Thrust To Coast South Of Bengasi

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 284, 1 December 1941, Page 7

Thrust To Coast South Of Bengasi

SUCCESSES IN LIBYA

N.Z.E.F. Preparing Massed Attack From Tobruk Corridor

(U.P.A. and British Official Wireless.—Rec. 1.15 p.m.) LONDON, November 30. While the main battle is proceeding, mechanised British patrols have succeeded in penetrating to the Cyrenaican coast between Jedabaya and Bengasi, where they intercepted and destroyed enemy mechanised transports. New ZeaHnders on the Tobruk Bridge" are fighting a stern battle against the Axis forces to the westward with the intention of launching a massed assault, says the Times Cairo correspondent. , Germans in Libya are now fighting with their backs to the wall fighting courageously and fiercely, but at the most with the hope of staving off utter defeat. The Italians, when free from rman domination, fight without conviction. . p l * roain action seems to be approaching its climax and end, but it continues to be a bloody fight, and both the English and Uerman casualties are much above last year's. Supplies after 12 days of fighting are playing a vital part. Our troops are 500 miles from Cairo and those of the enemy 300 from Bengasi and 1000 from Tripoli. Bengasi it believed to be no good for the disembarking of supplies. nr -i;l X , is u r » a S?°o a f a i- nSt the Briti ® h lines of communication is negligible, but the R-A.F. is constantly severely damaging supply bases and transport by land and convoys by sea. The extent of de»^ US « BUP, I C % m u' CBert ls , unknown - but one of the main depots, namely, Gambut, was early in our hands, and another, at Solium, was useless from the beginning. . -I;.-