NAVY MASSING
FLEET AT GIBRALTAR
Important Convoy Expected
To Leave
United Press Association—Copyright Rec. 1.30 p.m. LONDON, Aug. 17.
Observers in La Linea, on the mainland adjacent to Gibraltar, state that the arrival of a number of British warships at Gibraltar has increased the fleet in the harbour to three battleships, four aircraft-car-riers, four cruisers, 26 destroyers, 12 torpedo boats and six submarines.
The Vichy radio said the concentration of warships at Gibraltar will, it is believed, escort a "very important" convoy which will be leaving shortly.
The Breslau radio declared that the aircraft-carriers Illustrious and Furious, one battleship and seven destroyers are being repaired at Gibraltar. The bridge of the Illustrious and one twin turret are completely smashed.
AXIS HARASSED
Air Activity Predominates In
The Desert
EXEMY FIGHTERS THWARTED British Official Wireless Rec. 1 p.m. RUGBY, Aug. 17. The Middle East communique states: "On Sunday night our patrols were active on the whole front. Enemy positions and working parties were attacked and harassed in the northern and central sectors. "Yesterday land operations were confined to artillery exchanges. There was some air activity in the battle area when enemy fighters unsuccessfully attempted to intercept our light bombers during attacks on transport. We continued our air attacks on enemy shipping off the North African coast, direct hits being scored on lighters."
The enemy on the north sector of the El Alamein front is intensifying his attempts to "shadow box" against the Bth Army patrols, possibly to divert attention from other places, says Reuter's correspondent on the El Alamein front. Empire troops on the north sector are carrying out foot patrols by night arid mechanised patrols by day.
The enemy on this sector has recently adjusted his line on higher ground nearer the coast, using lowgrade Italian and German troops as positional infantry. There is speculation whether the enemy preparations in the'north are not a disguise for attacks on the central and southern sectors. An Italian officer taken prisoner on the southern sector told of the arrival of new Italian and German personnel.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19420818.2.51.8
Bibliographic details
Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 194, 18 August 1942, Page 5
Word Count
341NAVY MASSING Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 194, 18 August 1942, Page 5
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Auckland Star. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Auckland Libraries.