shot up transport vehicles, particularly points of vantage north of Pichon and in the ,on the Pont du Fahs-Enfidaville road, and at­ Maknassy-Sened area. tacked ^several tented camps. When suitable burnt-out aircraft were destroyed in an attack by Bcaufighters from Malta.

targets were located escorted Hurricane-bom­ In the Faid area the most successful attacks bers took up the attack; thus, successful attacks were the bombing qf tanks and transport vehicles were made on troops and transport south-west by six U.S. Bostons on 1st February and the of Pont' du Fahs on the 6th. silencing of gun positions at Sidi Bou Zid by Meanwhile, aircraft of the Twelfth U.S.A.A.F. U.S. Airacobras on the 6th. The attacks in the attacked enemy positions and vehicles in the Maknassy area included the bombing of road and vicinity of Faid and Maknassy, where the enemy railway bridges across the river north of Mak­ was preparing to resume offensive operations. nassy by eighteen U.S. Marauders on 3rd Fe­

31 bruary; attacks on transport on the Maknassy- ditions were all combining to delay the inevitable Gafsa road by U.S. Airacobras on the 6th; and assault of the Vlllth Army. The enemy took the destruction of four 88 mm. guns west of Sened advantage of the lull on the Eastern Front to by six U.S. escorted Bostons on the 12th. direct forces northwards. The 21st Armoured These attacks on military targets were made Division had already joined Von Arnim's forces in spite of bad flying weather which limited the and had turned the scales at Faid on 30th Jan­ scale of our air operations. uary; in addition, on 12th February, half of the armoured units which had been acting as re­ Apart from adverse weather conditions, how­ arguard east and south of Ben Gardane departed ever, effective direct support to our ground for the Western Front. The enemy now had forces throughout the campaign was extremely strong striking forces in the central and south­ difficult to provide as the hilly wooded terrain ern sectors and planned to use them before an of the central and northern sectors often pre­ assault on the Mareth Line necessitated their vented the positive identification of enemy posi­ withdrawal southwards again. tions. Stmoke was used on occasion by our troops to indicate enemy positions but this auto­ On 14th February, an enemy force of all arms, matically betrayed their presence to the enemy including 80 to 100 tanks of the 21st Armoured and, moreover, could be copied by him to confuse Division, moved west from Faid. The main body, the issue further. with about 50 tanks, advanced along the Faid - Sbeitla road and in spite of Allied counter-attacks Attacks on Gabes Landing Grounds had approached to within fifteen miles of Sbeitla While Rommel's forces were establishing them­ by the afternoon. Meanwhile, a small force of selves on the Eastern Front heavy attacks were about 30 tanks, advancing from the north-east, made by aircraft of the Twelfth U.S.A.A.F. on had reached a point south-south-east of Sbeitla. the landing grounds at Gabes in order to limit Further tanks were kept in reserve south of enemy air activity in the southern sector. Faid. As a result of this advance and ths threat of enemy armoured units, withdrawn from Rom­ On 3rd February fifteen Marauders, escorted mel's army, which were approaching Gafsa from by Lightnings, attacked the main airfield; obser­ Gabes, the Allied forces at Gafsa were withdrawn vation of results, however, was prevented by dust. to Feriana during the night 14/15th February. Stiff opposition was encountered from enemy Allied armoured units on the 15th then initiated fighters and a running fight which lasted for a counter-attack southwards towards Sidi Bou Zid forty minutes resulted in three ME. 109s being and fighting in that area continued throughout destroyed, two probably destroyed, and three da­ the day. maged for the loss of one Marauder and two Lightnings. The following day the attack on the Our troops involved in these engagements were airfield was renewed by eighteen Fortresses, es­ predominantly American and operations in the corted by Lightnings, and six or seven fires were battle area were carried out by the air support caused among aircraft on the ground. The Fort­ units of the Twelfth U.S.A.A.F. which made ex­ resses were attacked by ME.109s and FW.190s tensive straffing and reconnaissance missions. during the bomb run; the Fortresses claimed nine In the course of the two days, also, American enemy fighters destroyed and eight damaged. fighters destroyed eight ME.109s and four F.W. Later in the day, 24 additional Fortresses, escorted 190s, probably destroyed four ME.109s and da­ by Lightnings, attacked the important landing maged seven other aircraft. ground west of Gabes. Many bursts and a great Meanwhile, R.A.F. Spitfires continued their of­ column of smoke were observed in the target fensive reconnaissances further north in the area area. As a result; of a running fight for 50 miles north-west of Pont du Fahs and on the 15th made with enemy fighters, sixteen enemy fighters were sweeps over the Pont du Fahs - Kairouan, Pont claimed as destroyed, nine probably destroyed and du Fahs - Fkirine, and Mateur - Medjes el Bab - one damaged; on the American side one Fortress Tebourba areas in order to see if any attack was was shot down and four Lightnings failed to re­ pending in the northern sector. Little movement turn. Attacks on the Gabes landing grounds was observed and no enemy aircraft were encoun­ were also made on 8th March by fifteen Ma­ tered. rauders and eighteen Mitchells. Many bursts and fires were observed in the target area. During the night 15/16th February, fifteen Bisleys bombed transport on roads near Kairouan Later in the month, as mentioned on page 15 which probably represented elements of 10th Ar­ in Section I, the attacks on the Gabes landing moured Division en route to reinforce the 21st grounds were continued from the east by the Armoured Division's attack. Allied squadrons following up the advance of the Vlllth Army. The Enemy's Success The enemy now endeavoured to thrust as far The Enemy Attacks north as possible in order to cut off or force a Rommel, by withdrawing to the Mareth de­ withdrawal of our forces threatening Tunis and fences, had strengthened the enemy forces in the Bizerta. southern sector. Meanwhile, as indicated in Sec­ During 16th February, in spite of unfavourable tion I, the necessity of building up supplies from weather, American air support units continued Tripoli^ the bad going and adverse weather con­ their straffing missions. In particular, six escort­ ed Bostons attacked gun emplacements Anglo-American Co-operation Bou Zid and put out of action six howitzers; six more escorted Bostons attacked enemy concen­ On 19th February, the squadrons of the East­ trations north-west of Gafsa, and Airacobras at­ ern Air Command and the Twelfth U.S.A.A.F. tacked suitable targets in the Kairouan - Sidi merged to form the North-west African Air Bou Zid - Gafsa area. Nevertheless, it became Forces. The final sub-divisions comprised five evident that the Allied counter-attack towards main formations, three of which were operational Sidi Bou Zid from the north had failed and the and two concerned with training and servicing. enemy established himself on a line running Of the operational formations, the Tactical Air southwards from Djebel Lessouda to Sidi Bou Force, consisting of fighter, fighter-bomber, Zid and thence south-west to Djebel el Hafey. light bomber and reconnaissance squadrons, was On the night 16/17th the enemy broke into the to afford close support to the Allied armies; the Sbeitla defences and our forces withdrew to the Strategic Air Force, composed of heavy and line of hills running south-west from the Djebel medium bomber squadrons, was allotted, prima­ Barbrou and covering the defiles running north rily, the task of attacking enemy , bases and and north-west from Sbeitla, Kasserine and convoys; the Coastal Air Force, embodying gen­ eral reconnaissance and certain fighter squadrons, Feriana. was responsible for the defence of our ports and The following morning, the enemy's 21st Ar­ convoys, shipping sweeps and anti-submarine moured Division occupied Sbeitla and a force patrols. consisting principally of the 10th Armoured Di­ vision moved west and occupied Kasserine. Si­ The three formations, however, by no means worked in water-tight compartments; their com­ multaneously, enemy artnoured units from the mitments often over-lapped and aircraft of the south occupied Feriana and Thelepte. An attack different formations co-operated as the need on Pichon on the same day, however,- was re­ arose. The aim was to create a flexible all-round pulsed and our troops withdrew unhindered across air force: the guiding principle was to select the the Ousseltia valley that night. most appropriate aircraft for the job in hand. During the 17th Spitfires continued their tac­ The Eastern Air Command and the Twelfth tical reconnaissance and straffing of vehicles U.S.A.A.F. had each done splendid work. In spite around Pont du Fahs and destroyed one FW. 190 of fulfilling the heavy commitments involved in and damaged another without loss. American supporting ground operations and attacking fighters, meanwhile, carried out sweeps over the enemy bases and convoys, sight was never lost central sector battle area and reported the des­ of the prime necessity of shooting the opposing truction of several tanks and many vehicles. air forces out of the sky. The following figures, Enemy vehicle concentrations south of Feriana giving Axis aircraft destroyed in combat, were also attacked by six U.S. escorted Bostons indicates the success achieved in this activity and that night twelve Bisleys effectively bombed during the time the R.A.F. and the U.S.A.A.F. transport on the roads Fondouk - Sbeitla, Faid- operated as independent partners (8th November, Sbeitla and Gafsa - Feriana. 