RING OF IRON

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXII, Issue 287, 3 November 1942, Page 5

RING OF IRON

AUSTRALIANS’ GOOD WORK. (11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 2. Tin; British United Press correspondent in Cairo says the dinieult stretch of sand dunes is the only lino of escape for the cornered Axis forces. The Associated Press correspondent says tho Australians on I 1 rill.*;, mgnt put the enemy troops in the pocket. In tho face of considerable opposition from the enemy infantry they wiped out Axis nests and took prisoners ns they progressed, after overcoming tlie opposition with the bayonet.

The enemy concentration is not wholly encircled j but is ringed with iron with sufficient completeness to render the position untenable. The main armour of the Afrikn Corps is further west. There are also great British armoured formations in other parts of the. desert ready to deal their own thrusts. To a communication lodged on Sunday the British United Press correspondent near Mersa ilamra says German shock troops, supported by artillery and heavy mortars attempted to attack the .British line in the westward salient between the railway and the coast. J lie fiercest lighting developed for a post south•vvard of the railway. The Daily Telegraph s correspond dent on the Alamein front reports that the most recent prisoners came from the hard-worked 104th German • Division. It is evident that tho weight of our barrages is a source or considerable concern to the cnc “>' Prisoners and deserters stated * the barrage is not only affecting the morale of the enemy but the casualties inflicted by it are heavioi tliau was at first supposod.