BATTLE OF EGYPT

Grey River Argus, 30 June 1942, Page 5

BATTLE OF EGYPT

TWO ENEMY ATMS: X v/?; ?•?■??'' ■??- ? ■ 'A ? ~ rAT MERSA MATRUH . T ' • » Heavy Tank Fghting [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Awi.’ LONDON, June 28. - The battle for Egypt has begun. Marshal Von Rommel on Saturday! opened an attack on Mersa Matron,, held by the British Eighth Army. ; “The Tinies’’ says: Again it is apparent the enemy is losing no time. The attack can only be described as extremely dangerous. . . i “The. Times’s” military writer, says:' The main forces are probably, now. engaged., Reuter’s Cairo correspondent says: The battle began with two main, clashes,’orfe south of Mersa/Matruh arid the other further west, wherein -big enemy forces are involved. He*'adds: The enemy has not by-, passed the main British positions? ' The Cairo correspondent of the British Associated Press said: After an initial attack by Axis forces, Allied'. forces counter-attacked westward of Mersa Matruh/' Some action went-on all night, and at dawn on Sunday fighting broke out with redoubled fury over wide stretches. The Roirie radio announced that General • Baldasarre, army corps commander, and General -Piacehze, were killed in the fighting in North Africa on Friday.

Second Day of Battle artillery playing main PART. LONDON, June 28. To-day (Sunday), the Battle of Egypt entered the second day, and is still fluid in character, consisting mostly of duels south of Mersa Matruh, between artillery and tanks, fought out in swirling dust and intense heat. Sunday’s British communique at Cairo stated: On Saturday our forces closed with the enemy and heavy fighting followed all day. German forces by-passed our positions west of Mersa Matruh. They were met by our battle groups. Some enemy tanks were attacked bv our forces west of Mersa Matruh. Fighting is continuing. The “battle groups” mentioned in the communique probably replace the battle of Libya’s stationary boxes. The London “Daily Telegraph’s” correspondent says: Battle groups normally include tanks, armoured cars, anti-tank guns and antiaircraft guns. Our main positions are stated to be intact. Von Rommel made a heavy frontal, attack against our main positions, and simultaneously attempted outflanking movements south of{ our line. Our armoured cars delivered strong blows against both thrusts Two main battles developed, first, from the west of Mersa Matruh, where we went forward to attack before the enemy reached the main positions. Secondly, south of Mersa Matruh, where the British and Axis forces of all arms clashed fiercely. Both battles began on Saturday afternoon continuing at night. A news agency correspondent with the Eighth Army stated: On our side the mpXv for road” leading to? the front line has been lorries ot all kinds carrying new arms and ammunition to the British Tommies, who, as always on the eve of battle, are cool, collected and sure of them, selves. They know what the Germans are and what the fight will be, and they fullv realise their responsibility. The battle will end only with the destruction of Marshal Von Rommel’s forces or with their presence on the open road which leads to the Nile Delta. ?

The Associated Press Cairo correspondent says: Each side is setting guns against the adversary’s tanks and armoured cars. There is comparatively little pitched tank fighting. Artillery is playing a greater part, and infantry in fixed positions are counting for less than in the earlier stages. The British brought up a large number of newly arrived guns, particularly six-pounder antitankers. British and German mobile artillery are constantly seeking to ambush enemy tanks. The “Sunday Times” says: While not denying the gravity of the situation, there is a credit side to Libya. It has been a valuable second front. The Russians have gained by the attraction there, first of panzer divisions, tanks of the latest pattern, anti-tank guns, and other armaments that would otherwise have been used against them, and secondly, of masses of aircraft required, not only for Libya itself, but also to neutralise British aircraft operating from Malta against the Axis lines of communication. . It is a thousand ■pities we could not spare sufficient long-range , bombers to strike decisively from Libya at these comnimicatibns, but here we encounter tlit reaction of events in the Far East. It may well be we were hampered in this respect by having to mee\ the needs of India and Ceylon. Simikrly, Libya must have suffered from/he .withdrawal of the seasoned Australian troops for the defence of their Swn country. The tax nn shipping and escorts for replacement of the Australians by other troops, as wellhs for the Madagascar operations, nust have increased the difficulties i\ supplying Libya.” BRlTlkl AIR OPERATIONS.

