FLUCTUATING FORTUNES

Evening Star, Issue 24103, 26 January 1942, Page 5

FLUCTUATING FORTUNES

New Libyan Battle

COLONIAL TROOPS IN ACTION (British Official Wireless.) Tress Association—By Telegraph—Copyright (Rec. 11.20 a.m.) RUGBY, January 25. It is reported from Cairo that the Libyan battle is being continued with renewed vigour and fluctuating fortunes, but that General Rommel is unable to pierce the British defence of tanks, splendidly supported by field-guns and 20-pounders. There has been hardly any change from the scene of battle the previous day, which still runs south-east of Antelat to Saunnu, and where the Guards and colonial troops are believed to be engaged with one of the enemy’s columns.. The report states that the battle is not on such a large scale as Sidi Rezegh or the others which were fought at the beginning of the British offensive, but it has been marked by substantial air support given the German tanks and artillery.

810 TANK BATTLE ACTION AT JEDABAYA ROMMEL TAKES OFFENSIVE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, January 24. A British Headquarters report fromCairo states: “Yesterday several enemy columns, each with a tank component, were engaged by our mobile columns in a triangle between Jedabaya, Antelat, and Saunnu. The results of the fighting, which covered a very large area, are not yet known, but our Air Forces did great execution with bombs and low-flying attacks on groups of enemy mechanical transport at and about Jedabaya.” General Rommel’s forces, according to Press messages from Cairo, are now engaged with the main British forces, including tanks and artillery, in a triangle based oh the desert “ invasion ” road, which leads to Mekili. The main British forces had been concentrated in the area from Jedabaya to Antelat, to the east and south to north. The battle is still raging, but it seems that Rommel’s offensive has as its main object in pushing so far from his base the interruption and destruction of the preparations we are making. Axis columns now engaged here have split up, and are operating in an area in which we had dumps of stores and equipment. It is believed that more than half of the Axis total strength is engaged, and, while some of the tanks 1 in use have been in action earlier in the campaign, reinforcements must have been received. A great risk would seem to be taken by the Nazis in advancing so far, as there may well be difficulties in maintaining supplies.

and fires started.

ENEMY REINFORCED THRUST FROM JEDABAYA CAIRO, January 24. General Rommel in his present attack has not yet encountered the main British forces. His advance is described in Cairo as a reconnaissance in force, but the speed of the German march, led by a reinforced tank force, gives no indication that Rommel is planning to halt before he is compelled to do so. Indeed, Rommel is already reported to be thrusting in a north-easterly direction from Jedabaya to Antelat. The initial penetration reached only the British forward patrols, including somo armoured cars, infantry, and artillery. The main British forces never reached Jedabaya. Rommel’s use of sizeable tank forces is believed to indicate that reinforcements have arrived by several Italian cargo vessels which recently managed to elude the British blokade. Flat country spreads before Rommel eastward and northward of Jedabaya, and this is suitable for tanks. DESERT ENCOUNTERS ATTACKS ON ENEMY UNITS (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. noon.) RUGBY, January 25. A Cairo communique states that it is now established that during one phase of the fighting on January 23 at least five enemy tanks were destroyed. On the following day confused fighting took place over a considerable area to the south and south-east of Antelat. Southwest of Saunnu a group of enemy tanks was attacked during the morning by our artillery and infantry, and was dispersed. Enemy transport and tanks on the track from Jedabaya to Antelat were successfully attacked by our aircraft. Several vehicles were destroyed