AXIS POSTS TAKEN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20621, 24 November 1941, Page 5

AXIS POSTS TAKEN

FORT CAPUZZO AND BARDIA HEAVY BRITISH TOLL OF NAZI FORCES RAPID PROGRESS IN ENCIRCLEMENT (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British 'Official Wireless.) Reed. noon. RUGBY, Nov. 23. The occupation of Bardia by New Zealand forces is reported in a Middle East war communique from Cairo issued to-day. The communique states: “The centre of gravity of the main tank battle between the British and German armoured forces now appears to be about Sidi Rezegh. Throughout the night the battle continued without cessation and it is continuing this morning. “Meanwhile the New Zealand forces, in the face of exceptional climatic difficulties, continued yesterday their advance from the initial positions west of Sidi Omar. Rapidly capturing Sidi Azeit and Capuzzo, .these forces pushed on westwards around the Trigh-Capuzzo road. By yesterday evening they had reached positions south of Gambut, leaving a detachment to occupy Bardia which ivas reported clear of the enemy. “While these operations were proceeding Indian troops captured Sidi 'Omar and Nuovo and are gradually extending the area of their penetration in the rear of defensive positions held betAveen Halfaya and Sidi Omar. “Continuing their advance against opposition, the British forces from Tobruk again captured many hundreds of prisoners, of Avhom 50 per cent are Germans. Continuous air support Avas given by our air forces throughout the day. LoAv-flying bomber and fighter attacks were made on enemy tanks and armoured fighting vehicles and motor transport. Much damage Avas inflicted.” Heavy fighting betAveen British and German armoured forces continues in the Western Desert, Avith the advantage in . the hands of the British forces which have won every tank battle so far.

The British Command issued a Avarning last night that further intensive fighting could be expected from the trapped Axis forces. The Germans had now recovered from the shock of the original surprise and may be expected to hit back hard in attempts to break out of General Sir Alan Cunningham’s ring of iron.

_ The Axis up to Saturday had lost one-third of their tanks, while 75 of their planes had been destroyed. Reports reveal that the encircled Germans are trying to break through to the Avest Avith the result that tank battles are raging in areas each about 40 miles square. The Germans have apparently about six formations, varying in size. The first is in Halfaya Pass and Sidi Omar. The British movements to encircle these continued satisfactorily throughout Saturday. Another German force is in the Gambut-Bardia area where the battle appareiitly is continuing Avith heavier losses to the Germans. A third force is in the Capuzzo-Gabrasale-Rezegh triangle. General Cunningham has defeated repeated attempts by these to break to the AvestAvard. A fourth German force is a tank concentration Avest of General Cunningham’s iron ring. The fifth is AvestAvard of Rezegh and the sixth is apparently opposing attempts by the Tobruk forces to join up with the main British forces.

In addition to the hammering which the German forces at e receiving from the British land forces, whose objective is tanks and not towns, British Hurricane bombers and various other aircraft are constantly harrying and smashing at the German mechanised strength, while the navy continues to shell their positions.