ENEMY FALLS BACK

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23493, 22 November 1941, Page 9

ENEMY FALLS BACK

Frontier Posts By-Passed TWO-PRONGED THRUST (Received November 21, 8 p.m.) (U.P.A.) LONDON, Nov. 21. Under constant hammering from the Royal Air Force and harassed by the Royal Navy, the Germans and Italians are falling back along the coastal road in Libya. They face a dual threat, namely, a British turning movement from the region of Sidi Omar driving to Tobruk, and cutting off the Axis forces in the coastal area, and a drive from Jarabub in the direction of El Agheila to cut supplies and prevent a retreat to Tripoli. ■British forces crossed the frontier at Sheferzen, 10 miles south of Sidi Omar. This enabled them to bypass the strongly fortified frontier positions from the coast to Sidi Omar. From Sheferzen a fairly good road runs west to El Gubbi (Bir el Gobi). This is not likely to be seriously affect-

Ed oy rain. A road runs also from Jarabub to El Agheila. It is in the south that the British initial advance has been faster than last year’s, largely because of British supremacy in no man’s land. The “Daily Mail” says that General Cunningham’s forces are still advancing without serious opposition. German Eanzer forces in the triangle formed y Sidi Omar, Gambut, and Solium are withdrawing as fast as possible. The extent of the withdrawal is unknown, but it must be on a large scale; presumably to the district south of Tobruk, News that an Italian division south of Tobruk has already begun to retire seems to indicate that the siege of Tobruk has been raised to a great extent. The correspondent of the “Daily Ext press" with the Bth Army says: “In a huge series of concentric lines the British forces are closing on enemy positions like Solium and Sidi Omar and the lines round Tobruk. General von Rommel’s two vital armoured units are between Bardia and Tobruk, and there is evidence that he may be drawing off his forces from the frontier direction and Tobruk. Wherever he goes we are pursuing him to force him into battle.’’ The correspondent adds: “Don’t expect the immediate collapse of heavily fortified places like Halfaya. We are already behind them, but for days the battle will be extremely fluid.” NEW ZEALANDERS IN ACTION Effect of Heavy Rains On Desert NURSES NEAR THE FRONT LINES (Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) CAIRO, November 20. New Zealand, South African, and Indian troops fight side by side in the Western Desert, as the Bth Army’s desperate effort to drive the Germans and Italians for ever out of Africa develops. Once again New Zealanders are in the thick of the fray. They may play a highly important and possibly vital part in the victory so confidently expected in this theatre of war. Heal and sandstorms gave way to an Auckland summer deluge as the troops of the Bth Army advanced for the first thrust into Libya. The rain, which turned the desert into a treacherous waste for tanks and motor transport, drenched the troops as the New Zealanders carried out the approach march between 8 and 9 o’clock on Monday night. By three the next morning this extraordinary desert downpour had ceased, and the New Zealanders were at the starting point. On they went, and with the rainclouds scurrying away in the eastern sky, the New Zealanders, with their supports, crossed the Libyan frontier about an hour after dawn. Only Minor Contacts So far there has been only minor contact with the enemy, mainly with tanks. Reports from the forward areas state that about 200 Italian tanks and armoured transport are bogged in a defensive position south-east of Tobruk, and not far from the Libyan border. , New Zealand girls will play a major part in the Western Desert battle. For the first time in the history of war through the ages, nurses will take their place in hospitals near the front line. One of New Zealand’s three general hospitals is already operating near the forward areas. A message received from Mr Churchill was read to all ranks of the Army, the Royal Air Force in the Western Desert, and to the Mediterranean Fleet. MR FRASER’S MESSAGE ACTION FOLLOWED with INTENSE INTEREST (P A.) WELLINGTON, November 21. “New Zealand is deeply stirred by the news that our troops are on the march once more,” states the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser), m a message he has dispatched to MajorGeneral Freyberg. Mr’Fraser’s message continues: . “The progress of the action in. the days that lie ahead will be followed with intense interest and in the confident hope that the result will be worthy of the magnificent qualities of the New Zealand Division. On behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand, I wish you and the officers and men under your apmmand every success.” The following message has also been sent by Mr Fraser to the Commander-in-Chief, Middle East. General Sir Claude Auchinleck: “I wish to convey to General Cunningham and yourself a message from the Government and people of New Zealand, wishing every success in this vitally important campaign, which is being followed with intense interest, by the people of the British Commonwealth and their Allies.” Danish Minister Severs Relations.— The Danish Minister to Iran (Hr Fensmark) is reported in authoritative circles in London to have broken off relations with the German-controlled Government in Copenhagen. His action is stated to be based on the complete disregard shown by the Germans for the terms originally imposed, on Denmark. on their compelling the Danes to forego their political neutrality by recognising Croatia and Manchukuo, and above all by breaking off relations between Denmark and Russia.—London, November 20.