DECISIVE BATTLE IMPENDING

Evening Star, Issue 24082, 31 December 1941, Page 7

DECISIVE BATTLE IMPENDING

Axis Tanks Suffer Heavily Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright (Rec. 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, December 30. It is stated authoritatively in London, in connection with a reported tank battle in the area south of Jedabaya in which 40 German tanks were put out of action, that the weather is still very bad, and it is pointed out that this reacts more unfavourably on the British than on the enemy forces, since the bulk of our tanks are high, fast-moving machines, which largely depend for their maximum efficiency on their normally very great manoeuvrability. The majority of the German tanks, on the other hand, are large and heavy, and their manoeuvrability therefore is less affected by bad weather. Imperial forces in Libya who are closing in on the main body of enemy troops along the wide sweeping curve of the Gulf of Sidra are striving to pin General Rommel down for the final reckoning. Heavy Allied reinforcements are being brought up. The Italians have been scattered and their general fighting ability destroyed, but the Germans still carry considerable hitting power. Their morale is good, and they are apparently still prepared to fight to a finish. It is believed that the Axis forces still number upwards of 60,000 men in spite of losses estimated at 70,000, including 30,000 captured.