NEW ATTACKS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20837, 16 July 1942, Page 3

NEW ATTACKS

AXIS IN_ EGYPT ALLIED LINE HOLDS STRONG AIR SUPPORT VAST BLAZE AT TOBRUK (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Noon.) LONDON, July 15. Reports from Cairo state that the Axis forces under General Rommel yesterday launched further attacks against the Allied positions west of Alamein. The principal attack was made on the coastal sector and this time the enemy, profiting by his earlier experience, deferred his attacks until the evening. The indications are that the Allied line is holding firm against these fresh onslaughts. The Allied air forces are again playing an active part, both in supporting the land forces and in operations behind the enemy lines. A particularly successful raid against Tobruk is reported, a number of fires which broke out being stated to have later merged into one vast blaze. British air activity in the battle area and over Malta is outlined by the Middle East Air Ministry news service. Strenuous attacks were made on enemy land forces throughout Tuesday, when fighter-bombers not only broke the; previous day’s record for the number of sorties but also did impressive damage. Direct Hits on Transports Day bombers scored at least six direct hits on enemy vehicles, one of which blew up. Fighter-bomber pilots observed 10 . direct hits on other vehicles. Another attack was made on a convoy of large troop-carrying vehicles, from which all the troops fled on the approach of the British planes. A group consisting of one tank, two armoured cars, and 12 motor vehicles was also attacked. Only one vehicle survived destruction or severe damage./ Another target was a formation of tanks and armoured cars. Six tanks and two armoured cars received direct hits. The Luftwaffe attempted several times to interfere, but was engaged either by fighter escorts or patrolling fighter squadrons. Fighter-bombers destroyed one Messerschmitt 109 and fighters shot down three of the same type and one C.R. 42. Several other enemy aircraft were damaged. On Sunday night heavy and medium bombers raided Benghazi and Tobruk. The United States Army Air Corps participated in the Benghazi attack, where a large ship was set on fire. Fires were also started at Tobruk, where another ship was claimed to have been hit. Naval aircraft on the same night bombed enemy tanks and concentrations of transport in the battle area, starting fires and blowing up vehicles. Three enemy machines' were destroyed and others damaged when Spitfires intercepted' a raid on Malta on Tuesday. British fighters, in a low-level attack on a small enemy naval craft in the Mediterranean on Monday night, scored many hits with cannon and machine-gun fire. Ten British aircraft are missing from all these operations, but one pilot is safe. German Attack Held An agency correspondent with the Egyptian army cables that Australian troops, helped by South African artillery on their left flank, held up a strong German attack on Monday which culminated in a violent flanking movement, with the Germans evidently attempting to cut the road at the railway leading to our new positions. • In a sandy valley within sight of the sea, fighting went on without a break all day. Large numbers of German tanks, followed by Italian infantry, smashed against the Australian line to be met by the terrific and very accurate fire of our artillery. Seeing their efforts doomed to failure they launched at 4 p.m. a violent thrust- on the narrow terrain on the flank of the Australians, but by nightfall all our positions had been main- . tained. The Royal Air Force was practically unable to bomb the battlefield owing to the closeness of the opposing forces. The fighting in Egypt is going on under the full intensity of the summer sun. The heat is almost unbearable and the strain on the men is growing heavier daily, says The Times’ correspondent at Cairo. The supply problem is more acute for both sides because of the increased consumption of water and petrol.