REMNANTS OF NAZI PANZERS TRAPPED

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

REMNANTS OF NAZI PANZERS TRAPPED

ALLIES CLOSING IN German Divisional General Captured At Tobruk U-P-A. and British Wireless. Rec. 1 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 30. The authoritative view in London is that the stubborn and confused battle in Cyrenaica is crystallising. The remains of three Axis armoured divisions are concentrated in one force, which is fighting fiercelv, and so far unsuccessfully, to break out of the line of Imperial troops closing in from the east, south and west. Meanwhile, British patrols have cut the coast road south cf Bengasi.

A Cairo communique states that after a temporary lull vesterday morning, in which full advantage was taken of the position to improve communications between our forces in contact with the defenders of Tobruk, an intense battle again developed shortly after midday.

The remaining tank strength of two German armoured divisions, with an Italian armoured division in support, made a further attempt to break westward through the defended localities held by British and New Zealand troops in the area about Sidi Rezegh and Bir el Hamed (about five miles north of Sidi Rezegh).

The 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 the operations is General von Ravenstin. general officer commanding the 21st Panzer Division, together with 10 other officers and 600 Germans of other ranks.

Von Ravenstin commanded a 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 division in North Africa, and this was later converted into the 21st Division. Von Ravenstin was taken east of Tobruk. and is now lodged safely in Tobruk.

Attack on German Rear

In the meanwhile British columns brought north-west from the frontier areas 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 was effectively bombed.

The situation In Libva can be regarded as distinctly hopeful and encouraging, said the militarv spokesman at Cairo. The Germans have failed to penetrate the British infantry positions on any front. The enemy's entire .emaining tank strength has launched its latest attack.

According to a communique these tanks are supported by armoured cars and innumerable motor transports. Our field guns and anti-tank batteries bore the brunt of the attack until our armoured formations were rushed up. They charged the Axis flank and prevented the advance.

Our infantry attacks against infantry in the rear of the panzers, states the communique, "were quite successful." Prisoners include members of both German panzer divisions. J

Indians continue to mop up , e remnants of Axis forces in the frontier area. "We are sticking to Uie objective and hunting their tanks wherever thev are and, until we have destroyed the last tank, we won t think of anything else." Fierce Fighting Continues Describing Friday's fighting in the district to the south-east of Tobruk. where the British and New Zealand forces are gradually widening and extending the corridor, the nulitary spokesman at Cairo said it was ae heavy as any so far. German tank forces, which were scattered on •November 27, were reassembled the next day. Yesterday remnants of the division were seen moving westward, where they were again attacked bv our forces. In the evening the battle was still going on. The German force was picked up by the R_A.F ic me morning and heavily bombed a! day. East of Tobruk our forces cai> tured an important stronghold which was garrisoned mainly by Italians. In the frontier area the Indian Division is gradually extending its hold * over the defended locality. AIR SUCCESSES FRENCH IN ACTION R.A.F. Heavily Bombs Axis Communications BritlSU Ofllclal wareSess. Rec. 2 p.m. RUGBY. Nov. 3d. Free French headquarters states uiat the Lorraine Squadron, which is operating in the Libvan offensive under the command of Air ViceMarshal Coningham, effected a particularly heavy and successful raid on a German column with tanks on November 23. The column, which was accompanied by about 100 tanks, was observed to the south of Tobruk. It was successfully attacked by Free French bombers, and 30 firman tanks were destroyed. As a result of this attack British military units in the vicinity were able to conclude successfully an operation as planned, and the British commander sent congratulations to the Free French forces.

The work of the squadron has been mentioned three times in official Middle East communiques. It is commanded by Commandant Cor-nighlion-Moliner, who at the age of 16 was the youngest pilot of a fighter machine in the last war.

An R.A.F. Middle East communique states: "Bomber and fighter aircraft of the R.A.F. attacked motorJsed forces in the El Adem and Sidi Rezegh areas yesterday. Numerous fires broke out in various groups of enemy motor transport and tanks, while bombs were seen to burst among tents and storage dumps. "In aerial combats over the battle area one G.H.O. and an unidentified ail-craft were shot down, and others were severely damaged. Moles, shipping and stores at Bengasi were again heavily attacked during Friday night. Direct hits were obtained on two ships, and large fires broke out on quays and on the Italian and Cathedral moles.

"A successful raid was made on aerodromes at Castel Benito. The bombs, which fell among dispersed aircraft, destroyed one bomber and damaged others. Fires were started near hangars. From these and other operations all our aircraft returned safely."