Germans in Libya Under-rated

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 290, 6 December 1941, Page 7

Germans in Libya Under-rated

WERE BRITISH RESERVES WITHHELD TOO LONG? LONDON, Dec. 4. Looking back over the campaign in Libya, it seems that General Sir Claude Auchinleck probably withheld a trifle too loug some of his plentiful reserves. It probably resulted from faulty intelligence concerning Rommel’s tank strength, which most commentators in London tended to disparage, as well as the German commander himself. It is now being realised that Britain is up against a first-rate soldier and a still formidable armoured strength. General Auchinleck and General Cunningham made the campaign difficult for Rommel in the early stages because, ef their swift blows. He replied just m swiftly, and because he blotted the eriginal British plan, he can be said te be leading on points. That does not say that the British plan will fail, but it will not be helped by belittling and under-estimating the enepny. The Cairo correspondent of the London Daily Telegraph says: “British tank units have waged two battles a day for 11 days against a determined enemy. We are fighting German corps d’eltte, which !has never considered retreat or surrender, but which will damage us as much as it can and as long as it has a kick left. The British have the advantage of considerable new units, but are at a disadvantage because the majority of the German tanks are bigger. The German weight in this campaign has out-countered the British speed, manoeuvrability, and numerical superiority. The German six-pounder anti-tank gun has proved better than the British two-pounder for blitzing tactics, though the British 25-pounder has proved effective in defence. Another point which has emerged from the campaign is that the superiority of the R.A.F- cannot be exploited to the full because it is not effective enough against tanks.’’

Patrols and flying columns are ranging the Libyan battlefield despite the worst possible weather, but the main forces continue with the reconditioning of fighting vehicles, strengthening communications, and regrouping units which at any moment are likely to re* engage in bitter battles. A Cairo message says that General Sir Alan Cunningham’s men are eagerly awaiting another chance to get to grips with the Germans. The New Zealanders and South Africans are particularly keen for a chance oi paying oft old scores. The New Zealanders have already hit Rommel’s forces eftremely heavy blows, and it is now revealed that the Germans broke through the Tobruk corridor only after a terrific battle in which the New Zealanders inflicted such losses that they seriously impaired the Germans’ effective strength. Driving rain continues on the coast, with sandstorms inland. Rain has hampered operations in Libya during the past 24 hours British armoured columns are harassing the enemy, who are apparently using the Treigh-Capuzzo gpad from west tc east.