LIBYAN FRONT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20635, 10 December 1941, Page 5

LIBYAN FRONT

SCATTERED FIGHTING AXIS TANKS MOVE BACK (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Dec. 10. 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 9. In a series of running fights in an area spreading for 35 miles southward and south-eastwards of Tobruk the German main tank forces appear to be gradually withdrawing, reports Reuter’s cotrespondent with the Eighth Army. Our tanks and guns, in various inconclusive engagements on Sunday, knocked out or damaged over a dozen German tanks and are now gradually pushing back the enemy westward), and north-westward of a line between El Adem and El Gubi. General Rommel appears to bf trying to avoid the almost inevitable fierce full-scale battle, which would be decisive. One of our patrols found 29 damaged Messerschmittts abandoned on the Gambut landing ground. This represents a serious loss to the Luftwaffe whose tactics last week demonstrated their anxiety to conserve the remaining fast fighters. Three-Pronged Attack The British Commander-in-Chief, General Sir Claude Auchinleck, is now trying to impale General Rommel by a three-pronged attack south-east, south-west and north-east. The present British tactics comprise heavy shelling from three sides and harassing the 'flanks with light tanks. Army observers believe the British commander realised the need for more heavy artillery to deal with heavy enemy tanks, thereby forcing General Rommel on the defensive and to use the British lighter tanks more economically. An authoritative source states that there is still a considerable number of the enemy of all arms on the TobrukBir El Gobi line and also a considerable number, which previously invested Tobruk, capable of offering substantial resistance.

An Italian communique reports violent fighting on the Tobruk front between Axis forces and enemv infantry supported by tanks. “The British are intensely shelling oul strongholds on the Solium front,” the communique added. Cleared of Enemy Forces It is stated in authoritative quarters in London that the eastern face of the Tobruk perimeter may be considered clear of enemy forces and that patrols from Tobruk have joined up along the Bardia road with other patrols from the Sidi Azeiz area. The whole area north of the TrighCapuzzo is now practically clear of the enemy. Large quantities of enemy material have been seized by the British forces during their operations. It is considered that the second phase of the operations—dealing with the enemy armoured formations—though possibly not yet concluded, is drawing to a successful close. The enemy armoured forces, though not yet entirely dealt with, have had a very serious knock and have withdrawn westwards.

A mixed Royal Air Force squadron in Libya, in which there are New Zealand and Australian airmen, has destroyed 109 enemy planes for the loss of four pilots. During the Libyan campaign alone the squadron brought down 29. The squadron was ‘sent from England last May for six months’ duty in the Middle East. It has fought in Greece and Crete and is now one of the desert’s veteran squadrons. A communique issued by Royal Air Force headquarters in the Middle East states: “Fighter aircraft made a series of flying attacks on traffic moving along the Barce-Derna, AgedabiaAgheila and Marau-Afaida roads, damaging many lorries and other vehicles. Aircraft on the landing ground at Agedabia were hit by machine-gun fire. “In a conflict over the battle area, one Macchi 200 and one Me. 109 were destroyed. “During Sunday night the aerodromes at Castel Benito and Tripoli were raided by our bombers. At Castel Benito a hangar was set on fire. From these and other operations three of our aircraft are missing.”