CLIMAX NEAR

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20826, 3 July 1942, Page 5

CLIMAX NEAR

BATTLE OF EGYPT EFFORT AUCHINLECK'S PLANS CHECKING "NAZI ONSET (By Telefrraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (3.15 p.m.) LONDON, July 1. A battle in which the main armoured forces of both sides are engaged opened early this morning west of Alamein. No news has yet been received in Cairo regarding the progress of the battle, which is at the northern end of the 40-mile line on which the Eighth Army is making a stand between the sea and the Kattara depression. 'After forced daylight marches, the Germans and Italians concentrated at the southern end of the British line, where General Rommel is gathering heavy artillery, apparently aiming to punch a hole and then outflank the defences nearer the coast. The Eighth Army's line takes every advantage of the rocky terrain. General Sir Claude Auchinleck apparently plans to use the line as a buffer with Which to take the first shock of General Rommel’s outset and then halt the Italians and Germans with the support of troops and reserves.. The German 90th light motorised Panzers and Italian motorised units are engaged in the northern battle. Several Defence Lines The Associated Press Cairo correspondent says that there are several defence lines in which thousands of troops and hundreds of cannon are between the Nile and the Axis forces. The. enemy is receiving some supplies , b% air,,'but the Royal Air Force is taking heavy, toll of the air transports. The Daily Express correspondent at battle headquarters says that the battle is reaching a climax undent the full moon. The army and the Royal Air Force are putting out a supreme sfforti The Germans have managed to get a couple of trains running, which are bringing up supplies and reinforcements from the Tobruk area. The ' Germans are using some of the captured General Grant tanks and 25pounder field guns. . The Berlin radio stated this morning that Axis troops already were attacking Alamein, which the radio says is the last fortified position before Alexandria. The radio added that German and .Italian troops, advancing on a broad front, are continuously attack--111 American naval observeVs believe that if General Rommel reaches Alex- / ahdria Germany may seize the French naval squadron which has been immobilised there since the 1940 armistice, recondition it, and attempt to wrest control of the eastern Mediterranean from the British. Rear-Admiral Auboyneau announced in London that the French units at Alexandria consist of the battleship Lorraine, ' three modem Bin. gun cruisers, one 6in. gun cruiser, three destroyers, and one submarine. The vessels retain only portions of their crews. ’ _ EGYPTIAN CABINET MEETS (2 p.m.) CAIRO, July 1. A Cairo message says the Egyptian Cabinet met last night. Earlier, the Prime Minister, Nahas Pasha, had an audience with King Farouk.