EIGHTH ARMY

Grey River Argus, 25 November 1942, Page 1

EIGHTH ARMY

AGAIN ENGAGED EAST OF EL AGHEILA Enemy’s Plan Uncertain [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, November 23. A British communique at Cano stated: On Sunday our troops cessfullv engaged the enemy and made progress m me neignbourhood of Agadabia. Enemy troops souU. ul th P village of Agedabia withered. Air activity was confined chiefly to hgh--Press messages say the weather continues very bad over the zone! o operations in Libya, and pilots even report seeing snow over the retrea--ins Germans, , R.A.F. Headquarters stated that for almost a week small figliter forces complete with ground staff aa U. ie l out brilliant operations far behind enemy lines. Itjnust have been disconcerting for the enemy when they found their sumfi.v lines being ground strafed by single engined machines on the road far south of Benghazi, at a stage when thev would not have expected any single engined aircraft to be'within range. A fleet of transport ’planes and ground convoys was used to make this sudden thrust at the enemy rear. The whole operation, which lasted several days, was guarded on the ground bv an exnertenced R.A.F. Armoured Car Company. After establishing an emergency landing ground, these fighters appeared over the roads far to the enemy’s rear, strafing columns of unsuspecting vehicles, which imagined they were retreating m perfect, safety. More than 100 vehicles were destroyed, and nrobablv twice that, number damaged. i A correspondent in a broadcast from the Middle East described the fate of six crack Italian divisions in the Western Desert —the Pavia, Brescia, Bologna. Ariete, Trento and FoIgoro, saying: They suffered heavy casualties,, and as soon as the breakthrough occurred found themselves abandoned by the Germans. The plight of these divisions was unhappy as they trudged back on foot acrbss the arid waste without water or adequate food. It was not long before they were filthv and lice-ridden, and there, was hardlv one not suffering from some ailment. No wonder they were rounded up in hundreds bv advancing. British and Greeks. Many died from exposure, and only a infinitestimal fraction managed to get away. Altogether six divisions were virtually written, off. The Northumbrian Brigade, which had pursued them, took only between 75 and 80 Germans.

An Italian Fascist Youth column, which had been occupying Siwa Oasis, also retreated, but before long was overtaken by R.A.F. fighter squadrons, which attacked deep in the desert, and so severely mauled the column, it must have been almost wiped out. General Smuts, in his return journey to South Africa from England, stayed a week-end in Eavot. He travelled more than 1,000 miles on Sunday. visiting as many South African units as possible. He told them that he expected the enemy to be cleared off African soil in the near future. Hp said a race had developed between the Eighth Army advancing from the East and the Allied forces closing in from the West. General Smuts left Cairo on Monday, but before departing, sent a message to General Montgomery. “I regret very, much’ that owing to vour hot pursuit of Rommel I missed you and Conyngham .to-dav. Good hunting and good luck in the race between you and Anderson for Tripoli.” i ENEMY STAND NOT INDICATED. LONDON, November 23. A press correspondent at Cairo stated: It is believed that no enemy forces are now left in the neighbourhood of Agedabia. The enemy used anti-tank guns and some tanks there in a delaying action. The most serious fighting was south of the village. “The Times” Cairo correspondent says: The question is whether the Axis troops will attempt a stand on the narrow El Agheila front, or merely use positions for further delaying tactics, while the main force speeds on towards Misurata and Tripoli, where it is possible, it will embark for Italy. The decisive factor in this question will probably be developments in Tunisia. Execrable weather continues to hamper both land and air operations. Another report said: A clash between the Eighth Army and Marshal Von Rommel’s remnants is expected at any moment.

BRITISH COMMANDO PARTIES MAKE LANDINGS IN LIBYA (Rec. 9.10) LONDON, Nov. 23. A report received in Stockholm, from Berlin, stated that British commando .parties were constantly landing along the coast of Libya behind German lines. ( SLOWER PROGRESS (Rec. 9.10) LONDON. Nov. 23. The “Daily Mail’s” Cairo correspondent says: The progress of the Eighth Army towards El Agheila may not be rapid. The roads have been mined by the enemy, and there have been other obstacles placed in the way of our forces. It may cause sharp fighting and slow progress for some time. FIGHTING IN PROGRESS OVER 30 MILES EAST OF EL AGHEILA (Rec. 9.10) LONDON. Nov. 23. Reuter’s corresnondent with the Eighth Army says: There is fighting now going on 30 or 40 miles to the eastward of the El Agheila line. Marshal Rommel is expected to make his next big stand on the El Agheila line. Enemy Stand MAY BE AT EL AGHEILA POSITION FAVOURABLE (Rec. 7.45) LONDON. Nov. 23. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Cairo correspondent says: The Eighth Army

is continuing pursuit of Marshal Rommel’s force towards El Agheila. After a six. hundred mile retreat in two and a half weeks, the Germans may try conclusions again with General Montgomery at El Agheila. which is at the gateway of Tripolltania.

He adds: El Agheila, like El Alamein, has a bottleneck, with salt marshes substituted for the Quatlara Depression. The rainy season continues for at least three months. During this period the marshes are an obstacle as formidable as the Quartara Depression. The most forward marsh is situated at Mersa Erega. which is midway between Agedabia and El Agheila. Should Marshal Rommel decide to make a stand, it is here at Mersa Brega that the Eighth Army’s advance may encounter its first breakwater. But the core of the German resistance — if this is attempted—will be most likely the line from El .Agheila along the desept track south to Marada, some 75 miles distant. A flanking move to the south of Marada by the Eighth Army is almost certainly impracticable, for the “going” would be bad. Marada, where many tracks meet, is a position which General Montgomery must force if Marshal Rommel makes a stand. It is naturally strong, and is known to be heavilv mined.