Ocean Daily News 1943
Title
Ocean Daily News 1943
Description
Issue No 9, Thursday April 22, 1943, reports 8th Army offensive in Tunisia.
Creator
Date
1943-04-22
Temporal Coverage
Language
Type
Format
One printed newsletter
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Publisher
Rights
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Contributor
Identifier
PBlamiresRG22020039
Transcription
OCEAN DAILY NEWS
EDITORIAL OFFICE: MIDLAND BANK, “C” DECK – FORWARD EDITOR: CAPTAIN PETER JACKSON
No. 9 THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1943 ONE PENNY
EIGHTH ARMY OPENS UP OFFENSIVE IN TUNISIA
Heavy Battle Along 30-Mile Front
LONDON, Wednesday.
A statement from North African H.Q. announces that the Eighth Army launched an attack against the enemy in Tunisia on Monday night, and that a heavy battle continues.
The line of offensive extends along a front of 30 miles to a point 24 miles north of Sousse.
No definite news of the battle has yet been received, but it is believed that progress has been made in the initial action. For ninety minutes intense artillery fire prepared the way for the infantry, which advanced behind a creeping barrage and stormed the height which was their immediate objective in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
At 11.00 o’clock Tuesday night the guns of the Eighth Army opened up once again with a withering fire such as the enemy has come to dread.
Formidable obstacles confront our men. A high ridge of hills will have to be stormed – the toughest task our infantry has had to face in the whole campaign. The country is such that it can only be taken by hard slugging.
Once we have the first line we shall be faced with still stronger positions on the far side of the hills. These positions constitute the enemy's main line of defence, and it is not to be expected that we shall take them easily. If we can advance at the rate of 400 yards a day we shall be doing well.
The enemy has the advantage of strong positions and short lines of communication. The most seasoned German troops are holding the line and the entire German reputation is at stake in this action. The Eighth Army, however, is determined, as always, to go forward.
[break]
“TANK BUSTER” HURRICANES
Details have now been released of the “Tank Buster” Hurricane, which has been one of the best kept secrets of the past year. This machine carries two 40mm. cannons, one under each wing, the guns being too long to be carried inside.
It is the only single seater fighter to be so heavily armed. The guns weigh 350lbs each and fire shells weighing 2 1/2lbs., carrying a terrific punch.
One of these Hurricanes completely destroyed nine tanks recently. One hit in the right place is capable of putting a tank out of action.
[break]
HEAVY NAZI LOSSES ON RUSSIAN FRONT
In Russia, on the Kuban front, the Russians are being attacked day and night by German forces attempting to regain lost ground, but the Soviet defences are holding firm and the enemy has suffered heavy casualties. Russian guns have silenced a German battery.
There has been heavy fighting in the neighbourhood of Novorossisk during the last few days.
Kalinin is mentioned in the news for the first time for many weeks. The Russians captured a hill and 400 Germans lost their lives in an effort to repulse the Red attack.
[break]
ROOSEVELT IN MEXICO
President Roosevelt surprised his listeners when he broadcast on Tuesday night from Mexico.
In his speech he made it quite clear that no major problems existed between the two countries.
It was 34 years since the Presidents of the two neighbouring republics had met personally, and Mr. Roosevelt said he hoped in the future meetings would be more frequent.
President Camacho of Mexico said the progressive policy of the Mexican Government had made it clear that she must take her place with the United Nations in the fight against the menace of Nazism.
[break]
ENEMY LOSSES IN PACIFIC
In the south-west Pacific, another 6,000-ton enemy merchant ship has been sunk off the coast of New Guinea and a smaller ship was also hit and set on fire.
Fires were also started at the port of Wewack and several enemy aerodromes were attacked.
[break]
A limited number of women may now be enlisted in the Home Guard for duties such as cooking etc. Ages range between 18 and 65 and preference will be given to women who are ineligible for other war work.
[break]
INTENSE R.A.F. RAIDS ON TWO BALTIC PORTS
LONDON, Wednesday.
R.A.F. Halifax and Stirling bombers last night carried out intensive raids on the Baltic ports of Stettin and Rostock. The attack on Stettin was the heaviest yet made against that German port. In addition to its importance as the largest port on the Baltic Sea, Stettin has facilities for building small ships and for doing some submarine work. At Rostock the harbour works were bombed.
Mosquitoes were busy on a raid on Berlin and also laid mines in enemy waters.
From all these operations 31 of our bombers are missing.
Fighters took part in the greatest offensive ever made by Fighter Command when they were over Belgium, Holland and Germany yesterday, attacking trains, marshalling yards, factories and canal traffic. Fifteen locomotives were damaged.
Not one of our fighters was lost in these raids.
One fighter attacked six enemy trawlers off the coast of Holland and also bombed an E-boat. The first bomb struck about 50 feet from the vessel and stopped it, but the second bomb scored a direct hit and the boat disappeared.
There was some enemy activity over the coast of south-east England last night and slight damage was caused. There were also a few casualties.
[break]
[unrelated article]
NAZIS CONTINUE TO SHACKLE PRISONERS
LONDON, Wednesday.
In the House of Commons yesterday, Mr. Eden made a statement on the shackling of prisoners.
The Germans, he said, continued to shackle our men in spite of the fact that our officers and other ranks have been definitely instructed to observe the terms of the Geneva Convention in regard to the tying up of prisoners. Should it be necessary, temporarily, to secure prisoners, our men have been instructed that they must use the most humane measures possible in the circumstances.
The German reply to our protests has been received. Germany is not prepared to give any assurance that the shackling of prisoners will be discontinued until such time as the British will undertake that in no circumstances will German prisoners be restrained by binding or other similar means.
