AID IN SIGHT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20862, 14 August 1942, Page 3

AID IN SIGHT

ALLIES IN EGYPT PASSAGE OF CONVOY ITALIAN SHIPS BOMBED (By Telegraph—Press Assn. Copyright.) (Noon) LONDON. Aug. 13. Following the sinking of the old aircraft carrier, H.M.S. Eagle, the Berlin and Rome radios are making further extravagant claims about the losses which they allege are being inflicted on the great British convoy which is known to be proceeding through the Mediterranean with reinforcements and supplies for Malta and the Eight Army. Official circles in London maintain their customary • reticence, but it is stated in informed quarters that while heavy losses to both sides are almost inevitable in an engagement of such magnitude, the claims of the enemy should not be given credence until' such time as a full official statement is possible. A Cairo message reports an attack at dusk on Tuesday by United States heavy bombers on four enemy cruisers in Navarino harbour. Three of them were damaged. Two hits on one cruiser caused a large explosion, a near-miss or hit on a second caused a huge column of black smoke, and another near-miss was scored on a third cruiser and there was an explosion aboard when .the bomb burst. Artillery Duelling A communique issued in Cairo reports patrolling activity on Tuesday night, when some prisoners were taken in the south. Land operations yesterday were confined to artillery exchanges. There was reduced air activity over thd battle area. The Times Cairo correspondent says that the lull in the Alamein , area which nas lasted for several weeks is doubtless the calm before the storm. It is not to be expected that General Rommel will dally while the rich Nile Delta and also Alexandria are almost within sight without making another determined effort. The pause was imposed on General Rommel by the necessity to bring up reinforcements and supplies over the long and difficult communications.

The Italians and Germans lost heavily in lorries in June and July and are husbanding their vehicles and making great use of barges and lighters, which, however, have been heavily punished by British and American bombers in discharge ports and also while creeping along the coast. Explosions and fires nightly at Tobruk must greatly complicate the Axis supply problem, Recently captured German prisoners shqw that new drafts are either of semi-trained boys or men over 40 years of age from garrisons in Greece and Crete.