ADVANCE IN LIBYA

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23515, 18 December 1941, Page 5

ADVANCE IN LIBYA

British Drive To

Axis Rear

BATTLES IN THREE AREAS

(Received December 17, 11 p.m.) (U.P.A.-8.0.W.) LONDON, Dec. 17. British and Empire forces continue to advance in Libya. The main fighting has resolved itself into three areas—round Alem Jamza, 15 miles south-west of El Gazala, round El Olebam, 30 miles west of £1 Gazala, and round El Gazala itself. Lieutenant-General N. M. Ritchie’s armoured forces have carried out a wide flanking movement to the El Olebam region, where the engagement seems to be behind General von Rommel’s main forces. Bitter fighting is in progress. Round El Gazala itself Axis forces have been thrown back from the important aerodrome. It is pointed out in London that the British forces are now advancing more rapidly against the Germans and Italians than they advanced against the Italians alone early this year. The flanking movement 30 miles west of the enemy's main forces round El Gazala seriously threatens the communications of these forces along the coast to Derna. “A decision in Libya is drawing near,” says the military correspondent of “The Times.” “The Germans' are certain to continue to fight and it will not be an easy task to subdue them. It will depend not only on overcoming. the Germans’ resistance but On our ability to hold them in spite of lengthening communications, which are subject to constant air attack. However, the prospects of a decisive victory are probably better than at any previous time.” Yesterday’s communique from British General Headquarters in Cairo said: "In the general area south-west and west of El Gazala, ,our troops yesterday continued their steady advance in the face of resolute opposition and repeated counter-attacks by the German and Italian infantry, tanks, and air forces.

“About Alem Jamza, some 15 miles south-west of El Gazala, British and Indian troops attacked a defensive position held by strong elements of one German and three Italian divisions, supported by all the remaining German tank strength. After heavy fighting, during which the centre of the enemy position was penetrated, in spite of two determined counterattacks by German motorised infantry and tanks, progress was made. "The enemy supported his. counterattacks with his maximum available force of dive-bombers and other forms of air- attack, but our air forces effectively countered these activities. Thrust to Rear "Still further south-west and west, our armoured forces simultaneously carried out a wide outflanking movement, By yesterday evening they had reached El Olebam, some 30 miles west of El Gazala, from which area they were continuing their thrust against the enemy reserves and rear. “During the day our armoured forces not only inflicted many casualties, but also destroyed 300 tons of enemy ammunition. “In the El Gazala area itself operations continued against strong forces of the enemy entrenched between the sea and the escarpment. Here also satisfactory progress was made, in the face of resistance, at little cost to ourselves. “Up to yesterday the New Zealand troops engaged in this operation had captured a number of 75-millimetre Breda guns, many heavy machineguns, ammunition, and 1100 prisoners. They also shot down two enemy Aircraft, “Meanwhile, an enemy strong point south-west of El Gazala was attacked and captured by Polish troops. Some 200 additional prisoners were taken In this area. “In the frontier area South African troops continued offensive operations against the German and Italian detachments now isolated at Bardia and Halfaya. During the day one more enemy strong point was captured in the latter area. Enemy Air Attacks "During yesterday’s heavy fighting our air forces operating over the whole forward area rendered invaluable assistance in limiting the degree of enemy air interference with our ground troops. Enemy motorised transport colunms on the roads about El Tmimi and Derna were also heavily attacked, with good results. Further west, our air forces destroyed and damaged many lorries in a column carrying troops,” The Commander-in-Chief of the Middle East Forces (General Sir Claude Auchinleck) has sent a message to Lieutenant-General Ritchie paying tribute to the skill and vigour with which the operations in the Western Desert are being carried out. Yesterday’s Royal Air Force communique said: “Dust storms seriously curtailed activity in Libya yesterday. However, our fighter aircraft were active over the El Gazala, El Tmimi, and Gadr El Ahmal zones, and machine-gun attacks were made on motor transport on the Ghemines-El Agheila road. “During Sunday night Royal Air Force bombers successfully raided harbour installations at Benghazi. Direct hits were obtained on wharves and buildings near the quayside. “All our aircraft returned safely.”