1942, to 18th February, 1943):— On 18th February, all bombing missions were cancelled on account of unfavourable weather, but Probably American fighters in the course of offensive Destroyed Destroyed Damaged sweeps over the forward area attacked troop concentrations and encampments in the vicinity E. A. C 255 55 160 of Sbeitla and Feriana. 12th U.S.A.A.F. ... 384 127 166 On the following day, the enemy's attack was renewed. Armoured units from Feriana advanced to Kasserine in two sections — one northwards Totals 639 182 326 from Sbeitla along the Le Kef road and the other to the north-east of Kasserine. The attack from Following the creation of the unified force, the Sbeitla was held in the Sbiba pass and made no Allied air attacks increased; thus, in the first progress, but the other from Kasserine succeeded three weeks of its existence the North-west in capturing the defile on the 20th. African Air Forces dropped two and a half million Offensive air operations on 19th February were lbs. of bombs, which represents more than a third prevented by bad weather. During the night, how­ of the total poundage dropped by the Twelfth ever, in spite of unfavourable weather conditions, U.S.A.A.F. during its 105 days of official 26 Bisleys attacked roads and railways in the existence. Gafsa area, but results could not be observed. Furthermore, the creation of the Mediterranean On the following day, while the enemy was en­ Air Command, having ultimate control of all gaged in capturing the Kasserine defile, the con­ Allied air forces based in the Middle East, North­ tinued bad weather prevented air operations on west Africa and Malta, ensured that large-scale an appreciable scale but U.S. Airacobras made a operations could be co-ordinated with the mi­ few attacks on enemy vehicles near Kasserine. nimum delay. During the night, also, 24 Bisleys bombed trans­ The Enemy's North-west Drive Abandoned. port and roads in the Thelepte - Kasserine - Fe­ riana area; once again the bad weather prevented On 21st and 22nd February the enemy forces an assessment of the damage caused. which*hoped to push on to Thala were engaged

i^-y y * ^•iw by Allied armoured units. ^.lthough certain was an opportunist move designed to take ad­ enemy advanced units thrust to within four miles vantage of the fact that we had been obliged to of their objective, by the evening of the 22nd it send reinforcements southwards to counter the was clear that further progress was problema­ enemy's push mentioned in the preceding para­ tical; accordingly, on the following day the graphs. The enemy planned to thrust down the enemy decided to withdraw. Above all, these road from Mateur to Beja, with a secondary at­ armoured units were now required to return to tack in the north towards Sedjenane, and to the Mareth defences to meet the threat of the advance southwards to El Aroussa. The latter VTIIth Army. was to be attacked from the east through Bou During this time, in spite of bad weather con­ Arada and the Djebel Mansour. The successful ditions, considerable help was given to our troops completion of these operations would have left by the Allied air forces. On 21st February, ten Medjez el Bab in a salient projecting nearly 20 U.S. Mitchells attacked the railway yard at miles forward. Gafsa and U.S. Airacobras continued their straff­ The two thrusts from Mateur at first met with ing of enemy vehicles in the Kasserine area. The some success, but a skilful counter-attack by our following morning, twelve Hurricane-bombers, ground forces halted the enemy three miles north escorted by 28 Spitfires, effectively bombed the of Sedjenane. A few enemy tanks penetrated the enemy's forward units approaching Thala. In mine barrier on the road from Mateur to Beja addition, straffing attacks were carried out by on 27th February and approached to within ten American fighters around Kasserine; seven U.S. miles of the town, but they were stopped by our Fortresses dropped small fragmentation bombs artillery fire and the air attacks mentioned in on a bridge in the Kasserine area ; and U.S. the next paragraph. Further north, enemy Mitchells also provided close support to the Allied forces on the road to El Aroussa were engaged land forces. by our armoured forces and forced to retire. The enemy attacks from the east against Bou Arada The Enemy Withdraws and Djebel Mansour, moreover, were both suc­ The enemy withdrew much faster on his left cessfully held by our ground forces. flank than on his right and he held on to Sbeitla Air operations in support of our troops in the after he had evacuated Kasserine in order to northern sector were carried out principally by prevent the forces on his left flank from being Spitfires and Hurricane-bombers and many enemy cut off. The roads were heavily mined and rear- vehicles and tanks were destroyed. The air at­ guards attempted to delay the advance of our tacks were particularly intensive on the 28th. troops; in spite of these, however, Feriana was On this day, Spitfires and Hurricane-bombers re-occupied on 28th February and Sbeitla on 1st flew 276 sorties comprising seven attacks; two March. of the attacks were against tanks and vehicles While the enemy was engaged in this with­ in the Sidi Nsir area, five against similar targets drawal he was subjected to the constant attacks north-east of Beja. In addition, U.S. escorted of the Allied air forces. Mitchells attacked enemy position at Mateur. On the first day of the withdrawal proper— During the first three days of the attack—26th the 23rd—45 U.S. Fortresses bombed Kasserine, to 28th February—enemy air opposition over the and eighteen U.S. Marauders concentrated on the northern sector of the battlefield was negligible. actual pass. Twelve U.S. Mitchells attacked The Enemy Captures Sedjenane heavy traffic on a road near Sbeitla and U.S. Bostons attacked traffic between Kasserine and The enemy's attack towards Sedjenane was Thelepte. The damage caused could not be as­ resumed on 1st March. He achieved some initial sessed owing to poor visibility. Meanwhile, U.S. success and eventually, after suffering severe Airacobras and Spitfires carried out offensive casualties during the heavy fighting on the 3rd sweeps over this particular battle area. The and 4th, succeeded in capturing the town. Further following day, U.S. escorted Bostons attacked exploitation, however, was prevented by our land Sbeitla town, the railway, and traffic on the forces. Feriana-Gafsa road, while U.S. Airacobras and Meanwhile, the Axis force attacking towards Spitfires swept the whole area of the enemy's Beja met with little success and all attacks made withdrawal and shot up enemy transport vehicles. against Hunt's Gap, ten miles north-east of Beja, For the remaining days of the enemy's with­ were repulsed by our troops, aided by the attacks drawal air operations in this sector were on a of the Tactical Air Force. On 5th March, 30 reduced scale, due partly to unfavourable weather German tanks were observed immobilised in this conditions and partly to the fact that the enemy area. had initiated an attack in the north which ne­ By the 7th March the enemy's attack in the cessitated increased air operations in that sector. northern sector had lost all momentum and he was digging in six miles south-west of Sedjenane Von Arnim's Attack in Northern Sector and north-west and south-west of Hunt's Gap. At the cost of many casualties in men and arm- Meanwhile, on 26th February, the enemy our he had forced us back over a triangular launched an attack with about two divisions and stretch of land twenty miles across in the north a battalion of tanks in the_n

