13,000 PRISONERS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20649, 27 December 1941, Page 6

13,000 PRISONERS

MOVED FROM LIBYA AXIS RELIEF SHIP’S FATE R.A.F. STRAFES COLUMNS (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Abbu.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 2 p.m. RUGBY, Dec. 2G. A communique issued by General Headquarters, Cairo, stated: — 13,000 PRISONERS “A small vessel bringing supplies to Axis forces beleaguered at Halfaya was engaged by our field artillery. The vessel received direct hits as a result of which it ran ashore, caught fire and was burnt out. “Our air forces again carried out sweeps over the area of operations in support of our troops and continued attacks on enemy columns. Thirteen thousand German and Italian prisoners have now reached hosiptal and prisoner-of-war camps hi the area, in addition to which a large number still remain to be evacuated frem the forward areas.” A communique issued by Royal Air Force Headquarters in the Middle East states: “Concentrations of enemy motor transport, armoured fighting vehicles and guns south-west of Jedabaya were effectively attacked by our fighters yesterday and considerable damage was done. Other enemy motorised units at the EL Agheila area were bombed during Wednesday night. Direct hits were obtained and a number of lorries destroyed. On Tuesday night objectives at Tripoli and Misurata were raided. At Tripoli direct hits were scored on the Karamanli mole, whU<? gt Misurata bombs fell on the barracks and other military buildings. Fires which broke out were seen many miles from the target. “Formations of enemy aircraft which attempted to raid Malta on Wednesday were intercepted by our fighters and two JUBB’s were shot down. A third JUBB was shot down by anti aircraft fire. From these and other operations three of our planes are missing. Rome radio stated that the fall of Benghazi was painful, but it was something to know that in contrast to the last time the Italians had taken their arms and artillery with them to continue the war on new fronts.