Guns and vehicles of the British Royal Artillery
Regiment on the road to Tunis during the last
phase of the war in Africa

April 22
Africa, Tunisia
The British First Army and US II Corps prepare to breach the series of interlocking strongpoints across the high ground above the approaches to Tunis. The First Army attacks between Medjez-el-Bab and Bou Arada while the US II Corps farther north strikes toward Mateur and Bizerta. The main thrust is made by the First Army's V Corps along a direct line toward Tunis from Medjez-el-Bab. To achieve this, they have to capture two major Axis positions on the high ground at Peter's Corner and Longstop Hill along the Medjerda River.

April 26-30
Africa, Tunisia
The First Army's V Corps captures Longstop Hill and reaches Djebel Bou Aoukaz. From April 28-30 the Germans counterattack and take Djebel Bou Aoukaz. Meanwhile, the US II Corps fights a bitter battle to capture Hill 609. The First Army's advance is being blocked by protracted engagements against strong Axis positions. To achieve a breakthrough across the Medjerda Valley, the Eighth Army sends two divisions and a brigade to bolster the offensive.

April 28
Sea War, Atlantic
The Allied convoy ONS-5 begins a seven-day running battle against 51 U-boats. The convoy achieves considerable success despite the limited air support it receives. Seven U-boats are sunk and 17 damaged. The convoy loses 13 of its 42 ships.

April 30
Espionage, Britain
The British release a corpse, dressed as an officer and carrying false documents, into the Mediterranean Sea as part of a deception operation to divert German attention from Allied plans to invade Sicily. The corpse is recovered by the Germans, who find the false documents containing details of an Allied attack on Greece and Sardinia. As a result German reinforcements are sent to these areas.

prev | next