34 were now further from Bizerta, but we had re­ these objectives, IJartfedlit-li tcfiNfoeftjft end ol tained our hold on Medjez— the approach to February. Tunis. In February, apart from the raids on the Gabes To a considerable degree the stemming of the landing grounds already referred to on page 32, enemy's advance was due to the support given the principal attacks were against the airfields at to our land forces by the Tactical Air Force. Air Tunis, Kairouan and Sfax. operations were especially intensive during the The most effective raids on El Aouina (Tunis) first five days of the month, when over 1,000 airfield were made on the 13th and 24th. On fighter and bomber sorties were flown in attacks the former occasion, an attack was made by on targets in the northern sector. In particular, thirteen U.S. escorted Marauders; bursts were widespread attacks on transport and troops were observed among concentrations of aircraft in the delivered by Spitfires and Hurricane-bombers, south-west corner of the airfield. Enemy fighters and Spitfires carried out continuous offensive which attempted to prevent the bombing received sweeps over the entire battle area. Their most their usual punishment: four ME. 109s were re­ successful interception occurred on 4th March ported as destroyed, three probably destroyed and when ten to fifteen JU.87s, escorted by ME.109s, four damaged for the loss of one Marauder. On were prevented from bombing our troops in the the 24th February, an attack was made by eleven Jefna-Sedjenane area and forced to jettison U.S. escorted Marauders and hits were scored their bombs. Two JU.87s were shot down, one on transport aircraft and single-engined types. was probably destroyed and four others were During this attack the flak was intense and damaged. In the course of other offensive enemy fighter opposition was formidable. The sweeps on the same day seven ME.109s were latter made determined attacks on the Marauders damaged. rather than on the escorting fighters; two Marauders were lost but the enemy achieved this Reduced Activity on Western Front only at the expense of five ME.109s destroyed, one probably destroyed and another damaged. From 7th to 17th March operations on the Western Front were restricted to local attacks Sfax el Maouh airfield was effectively attacked and patrolling in strength. At 8edjenane the on 2nd February by fourteen U.S. Marauders enemy managed to retain the ground previously and eighteen U.S. Mitchells, escorted by U.S. won. Pichon remained a no-man's town with Lightnings. Bomb bursts covered the airfield, strong enemy positions on the hills on either causing a large fire, and some aircraft were side. In the Gafsa area the enemy withdrew destroyed on the ground. from Tozeur and Metlaoui, but continued to patrol Attacks on Kairouan airfield were most fre­ sporadically for a distance of about thirteen miles quent during the second and third week in west of Gafsa. The situation in general in this February, when fighting was again intense in tha central sector. On 9th February, an attack was area, however, could best be described as "fluid." delivered by 24 U.S. Fortresses, escorted by U.S. In spite of adverse weather conditions the Lightnings, and bursts were reported to cover the Tactical Air Force carried out operations in all entire airfield. On the 15th, attacks were made sectors. In particular, Spitfires continued to by thirteen U.S. Marauders and nine U.S. Mit­ maintain air superiority in the northern and chells; in each case U.S. Lightnings acted as central sectors. Thus, on 8th March, Spitfires escort. A total of 2,028 x 20 1b. fragmentation on offensive sweeps in the north damaged six bombs was dropped and several fires were caus­ ME.109s and in the central sector destroyed a ed. In combats with enemy fighters it was FW.190 in the vicinity of Pichon. Two days reported that five ME.109s and two FW.190s were later, Spitfires destroyed five ME.109s and damag­ destroyed, three ME.109s probably destroyed and ed two more near Jefna. Meanwhile, Spit­ one FW.190 was damaged; on the American side fires and Hurricane-bombers continued their one Mitchell was lost. On the 24th an attack attacks on enemy transport in the northern was made by 22 U.S. escorted Fortresses: sector, whenever suitable targets were located. 2,970 x 20 lb. fragmentation bombs were dropped U.S. Marauders also made effective attacks in and bursts were observed all over the airfield. the central sector, their most successful being During the first fortnight of March particular that against railway bridges and supply dumps attention was paid to the landing grounds north­ at Enfidaville on the 12th, when 21 tons of bombs west of Gabes and those in the Tunis area. were dropped. On the 3rd, when Rommel's forces were pre­ Further south, around Gafsa, U.S. Marauders, paring to hit back at the Vlllth Army, nineteen escorted by U.S. Warhawks, "softened" enemy U.S. escorted Fortresses attacked a landing resistance preparatory to an attack by the Allied ground north-west of Gabes which covered an land forces. area of four or five square miles. Bursts cover­ ed the target area, on which fifteen to thirty Attacks on Enemy's Tunisian Airfields aircraft were well dispersed, and a large fire and During February and the first fortnight of black smoke was observed. Three other landing March, the enemy's principal Tunisian airfields grounds in the same area were subsequently at­ were regularly attacked, although bad weather tacked by ten U.S. escorted Marauders and caused the cancellation of several missions against fifteen U.S. escorted Mitchells. Attacks on airfields in the Tunis area included 18th February American aircraft made up for two on El Aouina by U.S. escorted Fortresses on the lull by increasing the weight of their attacks. 3rd and 10th March. The first-mentioned attack The airfield at Elmas was bombed by 44 Fort­ was delivered by fifteen U.S. Fortresses, escorted resses, escorted by Lightnings; the latter, how­ by U.S. Lightnings; bursts which were observed ever, were unable to observe the results of the over the entire target area were particularly con­ bombing owing to poor visibility. Of the enemy centrated in the north-east corner, where 35 to 40 fighters which attacked the two formations one aircraft were seen. The attack on 10th March FW. 190 and one MC.200 were destroyed without was on a larger scale, being carried out by 37 U.S. loss to the U.S. aircraft. On the same day nine escorted Fortresses. Hits were scored on three U.S. Mitchells attacked the airfield at Villacidro, large aircraft on the ground and eight to ten and three U.S. Mitchdlls and fifteen U.S. Marau­ other aircraft were left burning. Air combats ders attacked the alternative target of Decimo­ with enemy fighters resulted in five ME.109s mannu airfield; all of these aircraft, which being destroyed, two probably destroyed and two bombed at 12,000 feet, were escorted by U.S. damaged. On the same day, JU.52 concentrations Lightnings. Bursts were seen on the north-eas^t on the landing ground at La Marsa, in the Tunis side of Villacidro airfield and many aircraft were area, were also attacked. The 34 U.S. escorted believed to have been destroyed on the ground at Fortresses which carried out this raid dropped Decimomannu. Over the latter airfield two Ma­ 4,824 x 20 lb. fragmentation bombs and the air­ rauders were lost in a collision. field was reported to have been well covered by bursts. Of the enemy fighters which attempted Ports of Off-Loading Attacked interception one ME. 109 was destroyed, and two The local successes gained by the enemy in others were damaged. February and the early days of March were illu­ Sardinian Air Bases Raided sionary. Once the enemy's stream of supplies -could be reduced to a trickle it would avail him During February attacks were extended across little that he demanded this or that djebel and the sea to the airfields around Cagliari, Sardinia, occupied this or that pass. Accordingly, the Al­ in order to limit the enemy's JU.88 activity. lied air forces continued their set plan of striking The raids were initiated on the night lst/2nd February with an attack by nine Wellingtons, methodically at the Axis supply ports. which dropped approximately fifteen tons of H.E. Bizerta, the enemy's principal port of off- bombs on Elmas airfield. The first aircraft over loading, remained primarily the objective of the the target dropped incendiaries and flares which Wellington force. The most effective medium lit up the hangars in the west corner of the air­ bomber attacks were delivered on the nights field; the succeeding aircraft bombed this area 3rd/4th and 15/16th February by eleven and and the south of the airfield causing fires and twelve Wellingtons respectively. On both nights explosions. many bursts were observed in the harbour and On the 7th, aircraft of the Twelfth U.S.A.A.F. town areas. In addition to the frequent Welling­ made their first attacks against the Sardinian air ton attacks a heavy attack was delivered by bases, when Elmas airfield and the seaplane base 32 U.S. escorted Fortresses on 25th February, at Cagliari were bombed. In all, 32 Fortresses when numerous hits were scored on the docks and nineteen Marauders participated in these and near misses on the ships in the outer attacks, escort being provided by Lightnings. harbour. 