INFANTRY ACTIONS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20623, 26 November 1941, Page 6

INFANTRY ACTIONS

TANK FIGHT EASES AIR FORCE PRESSURE ROADS AND BASES (Flee. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Nov. 26, 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 25. The tank battle in Libya is losing its intensity and the infantry are coming into action, tending to slow down the speed of the advance, says the military spokesman in Cairo. Although the enemy planes have increased in numbers there is no evidence of the arrival of fresh German troops. Both sides are using field artillery at Sidi Rezegh. The infantry casualties are no more than can be expected in such a battle. It is officially stated in Cairo that from the beginning of the Libyan offensive from dawn on November 18 until midnight on November 23, Royal Air Force operating in this theatre of war destroyed 119 enemy aircraft—sl in aerial combats and 68 on the ground. Owing to the diffi-, cult nature of the terrain and the fluctuating area of the land battle it is not posisble to accurately assess the enemy aircraft losses day by day. Attacks by Bombers

A Royal Air Force Middle East communique states: "Transport and armoured fighting vehicles, as well as encampments, stores and supply dumps, in the Libyan battle zone were successfully attacked by our bombers yesterday. Outstanding results were obtained on road transport and in • a machine-gunning attack made on enemy motor transport east of El Adem. Our fighters were active during the day and in the Gialo region one 5.79 was shot down and a number of C.R.42’s damaged.

“A Messerschmitt 110 was intercepted over one of our landing grounds and was last seen making off with smoke pouring from one engine.. “During Sunday night aerodromes at Berka and Benina were raided. At Berka bombs fell among dispersed aircraft, and fire broke out in the aerodrome buildings. At Benina a large fire was started in one hangar. All of our planes returned safely from these operations.”