ARMOURED FORCES ACTIVE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 43, 1 December 1941, Page 5

ARMOURED FORCES ACTIVE

(United Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 10.25 a.m.) LONDON, November 30. The authoritative view in London is that the stubborn, confused battle in Cyrenaica is crystallising. The remains of the three Axis armoured divisions are concentrated in one force, which is fighting fiercely, and so far unsuccessfully, to break out or the fine of the Imperial troops closing in from the east, south and west. Meanwhile British patrols cut the coast road south of Benghazi. A Cairo communique states:“After a temporary lull yesterday morning, in which full advantage was taken of the position to imorove communications between our forces in contact with the defenders of Tobruk, an intense battle again developed shortly after mid-day. The remaining tank strength of two German armoured divisions, with an Italian armoured division m support, made a further attempt to break through defended localities held by British and New Zealand troops in the area about Sun Rezegh and Bir El Hamed (about five miles north of Sidi Rezegh). British armoured forces counter-attacked the German left flank and again the battle was brought to a standstill. By dusk fierce fighting was continuing.

“Among the prisoners captured in the present phase of operations is the general officer commanding the 21st Panzer Division, together with 10 other officers and 600 German other ranks.

“Meanwhile the British columns brought north-west from the frontier areas have successfully engaged the rear of the German attack, while further British and South African mechanised columns are clearing the country in all directions between the scene of the main battle and the Egyptian frontier. “In support of the ground troops our air forces again persistently and successfully attacked enemy concentrations in the area between El Adem and Sidi Rezegh. A number of other important targets were effectively bombed. “While the main battle was proceeding, mechanised British patrob succceeded in penetrating to the Cyrenaican coast between Jedabaya and Benghazi, where they intercepted and destroyed enemy mechanised transports."

The captured German divisional commander is believed to be Von Ravenstin, who commanded the regiment which played an important part in the crossing of the Meuse in May, 1940. In June, 1941, he was reported as commanding a light armoured panzer devision in North Africa, and this was later converted into the 21st Division.