TANKS IN AGAIN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 134, 9 June 1942, Page 5

TANKS IN AGAIN

STRUGGLE RENEWED British Tactics To Wear Down Panzers United Press Association.—Copyright. Rec. 2 p.m. LONDON, June 8. The tank battle has been renewed round Devil's Cauldron. Both forces are pivoting on strong points some miles apart, Rommel having equipped the Axis strong point with artillery and anti-tank guns similar to Knightsbridge, says Reuter's correspondent in the Western Desert. Using his strong point for a forward base, Rommel apparently has decided to fight, the battle out in the area west of Knightsbridge.

Lieutenant-General Ritchie is trying to wear the panzers down without squandering the imperial tanks in senseless battering against the German strong point. imperial patrols suddenly stabbed out westwards from the Gazala-Bir Hacheim line, shaking up the Italian and German infantry who are holding the positions from which Rommel launched his offensive a fortnight ago.

Important tank losses have been inflicted on the enemy in the past two days. Ours have not been so large, though fairly heavy, but our replacement work is superior to the Germans'.

The Times Western Desert correspondent says the French ire imperturbabiy maintaining Bir Hacheim, where they are completely surrounded. 'i'hey have supplies sufficient for many days. Our mobile columns are- again roaming southwest of Bir Hacheim and almost to Rotunda Segnali, cutting off enemy supply columns and harassing outposts.

Italians Fire On Germans

An Ottawa message says Italian prisoners in Libya manned British anti-aircraft guns to shoot down German raiders. Wing Commander M. Loudon, a British hero of the Libyan campaign, vouches for this. He is on his way to New York, where he will be feted with other British and American war heroes. He said: "Some of our boys heard there were crack anti-aircraft gunners among a lot of Italian prisoners we had taken. Asked whether they would like to try their skill at popping at Jerry planes, the Italians jumped at the opportunity. Under close observation they were put at the guns guarding our rear line airfields. They were very good, too."