RECAPTURE OF SOLLUM

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 198, 19 May 1941, Page 7

RECAPTURE OF SOLLUM

A Local Operation SERIOUS GERMAN LOSSES

Tobruk Counter-Attack

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Received May 18, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 17.

The occupation of Solium by British forces is announced. A communique from British general headquarters in Cairo says: “In Libya, as the result of limited operations carried out by out covering forces, British troops on Thursday occupied Hal fava Pass, Musaid and Solium, inflicting serious casualties on the enemy and capturing a number of German prisoners.

The British operation resulting in the recapture of Solium was only of a local nature, its chief importance being the serious German losses, says the Cairo correspondent of the British United Press. The R.A.F. put out of action more than 200 enemy vehicles in 24 hours. Fighter planes systematically strafed enemy troops, tanks and armoured units throughout the battle. An earlier peculiar sortie by the Germans left their flanks uncovered and provided the opportunity for the British assault. The enemy garrison is believed to have consisted solely of Germans when the British entered. The Berlin correspondent of the Associated Press states that a spokesman claimed that German and Italian units recaptured Solium yesterday. Many Prisoners.

Further activity in Libya is recorded in another official communique issued by British headquarters in Cairo, stating: “Throughout yesterday advanced elements of the British mechanized troops continued their pressure against the German forces holding positions in the Capuzzo urea. We captured more than 500 German prisoners and a considerable number of their armoured fighting vehicles have been disabled.

“In the Tobruk area British and Australian troops carried out a limited counter-attack in which heavy casualties -were inflicted upon the enemy, who left as prisoners in our hands two officers and 00 German and Italian other ranks. In addition, one medium tank, a howitzer., and three Breda guns were destroyed.” It is learned in London that the British have advanced their lines in the Tobruk defence area.

AIR LOSSES IN NEAR EAST

i. British official Wireless.)

RUGBY, May 16.

During the week, which ended at dusk on Thursday, at least 27 enemy aircraft were destroyed in the Mediterranean theatre of war and many others were damaged on the ground. Eleven British aircraft did not return from all the Mediterranean and African operations.

BRITISH ARMY

New Appointments i British official Wireless.i

RUGBY, May 16. Tile King -.lias approved the following Army appointments General Sir Robert Haiuing, V iceCh'ief of the Imperial General Staff, selected for a special appointment. Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Pownall, G.O.C. in Northern Ireland, to be Vice-Chief of the Imperial General Staff.

Lieutenant-General 11. E. Franklytt, to be G.O.C. in Northern Ireland.

Lieutenant-General 11. C. B. Wemyss, Adjutant-General to Hie Forces, selected for a special appointment. Lieutenant-General Sir Ronald Adam, G.0.C.-in-Chief, Northern Command, to ■be Adjutant-General to the Forces. Lieutenant-General T. It. Eastwood, Director of the Home Guard, to be G.0.C.-in-Chief, Northern Command. Brigadier Viscount Bridgeman, Deputy Director of the Home Guard, to lie Director-General of the 'Home Guard ami Major-General. BRITAIN’S BOWER Day Of Reckoning Near For Hitler t British Wireless.) LU.’GBY. Muy IG. The Minister of Information. Mr. Duff Cooper, broadcasting to Latin America, expressed, regret that, the strict enforcement of the blockade which was essential to victory should have caused any hardship to South American countries. "1 am convinced.” he said, "that they Wil! bear this suffering with patience. Afterward, when Latin America "'ill play her inevitable part in the great rei-onst i’iii’l inn of I hi* EiirojK’ii n way of life, any snvri I'wes will be redeemed a hundredfold."

The .Minister added : ■■Britain will continue to stand firm-—more tha i> Iha I. .Britain will continue on her determined way till she Ims massed within her island fortress snllieieiil weight of material to deal Hiller a mortal blow and win the war.

"This coiling up "f the springs ol power can be achieved--is. indeed, being achieved today-- by the exercise of Britain's strength at sea and in the air. For not only docs this strength guarantee the defence of Britain against, any direct onslaught that Hitler may attempt, but British sea ami ait’ power is also a guarantee that the vast programme el' arms production which is How beiii-' undertaken by the I lilted Slates will Hot b” "listed. Ibe weapons we need victory in the buttle for freed will eleadilv pile up dg-.'ii nsf.'the dav of reckonin'-