84 x 1000 lb. H.E. and 4,782 x 20 lb. fragmenta­ The principal attacks on Tunis during Feb­ tion bombs were dropped and the results were ruary and the first half of March were delivered described as "satisfactory". Many fires were in the early days of each month. On 1st February, started, including some caused by aircraft des­ nineteen U.S. Fortresses, escorted by U.S. troyed on the ground, and runways, buildings and Lightnings, dropped 60 x 1,000 lb. and 166 x hangars were hit. In encounters with the enemy 500 lb. bombs on the docks and shipping. Fires five ME.109s were destroyed and two RE.2001s were caused along the harbour and hits were and one ME.109 damaged. scored on a large ship at the docks. Enemy That night (7/8th February) the attacks were fighters attacked during the bomb run but re­ resumed when sixteen Wellingtons were despatch­ ceived short shrift from the Fortresses and ed to attack Villacidro landing ground, about 20 escorting Lightnings : nine enemy fighters were miles north-west of Cagliari. On arriving over destroyed, two probably destroyed and four the Sardinian coast 7/10ths to 10/10ths cloud was damaged. A Fortress was lost by being rammed encountered and consequently only eight aircraft by a FW. 190, whose pilot had presumably been located the target. Bursts were observed in the killed. On 2nd March, eighteen U.S. escorted south-east corner of the airfield. Of the remain­ Fortresses scored many hits on the quays and ing aircraft, three attacked Decimomannu land­ on the same day eighteen additional U.S. Fort­ ing ground, about ten miles north-west of Ca­ resses, escorted by U.S. Lightnings, bombed the gliari, and five bombed the estimated positions power-house, ship yard and dry dock areas at of Elmas airfield. A total of 56,660 lbs. of bombs La Goulette. Later in the month, on the night were dropped on these targets. 12/13th March, eleven Wellingtons dropped Adverse weather conditions prevented the at­ 2 x 4,000 lb., 62 x 500 lb. bombs and 1,080 x 4 lb. tacks from being resumed for nine days, bi incendiaries on the docks and marshalling yards Concentrated bombing on Tunis docki. at Tunis and on the centre of the city. Some of storage and loading piers. In addition, a hit the fires started were visible for 60 miles on the was scored on a medium-size vessel in the return journey. On this occasion, also, pam­ harbour. phlets were dropped over a wide area. In addition to attacks on Bizerta and Tunis, a Attacks on Sicilian and Sardinian Ports few heavy attacks were made on the docks and shipping at Sousse. On 8th February, 42 U.S. In February, N.W. African-based aircraft sup­ escorted Fortresses dropped 186 x 1,000 lb. bombs plemented the air attacks of our Malta and Libya on this target: considerable damage was inflict­ based bombers on the Sicilian and Sardinian ed on jetties and buildings and two ships in the supply ports from which the Axis ships made harbour received direct hits. On 12th March, their hit-or-miss dashes to northern Tunisia. another heavy attack was delivered by 38 U.S. Trapani was attacked on several nights by escorted Fortresses when one hundred and four­ Wellingtons; in particular, successful attacks teen tons of bombs were dropped from 24,000 were made on the nights 31st January/lst Fe­ feet. Fires were caused in the docks area and bruary and 9/10th February by seven and ten bursts were observed in the marshalling yards bombers respectively. On each occasion bursts and in the vicinity of the power-house and oil were observed in the docks area. The principal attack on Palermo from the by additional evidence of damage, have N.W. African end in February was made on the been disregarded. 15th by eighteen U.S. Fortresses. , One large ship (a) Sunk. was hit and left burning in the harbour, an oil 20 tank was set on fire and bursts were observed in the docks area. On 1st March an even more (b) Severely Damaged. devastating attack was carried out by 38 U.S. 15 Fortresses, escprted by U.S. Lightnings. Many (c) Damaged. bursts from 2,000 lb. and 500 lb. bombs were 11 observed on the docks, in the dry docks and The most successful attacks during the period ship-building areas- and in the town; in addi­ were carried out during the week ending 12th tion, hits were scored on one large M/V and March. Five anti-shipping missions were flown several smaller ones in the harbour and five by U.S. Fortresses, Mitchells and Marauders, vessels were set on fire. escort being provided by U.S. Lightnings. Six Towards the end of February, also, heavy at­ enemy vessels, including several Siebel ferries, tacks were made by the Strategic Air Force were sunk, eight severely damaged, and three against the important port of Cagliari, Sardinia. damaged. The thoroughness of the attacks is On 26th February, nineteen U.S. Fortresses scor­ exemplified by the fact that Wellingtons des­ ed hits on the docks, the railway yards, and in­ patched from Malta on the night 7/8th March dustrial area of the town. Two days later a to finish off the remnants of a convoy attacked heavier attack was made by 46 U.S. Fortresses, by U.S. escorted Mitchells and Fortresses during escorted by U.S. Lightnings. Large fires were the day reported that the latter had done such started on the docks and in the town and direct a good job that further action was unnecessary. hits and near misses were scored on vessels in the harbour and near the docks. The extensive In nearly every case in this week, also, the damage caused was confirmed by the evidence American formations were attacked by enemy of photographs taken during the raid. About escorting aircraft. 28 of these were destroyed, nine enemy fighters were engaged by the escort­ fifteen probably destroyed and four damaged; ing Lightnings which claimed the destruction of the American losses, in comparison, were small. two MC. 200s and one ME.109. No losses were incurred by the American aircraft. Protection of Shipping and Ports Day in, day out the Coastal Air Force ensured Attacks on Convoys that our shipping was adequately escorted, ports While the bombing of the Axis supply ports and supply bases protected against enemy air and attacks on shipping in harbour were going attack and the U-boat menace kept in check. on, N.W. African-based aircraft supplemented By night, Beaufighters carried out local and the magnificent work of the Royal Navy by at­ convoy patrols. These were usually made with­ tacks on enemy vessels in transit between out incident, but on the occasions when the northern Tunisia and Sicily and Sardinia. enemy's JU.88s were operating, the Beaufighters During the first three weeks in February made their presence felt; thus on the night adverse weather conditions usually prevented 11/12th March, for example, a JU.88 was des­ sightings and often caused the cancellation of troyed 40 miles north-east of Bone. During the missions. The most successful attack during day, Hurricanes and Spitfires maintained conti­ this .spell was carried out by nine U.S. escorted nuous patrols on local defence and convoy escort Mitchells on 10th February. Four vessels, be­ duties: few enemy air attacks materialised and lieved to be Siebel ferries, were attacked from a combats were rare. There is little doubt that height of 500 feet about 40 miles north of Cape the enemy's caution was dictated by his appre­ Bon; one was sunk and another was left sinking. ciation of the reception always awaiting him. From the last week in February onward, how­ Meanwhile, Hudsons and Swordfish kept up ever, considerable success was achieved, as is their unceasing search for U-boats. On a num­ shown in the following table. The results ta­ ber of occasions enemy submarines were attack­ bulated represent those obtained from 19th Fe­ ed but, as is usual in U-boat attacks, the damage bruary (when the Allied squadrons merged to caused could only be conjectured. There was no form the North-west African Air Forces) to doubt, however, about the results aohieved by a 19th March inclusive. The categories are defin­ Hudson on 4th March. A fully surfaced U-boat ed as follows:— was sighted and immediately attacked with three (a) Sunk. Ships seen to sink or explode. A/S bombs. As these appeared to have no effect the attack was renewed with machine-gun (b) Severely Damaged. Ships seen to be fire, and subsequently three depth charges were heavily listing, to be in a sinking con­ dropped. White smoke was observed coming dition, or in flames. from the U-boat, and oil and bubbles appeared (c) Damaged. When direct hits claimed, on the water as it began to sink. The Hudson but no further results observed. When remained in the vicinity for half an hour; by observed damage could not be consider­ that time the submarine had disappeared and ed critical. Near misses, unsupported twenty-five bodies were observed in the sea. Eve of the Allied Attack y, and Mid-March found the North-west African Air beat him utterly. The following section gives an account of the Forces ready to play a full part in the coming Allied air activity on both fronts from 17th battle. The fusion of R.A.F. and U.S. squadrons March to the end of the month. The process of into a mighty striking force was complete. squeezing the enemy out of Africa was then ap­ British and American commanders were imbued proaching its final stage.

