CONTACT SOUTH OF BENGHAZI

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23800, 20 November 1942, Page 5

CONTACT SOUTH OF BENGHAZI

Bth Army’s Advance CONTINUED AIR ASSAULT •. (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) / J 'fßcc. 11 p-ui.) LONDON, November 10. “Forward troops of the Bth Army were yesterday in touch with the enemy south of Benghazi,” states to-day’s Cairo communique. Earlier reports said Gyrene, on the coast road 40 miles past Perna, and 100 miles from Benghazi, had been left far behind in General Sir Bernard Montgomery’s relentless pursuit of the Axis forces. The Bth Army had swung south-westwards on a wide front, but the pace of the advance had not been checked. By Tuesday the. forces advancing along the inland road from Mekili were within 70 miles of Benghazi. The Allied air forces continue to exact a heavy toll on the fleeing enemy. The Cairo correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says: “Although Marshal Rommel’s force appears to be spread out over a long stretch of road, the main Axis force is probably at Barce, and on both sides of Benghazi. Further forces have pushed on to El Agheila and beyond. Although the bulk of the enemy will probably succeed in gaining El Agheila, it may be possible to cut off some part of the rearguard, as General Wavell did two years ago.”

The German News Agency reports that strong Briush motorised patrol troops attempted to push through southern Cyrenaica by way of Msus in order to envelop the Axis rearguards, “but the attempts failed.” The Agency added that tne Axis rearguards were engaged in fighting as far eastwards as Benghazi. Enemy '.ranker Torpedoed Reporting air operations, to-day's Cairo communique states:—“An 8000ton enemy tanker sailing westwards along the coast of Tripolitania was attacked by naval aircraft, which secured two direct hits amidships with torpedoes. The tanker was last seen burning fiercely. “In attacks by Allied fighter aircraft in the Benghazi area yesterday seven enemy transport aircraft were shot down and three others were destroyed on the ground. The previous day a Heinkel and a Junkers 52 were destroyed at barce. Enemy transport on the road south of Benghazi was also attacked. There was small scale enemy air activity. “Yesterday evening Allied heavy bombers attacked the Benghazi dock area, causing files. Two ships were seen burning near the harbour entrance. "From all there operations six Allied aircraft are nursing.” \ The landing grounds at Martuba and Derna are stated by a correspondent to give a strUir.g example of the effect of Allied air attacks. These landing grounds, he said, were graveyards ef enemy fighters and bombers, with piles containing up to 100 aircraft, including gliders and large troop-carriers. Reuter’s military writer says; “The Bth Army’s latest bound of 50 miles ir

24 hours indicates that the Army’s supplies are up with the spearhead, and the capture of Benghazi can be expected at any moment. El Agheila, where Marsha] Rommel successfully stood in January, lends itself to defence by a comparatively small force. Marshy ground covering the flanks may partly compensate for the enemy’s tank weakness. It commands the coastal road to Tripoli, and can be supplied from Tripoli. "The temaming German force is believed to consist of lorried infantry of the veteran SGth Light Division and a composite armoured force with a few tanks formed Irom the remnants of the 15th and 21<-t Panzer (Divisions.” The American desert task force has been lending valuable support to the Bth Army in its advance in Cyrenaica.