GAINS BY N.Z. TROOPS

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23495, 25 November 1941, Page 7

GAINS BY N.Z. TROOPS

Drive to South Of Gambut SOLLtJM DEPRIVED OF WATER (Received November 24, 7 p.m.) (U.P.A.) LONDON, Nov. 23. It is officially announced that. New Zealand forces in the Western Desert, after taking Fort Capuzzo, have pushed on and occupied the port of Bardia, which the Italians evacuated. The New Zealanders have also cut the important water pipeline from Bardia to Solium. They are now at a point south of Gambut, 18 miles west of Bardia. The capture of Gambut would deprive the Axis of a big fuel supply centre and also of one of Libya’s best aerodromes. Major-General P. J. Mackesy, writing in the “Daily Telegraph,” says: “The New Zealanders’ capture of Fort Capuzzo constitutes a great feat of arms, involving the complete encirclement of this strongpoint in the rear of the Halfaya and Sidi Omar positions.” The New Zealanders encircled Fort Capuzzo on the first day of the battle, after crossing the frontier immediately south of Fort Capuzzo, says the Cairo correspondent of “The Times.” Indian troops at the coastal end of •»the line simultaneously crossed the frontier and got behind the enemy’s forts north of Capuzzo. There is apparently not much left behind at Solium, except a fair amount of supplies which are of no use to the Germans because they are unable to get them where they are wanted. A communique from British General Headquarters in Cairo states: “The of gravity of the main tank "between British and* German ai.uTOred forces now appears to be about Sidi Rezegh. Throughout the night the battle continued without cessation, and it is continuing this morning. Rapid Gains ‘‘Meanwhile, New Zealand forces, in the face of exceptional climatic difficulties, continued .yesterday their advance from their initial positions west of Sidi Omar. Rapidly capturing Sidi Azeiz and Fort Capuzzo, these forces pushed on westwards round the TrighFort Capuzzo road. By yesterday evening they had reached positions south of Gambut, leaving a detachment to occupy Bardia, which was reported clear of the enemy. “While these operations were proceeding. Indian troops captured Sidi Omar and Nuovo and are gradually extending the area of their penetration in the rear of defensive positions held betwen Halfaya Pass and Sidi Omar. “Continuing their advance against opposition, British forces from Tobruk again captured many hundreds of prisoners, of which 50 per cent, are Gormans. “Continuous air support was given by our air forces throughout the day. Low-flying bomber and fighter attacks were made on enemy tanks, armoured fighting vehicles, and motor transport, much damage being inflicted.”