FLIGHT RESUMED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 7, 9 January 1942, Page 5

FLIGHT RESUMED

ROMMEL'S FORCES!

GUARDS' HOT PURSUIT

LONDON, January 8

It is officially stated that General Rommel's forces in Libya are now in flight from Agedabia, covered by a strong rearguard. They ara taking advantage of a heavy sandstorm for a retreat which they swore not long ago they would never make.

A Cairo communique says that British mobile columns of all arms are pursuing the enemy over wide fronts, but that their progress has been hampered by. the weather and extensive minefields placed by the enemy. The, Coldstream Guards and the Scots Guards are hot on the heels of the Axis forces.

Further south, the King's Dragoons and South African armoured fighting vehicles yesterday penetrated country previously held by the enemy to depths from 20 to 40 miles, pushing the enemy back in front of them.

It is thought in London that General Rommel may finally try to get away along the main coastal road leading from Agedabia to Tripoli.

Twenty wrecked aircraft have been found on the Agedabia landing .field.

It is now known that the total number of enemy prisoners captured in Libya and Cyrenaica since the British offensive began in November is 20j000, including 5500 Germans. There are also a number of other prisoners who have not yet arrived at the base.

Pressure continues on the beleaguered Axis garrison at Halfaya. Cairo says today that in spite of more duststorms our air forces yesterday persistently attacked the enemy positions.