BATTLES RAGE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20823, 30 June 1942, Page 5

BATTLES RAGE

EIGHT FOR EGYPT CH ANGEDT ACTIOS ARTILLERY V. TANKS ■ ROMMEL’S TWO DRIVES (By Telegraph—tress Assn.— ilopvrlcht.) (3 ojh.) LONDON, June 28. The Battle of Egypt entered t.iO second day still fluid in character and consisting mostly of duels south of Mersa Matruh between artillery and tanks fought out in swirling dust and intense heat. The Daily Telegraph’s correspondent with the Eighth Army reports that our main positions are authoi natively stated to be intact. General Rommel made a heavy frontal attack against our main positions and simultaneously attempted outflanking movements southwards of the line. Our armoured units delivered strong blows against both thrusts. Two main battles developed, firstly, from the west of Mersa Matruh. where we went forward to attack before the enemy reached the main positions, and secondly, south of Mersa Matruh, where British and Axis forces of all arms clashed fiercely. Both battles r- which began yesterday afternoon are k- continuing to-night. Correspondents in the Middle East 1 suggest that the British tactics in the Battle of Libya have been considerably modified. New British Guns The Associated Press’ corresponf dent at Cairo says that each side is setting guns against its adversary s tanks and armoured cars There is comparatively little pitched tank fighting. Artillery is playing a greater part and infantry in fixed positions is counting for less than in the earlier stages. The British have brought up a f large number of newly-arrived guns, particularly six-pounder anti-tankers. & British and German mobile artillery Efe are constantly seeking to ambush I?, enemy tanks. r The Times’ military writer says that the main forces are probably F; now engaged.-The “battle of groups mentioned in the communique probfr ably will replace the Battle of Libya’s stationary boxes. The Daily Telegraph s correspondent says that .the Battle of the Groups normally include tanks, armoured cars, anti-tank guns, and , antiaircraft guns. The Times says it is again apparent that the enemy is losing ho time. The attack can only be described as extremely dan--B£After the initial Axis attack, the W- Allies counter-attacked westward of L Mersa Matruh, says the Associated V Press,’ Cairo correspondent. Some f action went oh all night, and at dawn fightihg broke opt with redoubled fury »*' over wide stretches. . Italian Generals Killed Rfutel-’s Cairo correspondent says that the battle began with two main clashes, one southwards of Mersa Matfruh arid the other further westwards, in which big enemy forces were involved. The corfespondeht adds that L. the enehiy has not by-passed the main f~ British positions. f-- The Rome radio announced that - Gefieral Baldesafre, an army corps commander, and General Piacenze were killed.in the fighting in North Africa oh Friday., ’ . ' . , According to a 'report from Ankara, the Germans are already shipping supplies to Tobruk. Small ships take on supplies at Piraeus and Salonika, halt at Crete, and then dash to Tobruk under the cover of darkness. Military quarters in Ankara estimate that over 25 per cent of the entire Luftwaffe is operating m various parts of the Mediterranean.

MALTA’S QUIET DAY

(British Official Wireless.) (2.40 p.m.) RUGBY, June 28. Malta was attacked by several enemy raiders this morning. Bombs were dropped near an aerodrome. Slight damage was caused. The day was Malta’s quietest for some time.