MINOR TANK ACTIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 105, 30 October 1942, Page 5

MINOR TANK ACTIONS

Battle In Egypt Still In

Initial Phase

LONDON, October 29. ; The latest* news from Cairo indicates that the second phase for the battle in Egypt has not yet begun. ■ ' ■■•■•■■.

The Eighth Army is holding on to its gains and has inflicted more losses on the Axis tank forces.

During Tuesday, an enemy counter-attack on the British' ~ positions was beaten off. Yesterday there were some minor tank engagements in which damage was inflicted on the enemy, i These tank actions were not on a scale approaching those of the previous day. '

Fighting continues.

The British air offensive was again carried on during the night. The main weight fell on Axis landing grounds and forward positions. Throughout yesterday the Axis air forces were compelled to remain on the defensive.

General Montgomery's men made no forward major movement yesterday. They were content further to consolidate the positions gained in the first four days of the offensive. British torpedo planes sank a large enemy tanker bound -for the African coast. This is the second tanker the enemy has lost in three days. Normally, these tankers discharge their oil at Benghazi, but the fact that they are now running the gauntlet to TobruJk is interpreted as necessity to get fresh petrol supplies to the forward areas. South African and American airmen have carried out bombing raids, paying special attention to Derna aerodrome. Today's communique reports the destruction of nine Axis fighters for the loss of four Allied planes. The enemy has lost 43 aircraft in three days. - • Today's Cairo communique says that enemy activity over Malta has been on a reduced scale. Heavy, bombers made a night raid on enemy aerodromes in Crete, where fire 3 were started.