\ LONDON/ June 28. The R.Ap, in Sunday’s Middle East communique stated: Both our own and enVny air forces were active over thi battle area on Saturday. Our fi’giters made offensive sweeps and ihconnaissances together with low litfel attacks on enemy ground landing grounds. In one of these attacks on transport vehicles betwee, Sidi Barrani and Mersa Matruh Wme troop transports were knocfed out and enemy troops killed, mother successful attack was made Yom low level on aircraft at the Brna aerodrome. Two MesserschmitftiQ9’s were destroyed during these) operations. Qn Friday night our flight bombers, including the United States Army Air Corps, struck in anal around the battle area and bonded transport and tank concentrations between Sidi Barrani and Meisa Matruh, causing numerous fires\and explosions. At Tobruk, fires. vtere started on the jetties. An eneEy supply ship off Tobruk was bombei and ma-chine-gunned, and left at a Standstill. In addition to figures alrtady' given, a further seven enemy\aircraft were destroyed over thd batUe area on Friday. Night fighters am antiaircraft guns shared the destruction of a Junkers 88. On Friday. bight, also, our fighters destroyed one/Messerschmitt and three Italian aircraft over Malta, while a further three Italian machines were destroyed "off Malta on Saturday. Enemy bombers raided our positions near Daba. Flv? of our aircraft are missing from these operations. r '■ >

