ALL FORCES THROWN IN

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 126, 24 November 1941, Page 8

ALL FORCES THROWN IN

(Rec. 2 p.m.)

(By Telegraph—rress Association —Copyright.)

LONDON, November 23

All the Axis armoured divisions, including- the Italian, are now believed to have been thrown into the battle in Libya, says a Cairo message.

The G-ermans, in the absence of reserves, appear to be staking everything- on beating- the British at Sidi Rezegh and then moving westward to new positions, but a viewpoint which is strongly held in military circles in Cairo is that General Cunningham and his men are slowly but surely winning.

This focuses attention for the moment on the lighting at Sidi Rezegh and the complementary infantry engagement which began this morning in the region south of Tobruk. but it is pointed out that even the stiffest German resistance here does not preclude progress by other British forces elsewhere in Libya, and drives which hitherto have merely been mentioned in the official comm uniques may produce important results at 4 any moment. ' . *

The Neiv Zealanders continue lo advance towards Gambut, the capture of which would deprive the Axis of a big fuel supply centre and also one cf Libya's best aerodromes.

The Axis air opposition has increased, despite the fact that further rains in the coastal areas are hampering operations.

The New Zealanders encircled Capuzzo on the first day of battle after crossing the frontier immediately to the south, says the Cairo correspondent of "The Times." Simultaneously Indian troops, at the coastal end of the line, crossed the frontier and got behind the enemy's forts north of Capuzzo.

There apparently was not much left behind at Solium except a fair amount of supplies which were of no use to the Germans because they were unable to get them where they wanted them.

Major-General P. J. Mackesy, writing in the "Daily Telegraph," says that the capture of Capuzzo by the New Zealanders constitutes a great feat of arms, involving the complete encirclement of this strong point in the rear of the positions at Hcilfaya and Sidi Omar.

The Cairo correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph Company says that it is now learned that the garrison

at Tobruk, sallying out on November 20, took 1100 Italians and Germans.

"The Times" reveals that English and Polish troops with tanks were gradually transported to Tobruk before the