Axis Forces Chased Back to Solium

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 115, 16 May 1941, Page 7

Axis Forces Chased Back to Solium

EGYPTIAN BORDER THRUST ENDS IN FAILURE TOBRUK STRIKES AGAIN (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 14. In the Solium area on the 4 Egyptian frontier, where the Axis forces early this week were repulsed by British tank forces while attempting a reconnaissance In force, the enemy have again withdrawn to their original positions south and west of Solium. Here they are being continuously harried by British mechanised patrols. This fact is related in to-day’s com*munique from British General Headquarters at Cairo. The communique also says that, during a limited offensive operation carried out b jy British troops from Tobruk, two German medium tanks were destroyed and many casualties were inflicted on the enemy. In Abyssinia, despite road obstructions and other physical difficulties, the two British forces converging on the Italian. stronghold of Arnba Alagi are making satisfactory progress. In the Lakes area south of Addis Ababa, further success has been gained by the capture of a strongly-defended enemy position. The prisoners taken number 500, together with two batteries of artillery, five light tanks, and one anti-tank gun. British troops have also occupied Algi, an important post north of Yavello.

On the Neghelli-Dale road, the pursuit of the enemy is continuing. In an action on May 12 with the enemy 1 earguard, which was driven back with heavy losses, the British troops captured more than 100 prisoners. A Berlin spokesman claimed to-day that the Italian and German forces had advanced their front line 45 miles into Egypt by a surprise thrust which started from Solium on May 12. The front lines around Tobruk also had been advanced, the spokesman added.