A heavy attack on \7th February, 1943, by U.S.A.F. bombers on Naples harbour, during which hits were scored on a number of vessels and the military barracks. PINCERS BEGIN TO CLOSE

Preliminary Attack on the Mareth Line damaged. Two Spitfires were lost but both pilots were saved. The following day, 18th IN PREPAEATION FOR the VHIth Army's of­ March, 36 Bostons and Baltimores bombed enemy fensive, scheduled for four nights later, a limited concentrations and positions at Toujane and attack was launched on the Mareth Line east and Mareth respectively, but low cloud hampered both north-east of Arram on the night of 16/17th the operations and observation of results. March; this achieved sufficient local success to establish close contact with the enemy between On the night 19/20th March, the weather clear­ the road and the sea and to provide information ed sufficiently to enable our medium bombers to about enemy dispositions. The northern sector resume their attacks. Thirty-four Wellingtons of the line, with its salt marshes and formidable with Albacpre illumination, bombed enemy camps anti-tank obstructions, was held by Italian troops; and transport vehicles along the main road west in view of the strong natural and artificial de­ of Mareth; many fires and one violent explosion fences it had evidently been decided that for the were caused and a hit was also scored on an moment German stiffening was unnecessary. The anti-aircraft gun position. central sector was screened by the enemy's 90th The next day, 20th March, the Allied light Light Division in positions dug along the Mede­ bombers operated at maximum intensity in order nine road, and further south the Hallouf and to "soften" the northern sector of the Mareth de­ Kreddache passes were guarded by elements of fence zone preparatory to the Vlllth Army's night the 164th Division. The 15th Armoured Division attack. Nine attacks were made in the Mareth was in position as immediate reserve in the Ma­ area comprising 71 Boston, 54 Baltimore and 36 reth area, and the 21st Armoured Division, in U.S. Mitchell effective sorties, escort being pro­ the vicinity of Gabes, was available for either vided by 187 Kittyhawks and U.S. Warhawks. the Eastern or the Western Front. Meanwhile, The bombing was particularly successful around the 10th Armoured Division had apparently left Mareth village, where many hits were scored on the Eastern Front temporarily to strengthen dug-in positions and buildings, including bar­ Kairouan in the central sector of the Tunisian racks, and south of Mareth where enemy strong- battlefield. It was estimated that the Axis points were heavily attacked. Enemy fighters troops numbered 100 to 110,000 in southern Tu­ made no attempt to intercept these formations nisia: of these, 45 to 50,000 Germans and 30 to but two Bostons were shot down by anti-aircraft 35,000 Italians were with combatant units. The fire. Meanwhile, two formations of 36 U.S. War­ total German tank strength in the south was hawk-bombers, escorted by Spitfires and U.S. put at 150 runners; Italian runners, however, were so few that they could be practically Warhawks, attacked transport vehicles in the ignored. enemy's rear near Gabes. Offensive patrols over the forward area were Air Support carried out by Spitfires and Kittyhawks and No.l S.A.A.F. gained the honour of being the first In order to bring the full weight of the air Western Desert Air Force squadron to shoot down arm to bear on the enemy's Mareth positions a F.W. 190. practically all the fighter and fighter-bomber squadrons and a light bomber wing of the Wes­ The Americans Attack tern Desert Air Force (now controlled by the North-west African Tactical Air Force) Meanwhile, further south, American ground were up in the Medenine-Neffatia-Ben Gardane- forces on 17th March initiated a full-scale attack Bu Grara area. Some of the fighter-bomber and occupied Gafsa and Zannouch. The attack squadrons were located only twelve miles behind .of the II Corps on Gafsa was preceded by the ef­ the front-line and anti-tank guns were in posi­ fective bombing of the town by U.S. escorted tion 300 yards from the landing grounds. The se­ Bostons and Mitchells. Other air activity during cond light bomber wing, the U.S. Mitchell squa­ the day included the straffing of enemy tanks drons and four additional fighter squadrons were and transport withdrawing along the road from further east at Zuara and El Assaj about 30 miles Gafsa to El Guettar, about 70 miles west of Gabes. across the Tunisian border. In the rear, a Hali­ The following day the American forces pushed on fax and four Wellington squadrons based at Bir to El Guettar and Sidi Bou Zid, south-west of el Gardabia, south-west of Misurata, were ready Faid. to carry out intensive night attacks. From the night 16/17th until 19/20th March, The Blitz on Southern Landing Grounds Allied air attacks on enemy positions were limit­ Coinciding with the opening of the Western ed, as low cloud and dust caused most of the Desert Air Force's offensive against the Mareth operations planned to be cancelled. On one defences on the night 19/20th March the North­ occasion only, the 17th, Spitfires were able to west African Air Forces began their blitz on patrol in strength and as a result of four engage­ enemy landing grounds in the Gabes-Sfax area, ments one ME.109 was shot down, one MC.202 in order to limit air opposition during the period probably destroyed and three ME., 109s, were of the Vlllth Army's attacks and the Americans' advance in the El Guettar area. The night attacks and straffed dispersed transport; iricludirig'vtahks, were delivered by Wellingtons and Bisleys and south-west of Gabes, anfl y'escortecf, Kittyjhawk­ the day attacks by U.S. escorted Fortresses, Ma­ bombers attacked an enemy strori-g^'pojfot'-in the rauders, Mitchells and Bostons. same area, starting eleven fires. From 19/20th to 26th March inclusive nine at­ Enemy air activity over the forward area was tacks were made on the enemy's Djebel Tebaga again negligible ana patrolling Spitfires had one landing grounds, in the course of which 356,160 lbs. engagement only witn enemy lighters, as a re­ of bombs were dropped; 8fax el Maouh airfield sult of which one ME.109 was probably des­ was attacked on four occasions and 131,640 lbs. of troyed. bombs were dropped; landing grounds in the vi­ During the night 21/22 March, air attacks cinity of Gabes and Mezzouna were also attacked were delivered with the object of "softening" op­ with bomb-loads of 57,600 lbs. and 35,440 lbs. res­ posiaon to me main and subsidiary attacks, of pectively. Widespread damage was inflicted on the land forces. Concentrations of the enemy's enemy aircraft, runways and administrative 2ist Armoured Division in the Gabes area and buildings, and the effect in reducing enemy air transport on roads near Katena were heavily at­ activity at the time of the intensive operations of tacked by ten Halifaxes and 51 Wellingtons, the the AWied air forces recounted in the following target areas being illuminated by Albacores. pages cannot be over-emphasised. • While these air attacks were taking place, our Frontal Attack on the Mareth Line land forces in tue northern sector maae a further During the night 20/21st March a full-scale auvance and succeeded in occupying Ouerzi Est attack was launched by the VHIth Army against and Ouerzi Ouest. During the night our out­ the enemy's northern positions between the road flanking force also met witn success and succeed­ and the sea. The assault was preceded by an air ed in piercing the enemy's defences between the attack delivered by eleven Hal^faxes and 45 Wel­ Ujebels Tebaga and Melab. lingtons, with Albacore illumination, on enemy The Enemy Resists concentrations and encampments along the road west of Mareth as far as Katena. Fourteen fires The enemy's anticipated counter-attacks were and three violent explosions were caused and duly launched on 22nd March. The attack at several of the Wellingtons added to the effect the northern end of the Mareth line was carried of the bombing by low-level machine-gunning. out mainly by his mobile reserve (the 15th Ar­ Our ground attack met with initial euccess and moured Division), his last reserve of German in­ during the following day, 21st March, in spite of fantry, and elements of the 90th Light Division. strong enemy opposition, a bridgehead was es­ Bitter fighting ensued but eventually the enemy tablished over the Oued Zigzaou, the natural