Latest British Report

HEAVY FIGHTING ON MONDAY.i (Rec. 1.10.) LONDON, June 29.’ A British Headquarters communique issued at' < Oairp ron /Monday states: Heavy fighting between mobile arid -armoured forces t has continued on Monday, ', over ,a-. very lar£e area to the south-,westwards of Mersa Matruh.!,: There sare ;ho details avail-; < Newspaper. correspondents suggest the, British. : tac|ips-the . battip of Libya have been " considerably modified? ‘ ? VERY FLUlii FIGHTING. ’ ENEMY’S STRONG . EFFORT. ; TOTAKE'MERSAMATRUH. (Rec. 12.0.) RUGBY, June 29. : A News Agency correspondent in the Western Desert . reports: The Eighth Army, with its right flank at Mersa Matruh, was on Sunday fight" ing ' a terrific battle against; strong enemy armoured fopces.' - y ? . The : fighting ... extended from the coast across the ---railwayand the read - to twenty-miles to the southward.- ’ X'''??'':*:'X’?'?? He says: “While this,' the principal, battle went on,, many British troops' were operating; > behind the enemy. ’ : ?.X X. According to this correspondent, the main British arriidurea units have been considerably /reinforced, but they had not yesterday been , engaged. The : enemy was evidently making a strong effort to capture Mersa Matruh. To the south an Italian Armoured '-Division and an , Italian infaritry . division were making ■ d'.great- attempt<td:' cut i the -road arid the railway. • •; ' -The correspondent adds: Tfie aspect of the Desert war has completely, changed in the last two weeks. It is now open war, where strategy counts as much as. arms, and where anti-tank guns are' supreipe. With such fluid fighting, none can say what line will be held." —8.0.W. HOW ENEMY’S FORCES ARE PLACED. (Rec. 11.55.) LONDON, June 29. The most recent cables from press correspondents in Cairo indicate that the latest • dispositions of forces in Egypt are as follows:— The enemy’s TWenty-firse Panzer Division and the Ninetieth Light Division are operating to the. northward of a plateau ten miles southwestwards of Mersa Matruh. m The Fifteenth Panzer Diyision is in action at Hamza, which is 20 miles southwards of Mersa Matruh, where the largesf-scale fighting is reported to be now' going on. All of the engagements are still consisting of mobile affrays, between tanks and armoured cars and mounted guns. Infantry have not yet. gone into action, although both sides have big infantry forces ready. GIBRALTAR RAIDED By Enemy Planes (Rec. 12.0.) LONDON, June 29. The Berlin radio has requoted a message from Lalinea, near Gibraltar, saying that in spite of heavy anti-aircraft fire, the Gibraltar Aerodrome was attacked ’ on Sunday night. Aircraft on the ground were destroyed. Fires were observed from Lalinea and from Algerias. ENEMY AIM. CONTROL OF MEDITERRANEAN. 8.0.W. RUGBY, June 28. The “Sunday Times” says: Strategical coincidence attacks in the Crimea and Libya give the impression that the Germans are aiming at the command of the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, the isolation ot Turkey, freedom of the straits fpr their f warships and transports, and the opening of new routes of advance! to the Caucasus and oilfields, as with the oilfields in the Middle East. ; If the enemy is defeated in Egypt, these aims will be largely thwarted. It is unprofitable to speculate on the prospects of the coming battles without fuller, information than is now’ ■ available. There are encouragement and hope, however, Jin the assurances which Mr Churchill is said to have given the leaders of Congress at Washington. He, if anyone, knows the hard facts of, the situation, and he is reported to have said there was no danger of losing Egypt. May this view be quickly justified by events. Military quarters at Ankara estimate (that over 25 per cent, of the entire Luftwaffe is operating in various ..parts of the Mediterranean. Axis Reinforcements STREAM INTO TOBRUK. FROM CRETE. (Rec. 8.403 LONDON. June 29. It is reported from Ankara that two German motorised divisions and one Italian motorised division. have been moving from Crete Island to Tobruk, in a constant stream. Small craft and lighters have been brought to , Tobruk and Sidi Barrani for the landing of supplies. Water barges have also been taken to Tobruk. It is considered that the destruction of the water supply there ■has given Marshal Rommel a major! problem'. GERMAN SUPPLIES. GOING TO TOBRUK. ANKARA. June 28. The Germans are already shipping supplies to Tobruk. Small ships take on supplies at Piraeus and Salonika, halt at Crete, then dash to Tobruk under cover of darkness, EGYPTIANS ASKED TO WATCH. (Rec. 8.40.) LONDON, June 29. A proclamation has been issued in Cairo which asks that the Egyptians shall keep a close watch for landings of aeroplanes and for the presence of suspicious strangers. TOBRUK TORPEDO BOATS ESCAPE. 8.0.W. . "RUGBY, June 27. I A. number of motor torpedo boats belonging to the Mediterranean Fleet which were in Tobruk when it surrendered, have now reached Alexandria. One saved 100 men from a sinking schooner. It also picked up a man who , had swum, a rpile. These mosquito boats, whice have served with the American Navy, are the first American craft of the kind to join the Royal Navy. They are faster than the~enqmy E-boats, arid are probably the fastest units of the British Navy, reaching a speed of 47 knots. .? ’ -- ' RAID ON MALTA. 8.0.W, RUGBY, June 28. Malta was attacked by. several enemy raiders this morning. Bombs were dropped near an \ aerodrome slight damage caused. The day A was Malta’s quietest 7 for some time.

Libyan Campaign Reviewed

BY GENERAL AUCAINLECK.

