§ LORD ADDISONMy Lords, may I ask if His Majesty's Government have any statement to make on the progress of our arms in Tunisia?
THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (VISCOUNT CRANBORNE) (Lord Cecil)My Lords, I have good news for you. As my right honourable friend the Prime Minister has announced in another place this morning, he has received reports from the High Command in Tunisia that a new victory has been gained by the Desert Army. At half-past four yesterday morning, in the darkness of a moonless night, General Montgomery ordered his main forces to the assault of the Akarit position. The advance of the British and Indian Infantry Divisions was preceded and covered by a barrage of about 500 guns, which is practically the Alamein scale. The enemy appeared to be taken by surprise by this attack out of pitch darkness. His fortified positions were overwhelmed, and by noon all the dominant key points were in our hands. A hole had been blasted in the centre of the enemy's 12-mile defensive line, through which our armoured and mobile forces were immediately ordered 60 to advance. The enemy now fought with savage vigour to restore the situation, but all his counter-attacks were repulsed.
The advance of the British armour continued and by night-fall the open country had been reached. Over 6,000 prisoners have been taken so far. Rommel's Army is now retreating northward, and is being hotly pursued. This successful battle and frontal attack should enable the Desert Army to join hands with the United States forces who have been pressing the enemy unceasingly from the west. The whole of the operations of the group of Armies on the Tunisian Front are being concerted by General Alexander under the supreme command of the Allied Commander-in-Chief, General Eisenhower. I feel that your Lordships would wish me to give you this news as soon as possible.