succeeded in re-taking the Ouerzi Est and Ouerzi anti-tank obstacle in front of the enemy's main Ouest positions. Our out-flanking force was also positions. Meanwhile, a subsidiary attack had held up by German armour, supported by 88 mm. been launched by a mobile force, composed prin­ guns, fifteen miles south-west of El Hamma. cipally of New Zealand troops, which moved The Allied light bombers were unable to operate round the enemy's west flank and by the evening on the morning of 22nd March owing to bad wea­ of 21st March had reached the enemy's line of ther and low cloud. With the improvement in defences between the Djebel Tebaga and the Dje­ the weather in the afternoon, however, three bel Melab. successful attacks were delivered by a total of The Western Desert Air Force threw in the 53 Bostons, Baltimores and U.S. Mitchells, es­ full weight of the light bomber squadrons in sup­ corted by Spitfires and U.S. Warhawks, on enemy port of the vnith Army's frontal attack. Ten concentrations near Zaret which were massing to attacks were delivered on 21st March by 72 Bal­ stem our frontal attack. The enemy's air effort timores, 54 Bostons and 54 U.S. Mitchells, escort­ was also more intensive than formerly. Enemy ed by 139 Kittyhawks and 96 U.S. Warhawks, on fighters attacked two of our bomber formations enemy concentrations between Katena and Ma­ and in the ensuing combats escorting U.S. War- reth. Targets were far more plentiful than on hawks probably destroyed two ME.109s and da­ the previous day and the attacks were of great maged three ME.109s and a MC.202. Our bomb­ help in "softening" enemy opposition. Numerous er casualties included a U.S. Mitchell which fail­ direct hits were scored on enemy positions and ed to return and a S.A.A.F. Baltimore shot down fires and explosions were caused among vehicle by anti-aircraft fire. concentrations. Few enemy aircraft were en­ Meanwhile, a group of 40 tanks, armoured countered during these operations and only one cars and transport vehicles, menacing our out­ attempt, which proved unsuccessful, was made flanking force south of Hamma landing ground, to interfere with our bombing programme. Con­ was bombed by twelve escorted Kittyhawk­ sidering the scale and effectiveness of the air bombers and the attacks were continued by eight­ attacks casualties were light: a Kittyhawk and een Hurricane IIDs, escorted by Spitfires and a U.S. Warhawk failed to return and another Kittyhawks. The flying "tin-openers" had their Kittyhawk crashed. most successful day to date: hits were scored on In the enemy's immediate rear, also, to help 32 tanks, nine of which were destroyed, and four our out-flanking attack, U.S. Warhawks bombed armoured cars and an, 88 mm. .gun' were also hit. Mareth village under attack by S.A.A.F. light bombers. Three direct hits were scored on barrack buildings. S.A.A.F. Bostons en route to bomb Zarat.

S.A.A. F. Bostons over typical Tuni­ sian country, en route to Djebel Ter­ baga airfield. inemy fighters which attempted to dispute our three Halifaxes, and night-flying Hurricanes of mastery of the air over the battlefield received No. 73 Squadron carried out offensive reconnais­ short shrift from patrolling Spitfires. Two for­ sances from Mareth westwards. The following mations of ME. 109s were engaged with the result morning, transport vehicles and tanks massed that three enemy fighters were destroyed, two near Zaret, at the northern extremity of the probably destroyed and three damaged without Mareth Line, were most effectively bombed by loss to our aircraft. 78 Allied light bombers. This was the last big attack on the line proper; thereafter, the attacks The Frontal Attack Abandoned were switched to the Hamma area in order to give the fullest support to our out-flanking forces. During the night 22/23rd March, the enemy continued his counter-attack at the northern end Out-flanking of the Mareth Line of tne Mareth Line and succeeded in re-capturing most of his lost strong-points. While the land A great tactician is essentially an opportunist: lighting was in progress enemy transport con­ the Commander of the VHIth Army proved that centrations and encampments between Gabes and he was both by giving up his plan of- a frontal Mareth were attacked by 34 Wellingtons and ten attack immediately it was checked in favour Halifaxes near Katena, where a large fire giving of reinforcing his out-flanking force, thus turn­ oif clouds of black smoke was started among a ing its limited attack into a major assault. group of vehicles. Additional mobile forces were sent round the enemy's southern flank to the area south-west of Throughout the next day our land forces across Hamma, while an infantry force invested the the Oued Zigzaou stubbornly resisted the enemy's Hallouf and Kreddache passes, in order to secure onslaught which became ever-more vehement. a shorter supply-line, and moved north against The fullest support was afforded by the Western the Italians in the hill position at Toujane and Desert Air Force. Allied light bombers made ten Mutmata. To counteract our threat to his rear attacks on enemy concentrations in the Mareth the enemy moved his only mobile reserve behind area, comprising 166 effective sorties; escort was the Mareth Line, the 15th Armoured Division, provided by 136 U.S. Warhawks. Many large westwards. By the evening of 25th March, it fires accompanied by explosions were caused a­ was in reserve behind the 21st Armoured Division, mong enemy positions and groups of vehicles and which was blocking the passage between the a number of guns were silenced. One bomber Djebels Tebaga and Melab. In addition, further formation was attacked ineffectively by ME.109s Italian and German units were withdrawn from and the escorting Warhawks destroyed one of the Mareth defence zone to positions along the the enemy fighters. Meanwhile, enemy positions djebels themselves. south of Mareth were attacked by escorted Kittyhawk-bombers. While these land operations were in progress the Allied air forces concentrated on "softening" In order to weaken enemy resistance to the the enemy's opposition to our forces south of New Zealand outflanking force, 36 Kittyhawks Hamma and attacked enemy landing grounds in and 24 Spitfires effectively machine-gunned an the southern sector of the Tunisian battlefield. enemy strong-point south-west of Gabes, im­ mobilising about fifteen vehicles, including a On the 24th March, two most successful attacks troop-carrier, and inflicting casualties on troops. were delivered south of Hamma by escorted Kit­ At least six fires were ablaze in the area when tyhawk-bombers and Hurricane LCDs. In the the last of our aircraft left. first attack 47 Kittyhawks and twelve Hurricane IIDs, escorted by Spitfires, sent up in flames Spitfires carried out over 100 sorties on of­ four tanks and about twenty transport vehicles, fensive patrols between Mareth and Gabes, but and three armoured cars and fifty other vehicles there were only two indecisive engagements were damaged. In addition, two guns were with enemy fighters. silenced and their crews killed. In the second On the night of 23rd/24th March our bridge­ attack, seven "tank-busters", escorted by sixteen head across the Oued Zigzaou was given up and Spitfires, attacked a group of sixteen tanks and in consequence the frontal assault on the Mareth destroyed six of them. The widespread damage Line was abandoned. The. enemy's opposition was caused by these attacks was confirmed by our greatly helped by the wadi, which proved an ground forces. Our aircraft encountered intense unsurmountable obstacle. Apart from the dif­ flak, but the four Hurricanes and two Kitty- ficulty of negotiating its width — 250 feet — the hawks hit managed to make forced-landings wadi at this time held a stream 50 feet wide, and within our lines. efforts to build a causeway were frustrated by During the night, intensive bombing of the enemy machine-gun nests which had remained enemy's concentrations south-west of Hamma concealed in the banks. In consequence, the re­ and along the Hamma-Gabes road was carried inforcing and supplying of our troops across the out from dusk to dawn by nine Halifaxes, 65 uiner side became increasingly difficult. Wellingtons, 25 Bostons and 34 Baltimores. The While our troops were withdrawing across the target area was illuminated by Aibacores. Heavy Oued Zigzaou, the nightly bombing of enemy damage was inflicted on vehicle concentrations transport and encampments