LIBYAN BATTLE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 27 November 1942, Page 5

LIBYAN BATTLE

ALLIES IN TOUCH WITH ENEMY NO LARGE-SCALE AIR ACTIVITY CAPTURE OF AGEDABIA DESCRIBED (Rec. 9.40 a.m.) Rugby, Nov. 26. A Cairo communique states: "Our troops yesterday were in touch with the enemy between Agcdabia and Agheila. There was no large scale air activity yesterday over the Libyan battle area. Our heavy bombers on Tuesday night again attacked Tripoli, hitting targets near the Spanish mole. Our torpedo-carrying aircraft on the same night successfully attacked north of Sicily a large south-bound merchantman which was left stationary and down at the stern. Bizerta was heavily bombed and bursts were seen at the waterfront and across the quays. Our fighterbombers yesterday raided Gela airfield in Sicily, hitting buildings. In an attack on enemy shipping off Misurata a direct hit was scored on a merchantman. There was some air activity near Malta yesterday, but no aircraft succeeded in crossing the coast. From all the operations two of our planes are missing.” An account of the Eighth Army’s capture of Agedabia has reached London. Delayed messages from correspondents say the Germans clearly planned to hold the town, at least for some days, but according to prisoners’ statements the speed of our advance surprised them. They had mined the area and thrown a strong anti-tank gun screen around the town with about 12 tanks behind the screen and also an armoured car force. Our Sherman tanks and 25-pounders quickly got into position and a furious gun duel raged all day until darkness, when the enemy began to fall back leaving a train of wrecked vehicles and bodies along the desert road. Our advance elements ace now harrying German rearguards who are withdrawing rapidly towards Marasbrega, 24 miles from Agheila and a beginning of the Agheila defences. Allied tanks which took part in the Agedabia operation had advanced 600 miles in 13 days.—P.A. and 8.0. W. DESPERATE AXIS MILITARY POSITION OPINION OF CAPTURED GERMANS New York, Nov. 25. The “New York Times” correspondent with the Eighth Army says captured Germans in the Benghazi area declared that the news of the British and American advance in Tunisia had become widespread, enabling German troops to realise the desperate Axis military position in North Africa. Captives said they had reasoned things out and seeing that their opponents were closing in on two sides they decided to surrender at the first opportunity and suggested that many more would inevitably take the same view.—P.A.