Imperial Troops Move From Tobruk

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23494, 24 November 1941, Page 5

Imperial Troops Move From Tobruk

BRITISH DRIVE DIVIDES GERMAN UNITS (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPXEIOHT.) (Received November 23, 11 p.m.) LONDON, November 23. According to agency messages from Cairo, the New Zealand forces in the Western Desert have occupied Fort Capuzzo, just over the Egyptian-Libyan frontier, and a few miles inland. The defenders of Tobruk are successfully fighting their way to join up with the Empire forces holding Rezegh, 10 miles southeast of the outer perimeter of the defences. This was announced in last night’s war communique from Cairo which confirmed optimistic views concerning the development of operations made in London yesterday. The communique states: “Centred in the triangle between Fort Capuzzo, Gadr Saleh, 45 miles south-east of Tobruk, and Rezegh, a heavy tank battle developed over the whole area throughout Friday. Taking full advantage of the tactical opportunity presented, General Sir Alan Cunningham interposed his main armoured forces between the principal tank concentrations to the east and the lesser one to the west. Repeated attempts by main German tank forces to break through to the west were defeated. “It has not yet been possible to assess the tank casualties on either side, but it is known that the enemy losses have again been greater than ours. “Meahwhile, British troops from Tobruk supported by important tank forces, which had gradually been introduced into the fortress over a period of many weeks by the Royal Navy, sallied out on Friday morning with the object of joining forces with our ' troops holding Rezegh. “By midday on Friday a heavily defended enemy locality three miles south-east of the perimeter defences, together with a smaller position nearby, had been captured, and by nightfall the Tobruk force was steadily making progress in the face of heavy opposition. “In the frontier area our movement to encircle the Axis forces holding a defended position between Halfaya and Sidi Omar developed satisfactorily throughout Friday. “Our air forces maintained their superiority over the enemy and our bombers gave support to the land battle by successful attacks on concentrations of enemy tanks and mechanical support. “To sum up, Friday saw a continuation of the heavy fighting which was to be expected after the German High Command in Africa had recovered from the shock of its original surprise. In all areas the situation is developing to our advantage though further intensive fighting is to expected before it will be possible to assess the full results of the heavy blow which has been dealt to the enemy in the opening phase of this campaign.”