CAPTURE OF DESERT POST

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20625, 28 November 1941, Page 5

CAPTURE OF DESERT POST

RELENTLESS HUNT FOR AXIS RAIDERS COMBINATION OF LAND AND AIR UNITS (Elec. To). Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Nov. 27, 10 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 27. It is authoritatively stated- that the New Zealand troops in the Libyan campaign on Tuesday night captured Sidi Rezegh. The junction of New Zealand forces from the west with British forces from Tobruk is announced in a Cairo communique, which states: “During the night of November 25-AI New Zealand forces, supported by a British tank formation, recaptured Sidi Rezegh and occupied Bir el Earned in the face of heavy opposition. Stiff fighting continued in the area throughout yesterday and it was not until early this, morning that elements of the relieving forces were able to join hands at El Duda with the British forces from Tobruk, which yesterday captured that important locality. “Meanwhile British armoured and mechanised columns are hunting the enemy raiding force which yesterday broke up into a number of parties circulating on both sides of the frontier. In various brushes our columns yesterday accounted for five tanks and 80 other vehicles, while 300 prisoners, mostly Germans, were captured. Although this raid had a certain nuisance value it has not succeeded in diverting us from the main object. “Our air forces again had a successful day, particularly in co-operation with the ground forces. 'Operating against German and Italian reinforcements west of Sidi Rezegh our bombers and fighters destroyed several tanks and numeroustransport vehicles. ’ ’ Valuable Road for Supplies The announcement that the New Zealanders have joined up with forces from the Tobruk garrison is regarded in authoritative quarters in London as of .the highest importance. If, as may be expected, the junction is maintained and the breach in the, Axis besieging line round Tobruk widened, Tobruk, with its sea communications, may become a valuable base for supplies for field forces which are at present maintained by long lines of communications stretching across 200 miles of desert. Moreover tanks from Tobruk will now be available for the main battle in the Sidi Rezegh area. An earlier message states that the New Zealanders were reported to have outflanked Solium’s defences, reaching the escarpment, from which they could pound the enemy positions 600 ft. below. British forces were also pressing still further nortlrwards around the Bardia zone.

In a message of last night the Cairo correspondent of The Times stated that after simmering for .two days the Sidi Rezegh battle was again reaching boiling point as reinforcements for both sides were taking up positions. “The Germans everywhere are fighting back with sustained fury,” added the correspondent. “As soon as the German divei’sionary force passed Gabra Saleh, 45 miles south-eastwards of Tobruk, they were continuously and severely attacked by the Royal Air Force until they reached the frontier. The Germans were met by Bi'itish tanks and artillery on the frontier. It undoubtedly was a determined and courageous action which must have seriously weakened General Rommel’s already depleted main formation.” Twenty R.A.F. Planes Beat 70 Germans

Reuter’s correspondent with the Bth Army in a message to-day says that General Rommel is using the suspension of thp main battle, while our armoured forces reform, to gather reinforcements to strengthen the German and Italian positions around Tobruk, where fierce fighting is developing. Both air commands are throwing strong forces into the battle. The Geimans are using heavy Messerschnutt reinforcements from and southern Italy. Twenty of our fighters attacked and drove off 70 Messerschmitts on Tuesday night, shooting down 10. . °

+ , J le " t . er ’s correspondent says that a most notable feature of the fighting is the unprecedented Royal Air Force activity. An officer who served in Libya last year and in France, Greece and Crete, said: “This is the first time when aircraft is heard that one can say to oneself: ‘There is no need to look Thev are sure to be ours.’ ” < '

A special correspondent of the British United Press with the Royal Air h orce in the Western Desert states it is officially confirmed that up till Wednesday 133 enemy planes had been destroyed since the beginning of the offensive