OPTIMISTIC VIEWS CONFIRMED

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 51, 24 November 1941, Page 7

OPTIMISTIC VIEWS CONFIRMED

Saturday’s British Communique

(British Official Wireless.) (Received November 23, 7 p.m.) RUGBY, November 22. Tonight’s war communique from Cairo confirms the optimistic views concerning the development of. the operations which have been given in London today. The communique states: —

“Centred in the triangle between Fort Capuzzo, Gadr Saleh and Rezegh, a heavy tank battle developed over the wliole area throughout yesterday. Taking full advantage of the tactical opportunity presented, General Cunningham interposed his main armoured forces between the principal tank concentrations to the east and a lesser one to the west. Repeated attempts by the 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. Tobruk Tank Reinforcements. “Meanwhile, British troops fiom Tobruk, supported by important tank forces which had gradually been introduced into the fortress ovet a period of many weeks by the Royal Navy, sallied out yesterday morning will) tlie object of joining forces with our troops holding Kezegh. By midday yesterday a heavily-defended enemy locality, three miles south-east of tlie perimeter defences, together with a smaller position near by, had been captured, and by nightfall the Tobruk force was steadily making progress in face of heavy opposition. “In the frontier area our movement to encircle the Axis force holding tlie defended position between Halfaya ami Sidi Omar developed satisfactorily throughout tl.e day. “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: Yesterday saw a continuation of the heavy lighting which was to be expected after the German High Command in Africa had recovered from the shock oi their original surprise. In all areas the situation is developing to our advantage, though further intensive fighting is to be expected before it will be possible to assess (he full results of the heavy blow which has been dealt to the enemy in the opening phase of this campaign,”