SHELLS AT POINT-BLANK RANGE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20624, 27 November 1941, Page 9

SHELLS AT POINT-BLANK RANGE

LIBYAN GUNFIRE TOLL OF TANKS AFRICANS IN ACTION BRITISH INFANTRY UNITS (E!e<\ Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Nov. 26„ 2.40 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 25. When General Rommels tanks tried to break through at Sidi Rezegh, South 'African anti-tank gunners, firing at point-blank rapge, took a heavy toll of the German tanks, reports Reuter’s correspondent with the South Africans. Contact with , the Germans was first established on Sunday when their tanks met such an effective barrage that they were forced to withdraw. The attack was renewed on the following day after a night ip which the South Africans were subjected to continuous artillery fire. The German tanks exploited every means in the frantic attempt to smash through The battlefield was soon a swirling mass of tanks, armoured cars, and artillery infantry. The South Africans fought their greatest battle..

The Stefani (Italian) agency states: “As a result of Axis counter-attacks the British in some sectors have lost the initiative and are in a delicate position. A large part of the British armoured force is surrounded and is now being wiped out.”

Radical Change in Battle

It is understood that a radical change is gradually occurring in the Sidi Rezegh engagement, „ says .. the Times’ Cairo correspondent. -Originally a mass -encounter between armoured vehicles, the engagement is now assuming the guise of-a modern pitched battle with mobile artillery playing a more important part. It seems that the tank units have momentarily' drawn off slightly and are now licking their wounds and taking stock of the position. The pace last week was over-hot to last and temporary and permanent casualties compelled a breathing space.

The tanks are now mainly sporadically attacking infantry. The fighting, however/is no less fierce.

There is no information concerning casualties among the men, but it is pointed out that it was never expected that a second. Libyan cam', paign could be fought with the amazing low casualties of General Wavell’s advance..

It is authoritatively stated in Cairo that slackening off in the Libyan tank battle was due to a large extent to fatigue and casualties. It is mainly British' infantry, which has been reinforced, that is now engaged.

The troops- who - made the sortie from Tobruk are not yet in touch with the main Imperial-forces, but the New Zealanders-are pushing on, although meeting heavy opposition. There is no evidence of the enemy receiving fresh reinforcements, but Royal Air Force reconnaissance shows where Axis aircraft abe reaching the aerodromes.