UP TO TOBRUK BATTLE

. [British Official Wireless]. • / RUGBY, J une 23 , report by General Auchinleck on ; .events*in Libya U P to- the; eve-bf the fair of Tobruk was read m ' the. Commons by Mr Attlee. The report states: “The eneipy attack during the last few days of May was, expected ■ afid? preparations made accordingly. The Eighth Army, in positions from Gazala; to Bir Hacheim, was awaiting this attach- • The R.A.F.be-[ gari: counter-offensive 'action about a Week beforehand. The ebemy s . first attempt to encircle Bir Hacheim and our forward troops, was met by our armoured forces in the bridge-El Adem area. Bitter fighting ensued, in which the enemy was constantly attacked by our 1 armoured and air forces. . ■ ' | u’(At.first things appeared to be go-, ing well. The enemy, iri spite of the gap forced in our minefields, was having difficulty with.his' supplies,: arid dll our efforts, including - the * intense air attack .d.eybted tp_moreasing his.' embarrassmejit. This was probably: the crucial; moment; m the ■battle:. The/ ehemy was exhausted; arid had literally fought •himself to -a standstill. Had’ we been, able to take advantage of the;euehiy’s condition,; -we might have ; turned the scale. However, we were, equally ex-hausted.-arid; 'this was,: impossible. : )< r Oh June 3, the 'enemy ?succeeded in; overirunnifig the 150th- Brigade, ! and: establishing for ward ?bases in the j minefield area. In an attempt tb rethe position and drive him out, General? Ritchie ?courit.er,-attCked . on Jtiriet 4?.' On ; the . jhformutipmiavailable, the chances of fhis?at ; tack sebm- : ed good, and it had been prbcedbd by | adequate careful recbnnaissarice. It now appears that it was in fact premature. The enemy put in a fierce-ebUnter-stroke in the face of which we were forced to withdraw, with considerable losses. ‘The enemy then concentrated his attention on Bir Hacheim,-which was garrisoned by the Free French and had already been subjected to heavy pressure on the defended locality by the eriiployment of mobile troops. Intense air support was provided by the R.A.F. General Ritchie decided the risk of maintaining his isolated garrison was too great and withdrew it on June 10. The Free French defended Bir Hacheim with the utmost tenacity and endurance. Their forces served tb delay the enemy and contain a considerable enemy force. With the fair of Bir Hacheim these enemy forces were released, and the enemy pressed his attack in the Knightsbridge to El Adem area. Heavy fighting : ensued, and although the troops and Air Force fought with the greatest skill for three days, lafer we were forced to abandon some positions at Knightsbridge, which opened the way for the qpq»> to break through to the coast/Jo 1 try to cut off the First South African and the Fiftieth Divisions in their nositions south of Gazala. General Ritchie decided rightly to withdraw these divisions, an operation which was carried out with skill and a large degree of success.” Both divisions joined General Ritchie’s forces east of Tobruk, the report continued. The enemy then turned the attack on El Adem, and after a fierce battle established himself east of El Adem and the defended local area at Sidi Rezegh. For four days, the enemy was held in the air and on land, until General Ritchie withdrew to the El Adem-El Duda—Sidi Rezegh area on June 17. and concentrated his main forces towards the frontier, leaving what he considered an adequate garrison in Tobruk. On the morning of June 20, the enemy attacked Tobruk from the south, and penetrated the perimeter and positions on that portion of the Tobruk area east of the Tobruk-El Adem road. South African Division CAPTURED AT TOBRUK RUGBY, June 23. General Smuts, according to a Capetown cable has replied to a message of sympathy from Mr Attlee, stating the latest reports have little hope that any substantial numbers of the South African second division escaped from Tobruk, General Smuts says: “Our sorrow will but harden our determination. The spirit of South Africans matches that of the men at the front, and no setbacks or losses will affect our unalterable resolve to fight till final victory." It is disclosed that the garrison which held the Tobruk fort throughout the fighting, was. largely South Africans, but the South African ■force which was withdrawn from Gazala, did not- go into After Tobruk became invested, ’only very small bodies of men were able to escape, some by sea and some by land. - ? Before the enemy captured* Tobruk troops . from the United Kingdom, South Africa, - and India destroyed everything possible that was likely to be of use to the Germans. It is stated that the destruction was more successful than might have been expected in the short space of time. MR BEVIN HOPEFUL. LONDON, J*une 28. At a public meeting, i Mr Bevin said: We had a reverse but none yet cjuite knew- the facts. “The battle is not over yet. We are not defeated. I am quite confident that if we wait for the end of the story, the British Army and Air Force will get its second wind, and restore the position. It is not the way to win a battle by asking for reports and details or holding inquiries, while the battle is on. The striking thing is the courage of the-Eighth Army notwithstanding what it lost. Its courage is as great to-day, as when the battle began. I have great faith in the Eighth Armv.