OCCUPATION OF BARDIA

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24131, 25 November 1941, Page 7

OCCUPATION OF BARDIA

BIG TANK BATTLE NEAR TOBRUK BRITISH MOVE TO CLOSE GAP EFFORT TO CUT OFF GERMANS' RETREAT By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received November 24. 11.33 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 24 As the great battle spreads over the desert of Cyrenaica it becomes more and more difficult to. get a clear picture of the operations. The main tank battle is still in the Sidi Rezegh area. The British forces from Tobruk continue to advance and have taken many prisoners. The occupation of Bardia by the New Zealand forces was reported from Cairo yesterday. The communique stated: "The centre of gravity in the main tank battle between British and "German armoured forces now appears to be about Sidi Rezegh, 10 miles south-east of the perimeter of Tobruk. Throughout the night the battle was continued without cessation, and it is continuing this morning (Sunday). "Exceptional Climatic Difficulties" "iMeanwhile, the New Zealand forces, in the face of exceptional climatic difficulties, continued on Saturday their advance from initial positions west of Sidi Omar. Rapidly capturing Sidi Azeiz and Capuzzo, these forces pushed on westward. By Saturday evening they had reached positions south of Gambut, leaving • a detachment to occupy Bardia, which was reported clear of the enemy. "While these operations were proceeding, Indian troops captured Sidi Omar and Nuovo, gradually extending the area of their penetration in the rear of the defensive position's held between Halfaya and Sidi Omar. "Continuing their advance against opposition, British forces from Tobruk again captured many hundreds of prisoners, of whom 50 per cent are Germans. Continuous air support was given by our air forces throughout the day. Low-flying bomber and fighter attacks were made on enemy tanks, armoured fighting vehicles and motor transport, and much damage was inflicted." Germans' Water Supply Cut Off It is learned in Cairo that the New Zealanders cut the pipeline from Bardia to Solium. No more water is reaching the Germans in Solium. The advance forces from Tobruk are now within two miles ef our armoured division proceeding northward, a high British officer told a correspondent at desert headquarters. German tanks which assembled near EI Adem on Saturday night led a fierce and powerful attack on Sunday in an attempt to recapture Sidi Rezegh, but a British armoured brigade" and a support group, including a famous Line regiment, held their ground in a battle lasting for an hour. British armoured units, with South Africans in support, are gaining new positions to cut off the German retreat, and artillery -is already in position to cover the remaining gap. A South African force is reported to be driving toward an Italian armoured division which has been re-formed 30 miles west of El Adem, presumably in an effort to screen the withdrawal j of the Axis forces to Derna.