AGAINST EGYPT

Grey River Argus, 21 May 1941, Page 5

AGAINST EGYPT

Held tip by British

[Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assi.

RUGBY, May 19.

A Cairo communique states that there is no change in the situation at Tobruk. In the area south of Solium, two enemy columns supported by numerous tanks crossed the frontier, but. withdrew after being engaged by the forward elements of our mechanised forces.

(Received May 21, 1.5 a.m.) LONDON, May 20.

A correspondent with the British forces in “Hellfire” Pass says: Theie are indications that the Germans are now preparing an attempt to regain lost ground. There was a sudden British thrust on Thursday and Friday last, which is believed to have caused a serious dislocation in their preparations for an attack on the Egyptian frontier.

“The Germans at present are. in a position almost the same as that which they held a month ago. It is a dangerous one, because it leaves open their right flank to harrassing action by fast-moving British forces. “The Germans can, therefore, be expected to make a vigorous effort to push our forces back to the previous line, which is some thirty-five miles back. We have gained in two days’ fighting three hundred square miles of territory, there being now no enemy troops on Egyptian soil, apart from roving patrols of them.

“How the enemy was caugnt at a disadvantage was shown by the capture of five hundred prisoners, besides casualties inflicted by enemy tanks and other vehicles, which the Germans had been reserving for the r intended big push. These were forced into action in order to save a 159 square mile triangle, which is formed by Solium, Fort Capuzzo and Bardia, from threatened encirclement by our mobile flank. A tank officer with nine tanks in an arrowhead formation, engaged forty enemy tanks. They fought a toe-to-toe engagement, not only preventing the Germans from getting among British columns of motor-borne infantry, but actually putting them to flight with much damage.