A further reply to the latest German statement is now being considered and will be submitted through the Swiss Government shortly.
[break]
[unrelated article]
[break]
[unrelated article]
EDITORIAL OFFICE: MIDLAND BANK, “C” DECK – FORWARD EDITOR: CAPTAIN PETER JACKSON
No. 9 THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1943 ONE PENNY
EIGHTH ARMY OPENS UP OFFENSIVE IN TUNISIA
Heavy Battle Along 30-Mile Front
LONDON, Wednesday.
A statement from North African H.Q. announces that the Eighth Army launched an attack against the enemy in Tunisia on Monday night, and that a heavy battle continues.
The line of offensive extends along a front of 30 miles to a point 24 miles north of Sousse.
No definite news of the battle has yet been received, but it is believed that progress has been made in the initial action. For ninety minutes intense artillery fire prepared the way for the infantry, which advanced behind a creeping barrage and stormed the height which was their immediate objective in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
At 11.00 o’clock Tuesday night the guns of the Eighth Army opened up once again with a withering fire such as the enemy has come to dread.
Formidable obstacles confront our men. A high ridge of hills will have to be stormed – the toughest task our infantry has had to face in the whole campaign. The country is such that it can only be taken by hard slugging.
Once we have the first line we shall be faced with still stronger positions on the far side of the hills. These positions constitute the enemy's main line of defence, and it is not to be expected that we shall take them easily. If we can advance at the rate of 400 yards a day we shall be doing well.
The enemy has the advantage of strong positions and short lines of communication. The most seasoned German troops are holding the line and the entire German reputation is at stake in this action. The Eighth Army, however, is determined, as always, to go forward.
[break]
“TANK BUSTER” HURRICANES
Details have now been released of the “Tank Buster” Hurricane, which has been one of the best kept secrets of the past year. This machine carries two 40mm. cannons, one under each wing, the guns being too long to be carried inside.
It is the only single seater fighter to be so heavily armed. The guns weigh 350lbs each and fire shells weighing 2 1/2lbs., carrying a terrific punch.
One of these Hurricanes completely destroyed nine tanks recently. One hit in the right place is capable of putting a tank out of action.
[break]
HEAVY NAZI LOSSES ON RUSSIAN FRONT
In Russia, on the Kuban front, the Russians are being attacked day and night by German forces attempting to regain lost ground, but the Soviet defences are holding firm and the enemy has suffered heavy casualties. Russian guns have silenced a German battery.
There has been heavy fighting in the neighbourhood of Novorossisk during the last few days.
Kalinin is mentioned in the news for the first time for many weeks. The Russians captured a hill and 400 Germans lost their lives in an effort to repulse the Red attack.
[break]
ROOSEVELT IN MEXICO
President Roosevelt surprised his listeners when he broadcast on Tuesday night from Mexico.
In his speech he made it quite clear that no major problems existed between the two countries.
It was 34 years since the Presidents of the two neighbouring republics had met personally, and Mr. Roosevelt said he hoped in the future meetings would be more frequent.
President Camacho of Mexico said the progressive policy of the Mexican Government had made it clear that she must take her place with the United Nations in the fight against the menace of Nazism.
[break]
ENEMY LOSSES IN PACIFIC
In the south-west Pacific, another 6,000-ton enemy merchant ship has been sunk off the coast of New Guinea and a smaller ship was also hit and set on fire.
Fires were also started at the port of Wewack and several enemy aerodromes were attacked.
[break]
A limited number of women may now be enlisted in the Home Guard for duties such as cooking etc. Ages range between 18 and 65 and preference will be given to women who are ineligible for other war work.
[break]
INTENSE R.A.F. RAIDS ON TWO BALTIC PORTS
LONDON, Wednesday.
R.A.F. Halifax and Stirling bombers last night carried out intensive raids on the Baltic ports of Stettin and Rostock. The attack on Stettin was the heaviest yet made against that German port. In addition to its importance as the largest port on the Baltic Sea, Stettin has facilities for building small ships and for doing some submarine work. At Rostock the harbour works were bombed.
Mosquitoes were busy on a raid on Berlin and also laid mines in enemy waters.
From all these operations 31 of our bombers are missing.
Fighters took part in the greatest offensive ever made by Fighter Command when they were over Belgium, Holland and Germany yesterday, attacking trains, marshalling yards, factories and canal traffic. Fifteen locomotives were damaged.
Not one of our fighters was lost in these raids.
One fighter attacked six enemy trawlers off the coast of Holland and also bombed an E-boat. The first bomb struck about 50 feet from the vessel and stopped it, but the second bomb scored a direct hit and the boat disappeared.
There was some enemy activity over the coast of south-east England last night and slight damage was caused. There were also a few casualties.
[break]
[unrelated article]
NAZIS CONTINUE TO SHACKLE PRISONERS
LONDON, Wednesday.
In the House of Commons yesterday, Mr. Eden made a statement on the shackling of prisoners.
The Germans, he said, continued to shackle our men in spite of the fact that our officers and other ranks have been definitely instructed to observe the terms of the Geneva Convention in regard to the tying up of prisoners. Should it be necessary, temporarily, to secure prisoners, our men have been instructed that they must use the most humane measures possible in the circumstances.
The German reply to our protests has been received. Germany is not prepared to give any assurance that the shackling of prisoners will be discontinued until such time as the British will undertake that in no circumstances will German prisoners be restrained by binding or other similar means.
A further reply to the latest German statement is now being considered and will be submitted through the Swiss Government shortly.
[break]
[unrelated article]
[break]
[unrelated article]
Collection
Citation
Captain Peter Jackson, “Ocean Daily News 1943,” IBCC Digital Archive, accessed September 10, 2026, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/collections/document/44867.