AXIS VERSIONS

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

AXIS VERSIONS

TALLIES OF TANKS STORY OF REPULSE (Reed. Nov. 24, 10 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 23. The Berlin radio was most subdued last night. “It will be necessary to await the developments of the next few days for a clear picture of events,” states the Berlin radio. “It is obvious from reports so far received that the British thrust is meeting with harder resistance than the British expected.”

The German news agency in Berlin claims that the Axis forces have destroyed well over 300 British tanks and 200 armoured cars advancing from the south. '“British tank formations simultaneously attempting to break out from Tobruk were repulsed with heavy losses,” adds the German agency. » The Berlin radio yesterday said that a front of 94 miles had been established in North Africa. “The battle of Sidi Omar goes on, b l ' whatever the result the British should not rejoice too soon,” said the Berlin radio. “It took Rommel only 15 days to recapture a space at least 20 times bigger- We repeat what the British Ministry of Information said last year—that the loss of a mile or so of desert matters little.” The Rome radio declared: “Fierce fighting occurred on Saturday in tne Tobruk area. The British shelled our positions and tried to push through. The day ended however without the enemy having gained ground. They lost many tanks and planes.” The Stefani Agency said yesterday: “The British failed to achieve any outstanding results in Libya, despite the use of the largest forces yet employed in North Africa.” The Zurich radio yesterday announced that the Italian troops in Libya had been placed under the control of General Bastico Gambara.