SUSTAINED BATTLE IN DESERT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20622, 25 November 1941, Page 6

SUSTAINED BATTLE IN DESERT

OVER 48 HOURS AIR AND LAND HEAVY BRITISH RAIDS REDUCTION OF TANKS (Elm. Tol. Copyright—United Presa Assn.) (Reed. Nov. 25, 1.40 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 24. The steady progress of the New Zealand .forces’ in Libya, culminating in the capture of Gambut, is particularly reported in a Middle East communique issued in Cairo to-day, which states: “The main battle between the British and German forces continued in the area about Sidi Rezegh. This battle, which is being fought with the utmost resolution by both sides, has been in progress without cessation for over 48 hours. “Meanwhile the New Zealand forces, which captured Sidi Azeiz and Capuzzo. continued their move westwards and captured Gambut, an important enemy supply centre halfway between Tobruk and Bardia. “In the Sidi Omar area Indian troops continue operations in the rear of the enemy defensive positions, which arc at present cut off from the west.

“The British forces from Tobruk are consolidating the ground they have taken. They report the capture, among other materials, of a number of enemy field guns. “In connection with the tank battle our air forces continued their successful bombing and machinegunning attacks on enemy armoured forces and mechanical transport connections in the battle area.” Support by Planes A Roval Air Force Middle East communique issued to-night states: “Further successful operations in .support of our offensive in Libya were carried out by our. aircraft yesterday. Sunday. In the battle area our fighters were particularly active and five Junkers 87, five Messerschmitts 109 and one GSO were shot down. Many enemy divebombers and fighters were severely damaged. Low-level machine-gun-ning attacks were made on enemy aircraft on the ground in the Barce area where four Savonias 79 wqre destroyed. Another Savonia 79 was shot down by our -fighters in an unsuccessful attempt by the enemy to rai done of our landing ground l "

“Co-operating with the Imperial land forces Royal Air Force and South African Air Force bombers made a series of raids on enemy tanks, motor transport and personnel in the battle zone. Direct '"■Be were obtained on armoured fighting vehicles and motor transport in the Bir el Gobi area, where our bombers shot down one Messerschmitt 109. The road from El Adem to Bir el Gobi was also heavily bombed. Free French Bombers “Further concentrated raids In which a squqadron of Free French bombers took an active part was carried out in the vicinity of El Adem. “On the night of November 22-23 our bombers raided aerodromes a 1 Benina and Berea. At Benina a large fire was started in the aerodrome buildings and considerable damage was done. Petrol installations and at least one enemy aircraft were seen to burst into flames. At Berea direct hits were scored on buildings and motor transport in the dispersal area and bomb dumns. Fires and explosions were observed.

“Other bombers were active over Tripoli and Gazala. At the lastnamed objective a large petrol dump was destroyed. “A force of Macchi fighters whic.l» approached the coast of Malta during Saturday was" intercepted by our fighters. Three of the enemy planes were shot down and others were badly damaged. “In the course of. operations in, Abyssinia ,in the Gondar area we machine-gunned posts at the Azozo aerodrome and the barracks at Gondar was effectively bombed. “From these and other operations 13 of our planes are missing.” Concentrated Tank Battle The Cairo spokesman said to-day that there had been a concentrated tank battle in Libya for the past 48 hours, but the tanks were getting fewer and infantry were coming into it more on both sides. Considerable sand-to-hand fighting had occurred. The air opposition had increased, but the enemy was concentrating in the back areas rather than the battlefield. The infantry participating in the Sidi Rezegh battle consist of British, New Zealand and South African troops who are fighting in the open without trenches. An Italian war communique admits that a British motorised column penetrated the Cyrenaican desert and attacked . and overpowered an advanced Italian garrison northwards of the Gialo oasis. According to a statement issued in Rome several British units were ‘"badly mauled or completely destroyed westwards of Solium as was the case with the fourth armoured brigade, the commander of which, General Sperling, was taken prisoner.” The military spokesman in Berlin denied that Bardia had been captured. A German communique claims that German and Italian counter-attacks in North Africa proceeded successfully. “The battle of Tobruk and strong British attacks on the Bardia-Sollum front are still progressing,” stated the German communique.