ON TO TRIPOLI?

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20649, 27 December 1941, Page 5

ON TO TRIPOLI?

ALLIED FORCES PURSUIT OF THE AXIS HEAVY BAG OF PRISONERS (Reed. Dec. 27, 10.20 a.m.) CAIRO, Dec. 26. The question on everybody’s lips is: “Will the Allied .forces attempt to sweep on to the Tunisian frontier before Axis reinforcements arrive?” At present there is only Italian infantry in that region. An exact computation of the proportion of the forces General Rommel managed to get out of Cyrenaica is impossible, but it is generally believed that he extricated only a "handful” of tanks. The scanty remains of the German armoured forces and also all the infantry which could be assembled are making their way round the Gulf of Sirte along a good road to Tripoli, everything not essential being abandoned. AO , • •

The Allied forces certainly had no time to celebrate Christmas as they were fully occupied in pursuing the fleeing columns and also mopping up stragglers. No more Germans can join; those already southward of Benghazi because the British have cut the road.

Strafing by Air Force

British bombers and fighters are increasing General Rommel’s difficulties and are not allowing the retreating columns the slightest respite. There are still enemy pockets of resistance in the Bardia. Solium, and Halfaya areas, but their cleaning up is a matter of time. They will either be starved out or forced to submit by force.

The Algiers radio said that the British took 10,000 prisoners in the Benghazi area. It is estimated that another 40,000 Italians are still north-eastward of Benghazi. Reuter’s correspondent in Cyrenaica, describing the advance to Benghazi, says: “It was amazing to find Italian tanks wrecked in the last campaign lying on the roadside 20 together in one place and also similar evidence of the present campaign. I inspected 14 Italian 13-ton tanks which were in splendid condition apart from broken radios. All were abandoned because the petrol had been used up. “The Italian civil population in the various centres seemed resigned to the second British invasion. Their ,attitude to our troops is correct and polite.” •/

In announcing the occupation of Benghazi, a Middle East war communique from Cairo states: “The Royal Dragoons were the first to enter the town. They report that thp town is devastated. Despite bad weather and heavy going after rainour strong mobile columns are. still striking at the retreating enemy everywhere in the area between Benghazi and Jedabaya and even further west, inflicting casualties, taking prisoners, and capturing or destroying quantities l of enemy transport and material. Small bodies or eriemy troops, believed to be almost entirely Italian, still remain in the area north-west of Benghazi and are being dealt with.

“In the frontier area we eliminated yet another of the isolated posts near Bardia.

Many Vehicles Destroyed

“Our air force yesterday maintained their very effective attack against enemy columns of troops and motor vehicles, destroying a large number of vehicles, including petrol tankers and troop carriers. A large number of enemy aircraft were found which had been destroyed on the ground by our air forces." A communique issued by Royal Air Forde Headquarters in the Middle East states: “During Wednesday aircraft of the Royal Air Force and South African Air Force continued their attacks on enemy motorised convoys retreating westwards into Tripolitania. Many , vehicles were destroyed or damaged and casualties were again inflicted on enemy personnel. In a low-flying attack on the aerodrome at El Agheila JUS2 was set on fire while at Nofilia another JU j 52 and a JU 87 on the ground W.ere destroyed. Other enemy aircraft were severely damaged. It is now known that in a raid on'another aerodrome by Maryland bombers of the South African Air Force on Tuesday, direct hits were obtained on two enemy aircraft. During Tuesday night this aerodrome was again bombed as was the landing ground at El Agheila. From these and other operations two of, our aircraft are missing.”