AXIS CLAIMS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 254, 27 October 1942, Page 3

AXIS CLAIMS

ALLIED attacks fail I Rec. 1.30 LONDON, October 26.1 The Italian communique states that renewed violent enemy attacks supported t>y armoured forces in Egypt, have failed. The number of enemy tanks destroyed was increased , to 104. I The Italians added: "Our assault) planes frustrated an enemy attempt to land troops in the rear of our lines in the Mersa Matruh area, and also forced numerous enemy motor barges carrying troops to turn back." An Italian submarine failed to return to its base. Part of the crew has been taken prisoner. The German communique claims that very heavy losses have been everywhere inflicted on the British in Egypt during a successful defence against heavy attacks. The communique repeats passages from the Rome communique referring to Egypt. The Vichy radio, quoting a German news agency message endorsed by the German High Command, said the German main lines on the Alamein front, had not been pierced. The Afrika Korps anticipated the new British assault, air reconnaissance having revealed that large British forces were concentrating on the southern and northern fringes of the front. The Vichy radio declared that Axis reserve troops in Egypt had not yet been engaged in the battle.