TANK BATTLES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20634, 9 December 1941, Page 9

TANK BATTLES

LIBYAN CAMPAIGN BRITISH TAKE TOLL LAND AND AIR UNITS LULL ONLY RELATIVE (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Tress Assn.) (Reed. Dec. 8, 3 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 7. The military spokesman in Cairo stated to-day that the bulk of the remaining German tank force was engaged in battle with British tanks northwards of Bir cl Gobi. Early reports said the British appeared successful, but the full result of the fighting was unknown. I-Ie added that German columns recently on ,the iCapuzzo road had now been withdrawn. Cabling from battle headquarteers of the Bth Army the correspondent states: “Toll was exacted by our land and air forces from the enemy in the last three days. The ‘lull’ has been only relative. The British .forces in this period have definitely destroyed 49 planes, mostly German, and probably destroyed 14 and damaged eight. They have destroyed about 30 tanks, two medium batteries and five antitank guns, and captured 700 prisoners, 150 mechanised transport vehicles, 50 ammunition lorries, 45,000 gallons of petrol, and 10.000 gallons of diesel oil. We lost 18 planes. Most of the pilots are safe. Our ground casualties were not heavy enough for the advanced forces to consider their worth reporting to headquarters.”

To-day’s communique regarding the fighting in Libya states: “Armoured forces on both sides joined battle about mid-day yesterday and that action is apparently still in progress.” It is thought in London that this indicates that the main British and Axis armoured forces are concerned in this clash, which is taking place to the south-west of the Tobruk corridor. It is conceivable that this battle may develop into the main action of the campaign. General Rommel’s intention may be the same as that of the British commander —to smash his enemy—and so he was ready to launch a pitched battle, like those of the Napoleonic wars, where the whole fate of the campaign depended on the victory going to one side in one engagement. Apart from the main battle, British mobile forces in the frontier areas are reported to be carrying out “vigorous offensive operations” with satisfactory results. : A further important point in the communique is " the removal or the destruction of petrol supplies so essential to the enemy by South African troops in the Sidi Rezegh area.

A Cairo Headquarters communique says: “During the last 24 hours there has been considerable activity in the area between El Adem and Bir el Gobi. In an action four miles east of Bir el Gobi an enemy force of tanks, was engaged by South African troops, one tank being knocked out and transport dispersed. The column was forced to withdraw. Two other actions in this general area were still in progress when the latest reports reached Cairo. In one of them enemy infantry had attacked British Indian troops north of Bir el Gobi and we had counter-attacked. The fighting continued in the moonlight. Further north armoured forces of both sides were reported in action. The reported progress of this action is not yet to hand, although there pre indications that ’our armoured forces met with some success. Enemy Attack Fails “South-west of Bir el Gobi yesterday evening an enemy column with some tanks attacked British ' troops, but met with no success. “During these engagements in the El Gobi area our forces bombed enemy forces while they were refuelling, obtaining many direct hits.

“South-east of Tobruk, British patrols penetrated several miles south of El Duda without encountering any opposition. These patrols destioycd 15 enemy vehicles and two field guns and captured three German anti-tank guns and 25 German prisoners. A little further east in the Sidi Rezegh area South African troops engaged in mopping-up operations removed or destroyed petrol and burned 62 enemy motor vehicles, two aircraft and captured supplies and petrol dumps. “In the frontier area operations proceeded against isolated pockets. Very few enemy remain between Tobruk and the frontier. In particular numerous casualties have been reported among enemy vehicles and troops on the Trigh-Capuzzo road, where a few Germans were captured. Mopping-up operations north of the coastal read cast of Tobruk resulted in the surrender of 26 Italians and a little further west in the Sidi RezeghEl Adem area the enemy is being subjected to continued harassing. “Among the losses inflicted by these mobile columns on Saturday were the destruction of 23 Italian tanks and a complete Italian battery.

“Our air forces again continued their heavy attacks against enemyconcentrations and enemy' motor vehicles, in addition to affording direct support to our ground troops. Particularly effective results were obtained in the El Adem area, where we bombed a group of enemy tank transports being loaded with heavy' tanks.’

A message despatched from Cairo by the New Zealand Expeditionary Force official hews service states that the weather conditions have improved and the New Zealand forces are taking the opportunity for reorganisation with cleaning up operations and mobile patrol activity is continuing.