LIBYAN CAMPAIGN

Evening Star, Issue 24081, 30 December 1941, Page 3

LIBYAN CAMPAIGN

THE ALLIED ADVANCE CLOSING IN ON MAIN ENEMY FORGES i (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright (Rec. 11.5 a.m.) RUGBY, Dec. 29. A commuttique issued to-day front British headquarters in Cairo states that the enemy’s main forces in Jedabaya area yesterday made efforts to repulse our columns closing in from the south. In one engagement an enemy column with tanks was compelled to retreat to the west with the loss of six tanks. South-east of Jedabaya our artillery successfully engaged an enemy motor transport column. In addition to heavy attacks on enemy forces isolated in Bardia, our Air Forces continued attacks on enemy motor transport on the road westwards from Jedabaya, damaging or destroying a considerable number of vehicles. An R.A.F. Middle East communique states that throughout yesterday R. bomber aircraft and the Free French air force continued raids oa objectives within the Bardia perimeter. Many direct hits were obtained on gun defensive positions. Elsewhere fighter aircraft intercepted a formation of enemy torpedo bombers, which attempted unsuccessfully to attack our shipping. One bomber was shot down into the sea. A JU 88 was shot down, by one of oup fighters in the Gazala region, the crew: being taken prisoner. Fighter aircraft of the R.A.F. and S. successfully attacked enemy .motor transport on the El Ageila road during Saturday. A number of lorries were destroyed, and many others damaged. Fires followed the attacks. During Saturday night the quays at Gastello, the railway station and shipping in the harboxir at Tripoli were again effectively raided. A violent explosion occurred, but thick cloud prevented detailed observation of the results of the attack. Enemy motor transports south of Mareet, Marcan, and at Suara were also bombed. Enemy aircraft which raided Malta during Saturday night were intercepted by our night fighters. Ona enemy bomber was shot down in flames. From these and other operations ouo of our aircraft is missing. GERMAN REINFORCEMENTS LONDON, December 29. The * New York Times,’ in a special report from “ somewhere in Europe,” says four German divisions, two mechanised and two cavalry, have reached the French demarcation line en route to Marseilles, Toulon, Genoa, and ultimately Libya and French North African bases. THE AXIS PARTNERS FREQUENT CLASHES LONDON, December 29. Records of the 10th Flieger Corps captured in Libya confirm that clashes between the Germans and the Italians have become so serious that an order has been issued that “ such outrages, which seriously discredit the German forces in friendly Italy, will be severely punished.” The records show that many German airmen have been punished by terms ranging from two to four years’ imprisonment. BENGHAZI BATTERED EFFECTIVE WORK OF R.A.F. LONDON, December 29. The representative of the Associated Press at Benghazi, referrnig to the work of the R.A.F. during the past months, says the harbour is full of Italian and German ships in every stage of wreckage. Harbour buildings are in ruins, and in the city buildings have been smashed. The biggest welcome to the British troops _ came from 90 wounded British soldiers who had been left in hospital and a dozen who were not wounded and had been sheltered by friendly Arabs. The Catholic Church was not damaged, and the priests are carrying on. Bells tinkled pleasantly on a quiet Christmas morning. HARBOUR FRONT IN RUINS (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 1.20 p.m.) "RUGBY, Dec. 29. Reports from Benghazi show how fierce the R.A.F. raids had been on the port. There are many huge gashes in the moles. The former _base_ control post of the Luftwaffe in Libya is gutted by fire. About 15 hulks of ships lie in the inner and outer harbours. The whole harbour front, is battered to a crumbling ruin, and huge black patches show, where the fire scorched all that was inflammable. Although the only shops open are butchers there are still quite a lot of Italian subjects around the town. In 38 days the R.A.F. has occupied 39 enemy aerodromes in Libya, according to an Air Ministry bulletin. At least a dozen new lauding grounds had been prepared by the enemy. Each of the old Italian aerodromes had at least one satellite or emergency landing ground, but here, too, the twisted skeletons of wrecked aircraft were littered everywhere.