50-MILE PENETRATION

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 123, 20 November 1941, Page 9

50-MILE PENETRATION

N.Z. Troops Take Part

LITTLE OR NO OPPOSITIOiN

LONDON, November 19.

British Imperial forces in the Western Desert began at dawn yesterday a general advance into Cyrenaica. In heavy rain, they penetrated over 50 miles into enemy territory. Up to that time little or no enemy opposition had been encountered.

The official communique from Cairo describing the operations says that Imperial forces under Lieutenant-General Sir Alan Cunningham, and formations of the Royal Air Force under Vice Marshal A. Coningham, yesterday began a general advance into Cyrenaica from the coast east of Sollum as far south as Jarabub. While pressure was exerted on Axis forces holding defensive positions from Halfaya to Sidi Omar, British armoured formations, followed by New Zealand, South African, and Indian troops, crossed the frontier south of Sidi Omar. The communique adds that enemy observation and interference from the air prior to and during-the advance were negligible. By yesterday evening, in heavy rain, the British forces had penetrated for over 50 miles. Up to that time little or no enemy opposition had been encountered.

Operations today are continuing according to plan. Some prisoners, all Germans, have already been taken, and the British Fleet is bombarding Hailfaya.

The Cairo communique states that enemy observation and interference from the air were negligible in view of the skilful arrangements which had been made in connection with the concentration and dispersal of troops. It mentions particularly camouflage and arrangements for deception.

It is announced in Cairo that all the land, air, and naval forces taking part in the advance received a message from Mr. Churchill before they started the operations. The naval operations are in charge of Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham. Commander-in-Chief Mediterranean Fleet, and a brother of Sir Alan, who is in control of the Allied forces west of Alexandria. Air Vice-Marshal Coningham is air officer commanding, the Western Desert.