BATTLE IN LIBYA

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 22, 27 January 1942, Page 5

BATTLE IN LIBYA

ROMMEL'S THREAT

(Rec. 11 a.m.), RUGBY, Jan. 26. That the initiative in the Libyan campaign has temporarily passed to Germany is the view authoritatively held in London in the light of present events. What is still in doubt is whether General Rommel's new attack is a tremendous raid undertaken to do us as much damage as possible and upset preparations for our own offensive or that it is a full-scale counter-offen-sive.

Fighting is now on a big scale and has spread further north and east. General Rommel moved his forces about 150 miles from El Agheila in four days.

Widespread and intensified air operations throughout the Mediterranean area are described in an R.A.F. Middle East communique, which states that fighter and bomber aircraft were active throughout Sunday over the battle area in Libya. There were extensive fighter sweeps, and enemy motorised and armoured forces on the track between Jedabaya and Antelat were successfully machine-gunned. Many enemy vehicles were set on fire and destroyed or severely damaged. One Me. 110, one Ju 88, and one Me. 109 were shot down during these operations. Other fighters machinegunned motor transport on the road between Nofilia and Arae Philaenorum, destroying a number of tents with wireless masts. Bombers effectively raided enemy motorised units north of j Jedabaya and south of An,telat. TRIPOLI AGAIN. Objectives at Tripoli were,again attacked by our bombers on Saturday night In spite of a smoke screen put up by the enemy sites were ob- ! served in the harbour area and on the main quays. Transport on the coastal road east of Tripoli was bombed and i machine-gunned from a low level. Hits ! were scored on vehicles, barrack buildings, and a large motor transport park, causing a number of fires.—B.O.W.