DESERT CAPTURE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 41, 27 November 1942, Page 3

DESERT CAPTURE

THE BRITISH AT AGEDABIA. RAPID ADVANCE BY TANKS. UPSETTING OF GERMAN PLANS. (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright). (Rec. 11.10 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 26. An account of the Btli Army’s capture of, Agedabia has reached London. Delayed messages from correspondents say that the Germans clearly planned to hold the town at least for some days but according to statements by prisoners the speed of our advance surprised them. They had mined the area and thrown a strong anti-tank gun screen around the town, with about 12 tanks and an armoured car force behind the screen. Our Sheridan tanks and 25pounders quickly, got into position and a furious gun duel raged all day until darkness, wlien the enemy began to fall hack, leaving a train of wrecked vehicles and bodies along the desert road. I Our advance elements are now harrying tho German rearguards, -'who ate withdrawing rapidly toward Marasbrega, 24 miles- from El Aglieila and the beginning of the El Aglieila defences. Allied tanks which took part in the operation at Agedabia advanced 600 miles in 13 days. ‘

Marshal Rommel has been getting reinforcements, especially aircraft, and it is clear that tho enemy will make a stand at El Agheila. The Axis forces are rigging in behind concrete on a narrow front, with the sea on one side and swamps protecting the either flank. While he is fortifying this bottle-neolc as fast as possible, Marshal - Rommel’s rearguard is playing for time and the Allied forces are engaging the enemy. Correspondents state that General Sir Bernard Montgomery is rushing up heavy guns, and they add a reminder that the military position at El Agheila is very like that at El Alamein, where the Bth Army smashed through Rommel’s defences. It was the use of heavy guns that was so important in the Allied break-through at El Alamein.

The'correspondent of the “New Yprk Times” with the Bth Army says: “Captured Germans in the Benghazi area declared that the news of the British and American advance in Tunisia had become, widespread, enabling the German troops to realise , the desperate Axis military position in North Africa. The prisoners said they reasoned things out, seeing that their opponenfs were closing in on two sides, and decided to surrender at the first opportunity. They suggested that many more would inevitably take the same view:”