REDUCED PANZER DIVISIONS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20622, 25 November 1941, Page 5

REDUCED PANZER DIVISIONS

GAMBUT TAKEN BY NEW ZEALAND FORCE FURTHER THRUST BY TOBRUK GARRISON (Elec. Te). Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Nov. 25, 11 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 24. British Headquarters late last night said the situation in the advance into Libya was good. The fighting is hard and confused and a full estimate of its course is not possible at present, according to an expert commentator. The New Zealand forces, following their advance from Sidi Omar, taking Sidi Azeiz, Fort Capnzzo and Bardia, are now reported to have taken Gfambut, an important enemy supply base half-way between Bardia and Tobruk. Gambut has One of the most important airfields in Libya. The first prase of General Sir Claude Aiichinleck’s attack is over. It consisted of getting' British armoured formations forward and the start of the shouldering movement against the Axis frontier defences. The second phase now is going on. It has resolved into a fight against troops desperately struggling under an able commander. The Axis position and supply situation are not at all good and no doubt the British air superiority will be maintained throughout, but either undue optimism or pessimism would be misplaced when it is impossible to estimate how the second phase will develop. It is generally felt in London, however, that the admirable planning of the first, phase which led to complete British success is a good omen for satisfactory progress in the second. Battle Amid Tombs With guns roaring and planes skirmishing in dog-fights over the battle area fighting was resumed when German tanks which had been assembled on Saturday night in the neighbourhood of El Adem on the newly-built Tobruk road led a fierce and powerful attack in the attempt to recapture Sidi Rezegh. A British armoured brigade and a support group including a ■ famous line regiment held their ground in the fight that lasted for an hour around a few shacks and the tombs of sheiks. The Tobruk garrison passing on made a further advance and reached a point two miles from the armoured division that is cutting off the retreat westwards of the German Panzer divisions, now considerably reduced in strength. At the same time British armoured forces, supported by South Africans, are gaining positions to cut off any attempt to move eastwards by the Germans and are thus slowly completing the encircling movement that will ultimately lead to a conclusive battle. Artillery is in position to cover the gap that still exists. The German forces were on Sunday morning still holding positions at Solium and on the frontier. The New Zealanders were moving up to do battle at Gambut. The Nazi heavy tanks are being greatly hampered by the mud and inundations, especially to the west of Tobruk where immense areas are under water.