BRITISH TAKE INITIATIVE

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23330, 16 May 1941, Page 9

BRITISH TAKE INITIATIVE

Attacks in Solium Area

ENEMY FORCED TO RETREAT

(Received May 15, 10 p.m.) (U.P.A.) .LONDON, May 15. The British have taken the initiative in the Western Desert after the failure of the Germans' five-pronged thrust from Solium, British mechanised forces are pressing home attacks •in the Solium area and are harassing enemy columns round Tobruk. The opinion is expressed in Cairo that the German thrust was designed to disorganise the growing British armoured patrol tactics. The blazing heat is increasing and is likely to militate against widespread operations. Enemy forces in North Africa have been pushed back to their old positions south and west of Solium. This Is reported in yesterday’s Cairo communique which states: “During a limited offensive operation carried out by our troops from Tobruk, two German medium tanks were destroyed and many casualties were inflicted on the enemy. In the Solium area the enemy has again withdrawn to his original positions south and west of Solium where he is being continuously harried by our mechanised patrols.* “In Abyssinia, in spite of road obstructions and other physical difficulties, our two forces converging on Amba Alaga are making satisfactory progress. In the lakes area south of Addis Ababa a further success has been gained by the capture of a strongly defended enemy position. The prisoners taken number 500. Two batteries of artillery, five light tanks and one anti-tank gun were also taken. “Our troops have also occupied Algi, an important post north of Yavello.On the Neghelli-Dale road the pursuit of the enemy is continuing. In an action an May 12, with the enemy rearguard which was driven back with heavy losses, our troops captured more than 100 prisoners.” A German spokesman In Berlin claimed that Italian and German forces had advanced their front line 45 miles into Egypt by a surprise thrust, starting from Solium on Monday, The front lines round Tobruk had also been advanced.

BOMBERS ATTACK ARK ROYAL

RECENT ACTION IN MEDITERRANEAN

LONDON, May 14.

The unsuccessful attacks by enemy aircraft on British warships in the Mediterranean between May 6 and 12 cost them seven bombers, and probably many others. The action Is described In a dispatch from a special correspondent aboard the aircraft-carrier Ark Royal. The number of direct hits claimed in Berlin and Rome varied between six and 10, but, in actual fact, no ship received .the slightest damage, and the claims have given the personnel a good laugh, for this grim eight hours’ battle ended in a great triumph for the ships. The enemy bombers, escorted by fighters, failed to score even a near miss.

When attacked, _ the ships were cruising between Sicily and Sardinia. Two torpedo attacks were made on the Ark Royal. Towards dusk, a last desperate torpedo attack was made, while 30 Stuka dive-bombers, escorted by fighters, were cruising in the clouds enviously intending to make an assault together.' . ~ Suddenly six British fighters dived among them, with machine-guns blazing Two Stukas crashed in flames into the sea, and two Others limped off with smoke pouring from their engines. Their formation completely broken Up, the remainder unloaded their bombs hurriedly into the sea and Only a quick and skilful turn saved the Ark Royal, when two torpedoes were seen coming towards her, but they sped past, one on either side of the ship. In the second attack, all held their breath as two more torpedoes came towards them, but they passed harmlessly to starboard. The officers of the Ark Royal have forgotten exactly how many times their ship has been sunk by Berlin and Rome, but she is still Intact. A broadcast from Rome states that the situation in the Mediterranean is rapidly changing in favour of the Axis.