Late News BRITISH WEDGES

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 250, 20 July 1942, Page 6

Late News BRITISH WEDGES

Fierce Axis Attacks In Desert AUCHINLECK RETAINS INITIATIVE (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Received July 20, 1.30 a.m.) LONDON, July 19. General Auchinleck retains the initiative in Egypt, according to latest dispatches from Cairo. The British wedges at Ruweisat and Tel Isa are obviously worrying Rommel, who is doing his utmost with armoured forces, artillery, infantry and planes to press them back. / • New Zealand and Indian troops still hold Ruweisat Ridge, despite fierce enemy attacks. A determined thrust against the Indian positions on Friday morning failed. The Australians and South Africans in a dawn attack on Friday advanced six miles into enemy territory and captured el Makhrad Ridge and Ruin Ridge, a few miles from the Egyptian coast. The Germans and Italians hit back heavily with tanks, infantry and stukas. forcing the Australians to evacuate Ruin Ridge. Despite this retirement, the Allies gained control of 20 square miles of enemy territory. Lost Ground Regained After forcing the Australians to evacuate Ruin Ridge, the Germans attempted to push the attack further, but were halted by British, Australian, and South African artillery. Late at night the Australians again drove into the Germans in a silent attack, recapturing the ground they had lost. Then the Australians went out in raiding columns. severely beating up Italian infantry and .inflicting considerable casualties. The New Zealanders and Indians are strengthening the wedge they drove into the German positions in the central sector.