between Gabes and and fifteen large fires and numerous smaller ones Mareth was continued by 23 Wellingtons and were started. The next morning, 25th March, escorted R.A.F. and S.A.A.F. light bombers supplemented the ing by escorted light bom fittflJ attacks being made by the North-west African strength, which achieved surprise by their low Air Forces on the landing grounds at Sfax el approach. Thereafter, two and a half squadrons Maouh and north of Djebel Tebaga in order to of Kittyhawk-bombers were fed into the area limit enemy air opposition to the Western Desert every quarter of an hour. These aircraft were Air Force's great offensive planned for the briefed to bomb particular targets followed by morrow. the straffing of gun positions which constituted Meanwhile, Kittyhawks and U.S. Warhawks a menace to our armour. Meanwhile, the Hurri­ continued their straffing of vehicles and encamp­ cane IIDs broke up the enemy's tank concen­ ments south-west of Hamma and in the Djebel trations. Tebaga area. In order to guard the fighter-bombers and Spitfires were on constant patrol throughout "tank-busters" from enemy interference a Spit­ the day. One formation of six Spitfires inter­ fire patrol, at one squadron strength, was main­ cepted about fifteen ME. 210s, escorted by a tained over the area of operations. Moreover, 'large number of ME. 109s, south-west of Gabes, as mentioned on page 40, the North-west African and forced most of the ME. 210s to jettison Tactical Air Force was engaged in attacking their bombs on their own troops; in addition, enemy landing grounds in the vicinity, in order one ME.210 was shot down and a ME. 109 damag­ to limit air opposition and create a diversion. ed. In other engagments, Spitfires destroyed Our air blitz came as a total surprise to the two ME. 109s and three MC. 202s and damaged enemy and the concentrated low bombing and one ME. 109. Three of our fighters failed to re­ straffing completely disorganised his defences. turn.. The forward elements of the VHIth Army were That night, 25/26th March, six Halifaxes, 59 thus able to capture the Axis strong-holds and Wellingtons, 40 Baltimores and 28 Bostons con­ our armour passed through the bottleneck un­ tinued the bombing of the enemy's concentrations molested. of tanks and vehicles south of El Hamma. Fif­ The evidence of prisoners of war and the great teen fires were started, some of which appeared quantities of war material abandoned by the to be petrol burning, and a number of explosions fleeing enemy bore witness to the extensive were caused. moral and material effect achieved. The complete air attack was carried out in the Epic Air Attack space of two and a quarter hours, during which time 412 sorties were flown at the cost of eleven Blitz methods were now necessary to blast a pilots missing. way through the bottle-neck between the Djebels Tebaga and Melab so that our land forces, which Advances in Southern and Central Sectors were superior in strength to the enemy, could be deployed in the open country beyond. Mention While the Mareth battle was in progress the has already been made of the heavy air attacks American ground forces in the southern sector, by night on the enemy's 15th and 21st Armoured which had occupied Gafsa and Zannouch, advanc­ Divisions in this area; it remains to be emphasis­ ed to Sened station and then continued to push ed that these succeeded not only in inflicting on to Maknassy. Simultaneously, an effort was widespread material damage but weakened the made to exploit eastwards from El Guettar. The enemy's will to fight by denying sleep to his two manoeuvres constituted a threat to Rom­ troops. mel's line of retreat to the north. The epic Western Desert Air Force's attack of In the central sector Allied forces advanced 26th March began in the afternoon with an north-east from Sbeitla on 26th March and oc­ onslaught by light bombers followed by concen­ cupied Fondouk, without serious opposition, on trated and continuous low bombing and straffing the 27th. During the following days, however, by Kittyhawk-bombers and Hurricane "tank­ the enemy's resistance in this sector stiffened. busters". Aircraft operating under Advanced Headquar­ ters Tactical Air Force gave extensive support As the country was exceedingly difficult for to the Allied ground forces. On 23rd March, navigation a scheme of indentification was devis­ nineteen missions, comprising 336 sorties, were ed which included the sending up of coloured flown in the Kairouan, Maknassy, Mezzouna and smoke from a striking land-mark throughout the El Guettar areas. In particular, road transport period of the attack. Simultaneously, our for­ near Maknassy and east of El Guettar was ef­ ward troops sent up smoke of another colour. fectively straffed and 90 U.S. escorted Bostons Then, for the first few minutes of the air .blitz and eighteen escorted Mitchells added to the our artillery shelled the enemy's principal strong- weight of these attacks and bombed enemy troops points with smoke shells in order to indicate and transport concentrations. them to the fighter-bombers. Half an hour after the air attack had begun our artillery fired a The following day, attacks were continued in heavy barrage which crept forward at the rate the above-mentioned areas and also extended to of 100 feet per minute, thus automatically de­ Fondouk, 378 sorties being carried out. The at­ fining the bomb line. tacks. iasJudadf-an ,^cor,ted Boston attack on Barracks at Gabes wer-e bombed in support of the Vlllth Army's advance. Inset shows area before bombing.

88 mm. gun positions in the El Guettar area; the Djebel Tebaga landing grounds while the three guns were put out of action. Western Desert Air Force blitzed the enemy at On 25th March, fighters and fighter-bombers El Hamma. operated at full pressure, bombing and straffing vehicles and troop concentrations. The next day, Mareth Line Evacuated apart from the shooting up of transport around The concentrated attack of the Western Desert Maknassy, the main effort was directed against Air Force on 26th March on the enemy forces astride tne runnel leading to El Ham extended that night to enemy concentra and armoured and around Gabes town. Five Halifaxes and \g days they Wellingtons carried out the attack and hits were Oued el Akarit. scored on barrack blocks, fuel installations, rail­ The enemy forces retreating northward from way sidings and transport on the main road. Gabes on the 29th were subjected to heavy bomb­ Five fires, described as "good", were started in ing and straffing attacks by a total of 418 the area. One Wellington failed to return. R.A.F. and S.A.A.F. Kittyhawks and U.S. War- hawks and 36 escorted, R.A.F. and S.A.A.F. Bos­ The following day our armour drove the 21st tons and Baltimores.. Damage was inflicted on Armoured Division up to El Hamma, and an transport vehicles as far north as Mahares and enemy counter-attack from the south-east, fires were caused all along the road. At least launched by the 15th Armoured Division, was 50 vehicles were destroyed and 270 damaged and beaten off by another of our armoured brigades six anti-aircraft posts were wiped out. Attacks following up. The German 164th Light Divi­ were also made on landing grounds between sion attempted to stop the advance of our in­ Oudref and Sfax, in the course of which three fantry but at length withdrew to the north-east, aircraft were destroyed and six damaged on the after suffering heavy casualties. ground. Four Kittyhawks and three U.S. War- Unfavourable weather restricted the Western hawks did not return from these intensive ope­ Desert Air Force's activity during the day, but rations. Kittyhawk-bombers made three bombing and During the day, also, escorted Baltimores and machine-gun attacks on enemy transport vehicles U.S. Mitchells made two heavy attacks on the on the road between El Hamma and Gabes. Sfax el Maouh and Zitouna landing grounds, Spitfires patrolled the Gabes area throughout causing seven large fires. One U.S. Mitchell was the day. A formation of JU.88s was intercept­ shot down by anti-aircraft fire. ed near Gabes and forced to jettison its bombs Meanwhile, patrolling Spitfires, which included on enemy territory; two JU.88s were destroyed the Polish Flight, had a very successful day, and three damaged. In another encounter the shooting down six ME.109s, two MC.202s and one Spitfires destroyed one ME.210 and damaged four JU.88 and damaging five other aircraft without