GERMAN REVERSE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 17 November 1943, Page 5

GERMAN REVERSE

FIGHTING ON LEROS British And Italian Fprces Make Headway N.Z.P.A. and British Wireless Rec. 1.30 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 16. British forces on Leros in the Dodecanese have again joined up, and the Germans now hold only one bridgehead, which is east of Gurna Bay on the west coast, stated Algiers radio. The British and Italian troops, after a four days' battle, have greatly improved their positions against the Germans who were sent to reinforce the original force.

The enemy north-east of Leros gave ground and suffered considerable losses. British and Italian troops in counter-attacks, effectively supported by the R.A.F., captured numerous prisoners. Berlin radio admits that the Germans on Leros are now on the defensive, but claims that the British and Italian attempts to break the German bridgehead have failed.

•'Our forces on Leros in the Dodecanese were subjected to heavy and incessant bombing attacks from the air on Monday," states the Middle East yoint communique. "Our troops continue to hold the enemy. Fighting is severe. Middle East aircraft continued their attacks on enemy shipping in the Aegean area, and our positions on Leros, Crete and Rhodes during the day and night. Spitfires and Hurricanes carried out a sweep over Rhodes and attacked mechanical transport and anti-aircraft guns on Crete. "American bombers, escorted by British long-range fighters, encoun[tered two enemy destroyers escorted by Junkers 88 and an Arrado 19G near Leros. A hit on one vessel was followed by a large column of black smoke. "In an attack on Cato airfield, on Rhodes, on Monday night bursts I were seen on an aircraft dispersal area, and a red glow was observed. Heavy bombers scored bursts among the hangars on Maritza airfield, Rhodes. From these and other operations none of our aircraft is missing." A special naval communique issued at Alexandria states: "During recent I weeks Allied naval units have main-

tained constant patrols in the Aegean.' A number of successful attacks have been carried out against enemy shipping and landing craft and sup-' ply vessels. "Ports of enemy occupied islands have been bombarded on several occasions, a medium merchant ship and a number of small craft being destroyed. Bombardments have also been carried out in support of the garrison on Leros. The above operations have been conducted under frequent. air attack, and in spite of the] I enemy's local air superiority."