Thrust And Counter-Thrust In Libya

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 140, 16 June 1942, Page 5

Thrust And Counter-Thrust In Libya

LONDON, June 15.

The enemy is attacking the British positions at Acroma, in an attempt to isolate the troops remaining in the Ga!zala salient. The Germans are attacking north of the Trigh-Capuzzo road, and Allied mobile forces in turn are attacking the enemy rear! from the south. The Eighth Army is counter-attacking vigorously and is in process of adjusting its dispositions to meet developments. An Italian communique said that Axis forces h&d crossed the coastal road and reached the coast, but there is no •confirmation of this from any other source, and the Germans do not mention it. An observer states that the outcome of today's complicated fighting is not known, but when dusk fell last night Acroma was still firmly held and the road through Tobruk to Gazala was still open. Another journalist speaks of attacks by British tanfc^ columns on the German rear. There are indications that General Ritchie lost no time in sending Brit-ish-tanks scurrying across the desert to attack the Germans who were striking-at the Eighth Army covering Acrdma. »r The ne,ws that the enemy has been cleared east of El Adem means important relief to the Allied supply position. All throughout yesterday British fighters and bombers took advantage of targets that presented themselves. Bombers attacked enemy tanks and transports near Acrioma, j and further west Derna had two heavy raids in 24 hours. On Saturday night Heraclion, in Crete, and Taranto were = given special attention.

FIERCE TANK WARFARE

A fierce tank battle is now raging south of Tobruk, and General Ritchie has cleared the enemy east of El Adem.

An earlier official report said, that British forces were vigorously counter-attacking. Allied forces are also reported to be manoeuvring to be able to deal with any surprise the Axis might spring. . ■ ,

Today's Cairo communique indicates that the battle has become more fluid, thrusts and counter thrusts occurring' with bewildering 1 rapidity. The German Command is now trying1 with all its strength to strike northwards to the coast, and the communique says that heavy fighting1 continues.

like wildfire through France and stirred the French to the heart. Details of the exploit were received in towns and villages by short-wave wireless, which escapes the systematic German jamming of news from abroad. All France learned the news in an incredibly short time.