NAVY MASSING

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 194, 18 August 1942, Page 5

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.