others. Three Spitfires were lost. loss. That night, 27/28th March, under cover of a thick haze which prevented air operations, the Attacks on Sfax el Maouh Airfield enemy evacuated the Mareth Line. The enemy's By 30th March enemy vehicles had become well 15th and 21st Armoured Divisions took up posi­ dispersed; accordingly, the main attacks of the tions south-east of El Hamma to screen the eva­ Western Desert Air Force were directed against cuation. Sfax el Maouh, the enemy's principal airfield be­ On 28th March, our troops occupied the whole hind the Oued el Akarit defences. Three attacks Mareth Line and part of our armour advanced were made by a total of 71 Allied light bombers, towards Gabes from the south-west. Meanwhile, escorted by Spitfires and U.S. Warhawks. Se­ the enemy held on resolutely at El Hamma. veral aircraft were seen burning on the ground but observation, in the main, was prevented by Continued bad weather, including sand storms, low cloud. limited our air activity to a few fighter-bomber attacks on enemy vehicles between El Hamma During that night the attacks were continued and Gabes in support of the thrust by our ar­ by 45 Wellingtons, with Albacores acting as moured forces. Later in the day, when the "path-finders"- Fifty fires were caused which weather improved, fighter-bomber attacks were were visible for eighty miles. made on transport vehicles withdrawing north­ On 31st March, further attacks were delivered by wards from Gabes. escorted S.A.A.F. Bostons, R.A.F. and S.A.A.F. Baltimores, and U.S. Mitchells; several air­ Rommel Retreats to Oued el Akarit craft were destroyed on the ground. Two U.S. Mitchells hit by the intense flak encountered During the night 28/29th March the enemy over the target came down in the sea off Djerba rear-guard at El Hamma was withdrawn and island. After mid-day, bad weather prevented Rommel's forces in the Gabes area retreated further operations from being carried out against northwards for seventeen miles to his next delay­ the airfield. ing position at Oued el Akarit. Towards dawn the weather cleared sufficiently Re-occupation of Sedjenane to enable operations to be carried out by four Meanwhile, in the northern sector, an attack Halifaxes and 48 Wellingtons, assisted by flare- in considerable strength was launched by the 1st dropping Albacores. Enemy transport concentra­ Army against the enemy's positions north-east tions from Oudref, twelve miles north-west of of Djebel Abiod on 28th March. Although pro­ Gabes, right up to 8fax were attacked. Targets gress was difficult owing to bad weather, heavy were described as "excellent" and ten large fires going and thick undergrowth an' advance of ten were caused among vehicles. miles was made on a broad-front arid Sedjenane on 30th tacked, a convoy of four M/Vs and two escort was re-occupied by our groun v^ss^ls and 24 x 500 lb. demolition bombs were Owing to the adverse weather?*- conditions air dropped from heights of 750 to 150 feet. One operations in this sector were limited. Whenever M/V was set on fire and near misses were scor­ possible, however, Spitfires carried out offensive ed on one of the escort vessels. On the 22nd/ sweeps but ground attacks were restricted. fifteen U.S. escorted Marauders bombed a large troopship, three medium-sized M/Vs and sb War of Supplies Continued escort vessels from heights of 7,500 feet to.3,500 While the Allied forces were achieving suc­ feet. Direct hits were scored on the troopship cesses in all sectors of the Tunisian battlefield which caused an explosion and left it in flames the air attacks on the enemy's supply lines con­ and listing, and direct hits were also scored on tinued unabated. one M/V and one escort vessel. During botjf During the last week in March the principal these shipping attacks interception was attempt­ attacks on the enemy's ports of off-loading were ed by formations of enemy aircraft; in all, sixteen made by U.S. escorted Fortresses of the N.W. ME.109s, two JU.88s and an unidentified Italian African Strategic Air Force. On 23rd March, 22 fighter were claimed as destroyed by the U.S. Fortresses, escorted by U.S. Lightnings, at­ American bombers and fighters. tacked Bizerta and bursts were observed on the In the meantime, aircraft of the Coastal Air docks on both sides of the channel, on quays and Force were dealing with enemy submarines. On in the town; in addition, near misses were scored 28th March, a Hudson sighted a U-boat at peri­ on a ship in the lake. In air combats with enemy scope depth and attacked with three depth charges fighters over the target three ME. 109s were which forced the U-boat to the surface. Two destroyed and three others damaged for the loss 100 lb. A.S. bombs were then dropped which blew of one U.S. Lightning. On the following day, the submarine fifteen yards broadside to star­ the U.S. Fortresses turned their attention to board. When last observed the submarine was Ferryville where 250 x 500 lb. bombs were unable to submerge and was progressing at about dropped on the docks, causing many fires and five knots. explosions. A report from a reliable ground source stated that three vessels, one of which Heavy attacks on Sardinian Airfields had a cargo of ammunition, were sunk. On 25th On the last day of March heavy attacks were^ March, Sousse was bombed by 22 U.S. Fortresses, made by the Strategic Air Force on the enemy's' escorted by U.S. Lightnings. Apart from the airfields in Sardinia, from which Italian and Ger­ damage done to the jetties, hits were scored on man torpedo-bombers and JU.88 bombers sallied a large ship at the south quay and a smaller out to attack our convoys and ports and enemy vessel was sunk in the harbour. Other attacks fighters provided protection for convoys to Bizer­ on enemy bases included one on bomb and fuel ta and Tunis. storage installations at Groubalia, south-east of Tunis, on 26th- March by 12 U.S. Mitchells, but The attack on Decvmomannu by sixteen poor visibility on this occasion prevented the Wellingtons on the night 30/31st was followed observation of results. on the next day by attacks on that airfield and those at Monserrato and Villacidro by a total of Attacks were also continued on the main 68 Fortresses, which dropped 9,072 x 20 lb. frag­ Sicilian and Sardinian supply ports. On 22nd mentation bombs. Photographs taken during the March, U.S. escorted Fortresses supplemented raids showed that 44 aircraft were destroyed or the Libyan-based bombers' offensive against badly damaged on Decimomannu airfield, twelve Palermo mentioned on page 20. 287 x 500 lb. at Monserrato and one at Villacidro. In addi­ bombs were dropped and bursts were observed tion, thirteen enemy fighters were shot dowfffl among ships in the-harbour; one burst, in parti­ by the American formations over the targets. cular, caused an explosion which was felt by the bombers at 24,000 feet. Photographs taken Beginning of the End in Tunisia two days later confirmed that tremendous damage By the end of March it was evident that the had been inflicted on port installations. On 31st Tunisian campaign was about to enter its final March, docks and shipping at Cagliari harbour phase. The Vlllth Army had pursued Rommel's were attacked by 24 U.S. Fortresses, which drop­ forces to the Oued Akarit;. in the El Guettar and ped 288 x 500 1b. (.021 to 1 second delay) bombs central sectors American and French troops were from 23,000 feet. Photographs taken by the increasing their pressure on enemy positions bombers revealed that two large M/Vs were set which were rapidly becoming untenable; in the on fire, three more M/Vs and a coaster received north, the 1st Army was ready for a trial of direct hits, and damaging near misses were scor­ strength with the forces of Von Arnim. ed on nineteen small craft. The dock area was well covered with bursts and a large explosion To a great extent the imminence of victory occurred in the north-west corner of the harbour. was due to the varied and intensive operations of the Allied air forces. A mighty air arm had The most successful attacks, on enemy CJ been forged which was ready not only to play in the latter half of its full part in the final struggle in Tunisia, but 20t to strike heavier and heavier blows at the south­ ern bastions of Hitler's European "fortress." Palermo docks and shipping under attack on 22nd March, 1943. The force of this explosion at Palermo on 22nd March was felt by the aircraft at 24,000 feet. Results are slioivn on page 71.