GREAT FEAT

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

GREAT FEAT

TAKING OF CAPUZZO NEW ZEALANDERS' ADVANCE NOW STRONGLY ESTABLISHED \ LONDON, Nov. 24 Major-General P. J. Mackesy, writing in the Daily Telegraph, says the New Zealanders' capture of Capuzzo constituted a great feat of arms, involving complete encirclement of this strong point in the rear of the Halfava-Sidi Omar positions. The New Zealanders continue to advance toward Gambut, the capture of which would deprive the Axis of a big fuel supply centre, also one of Libya's best aerodromes. The New Zealanders encircled Capuzzo on the first day of the battle after crossing the frontier immediately south of Capuzzo, says the Times Cairo correspondent. Indian troops at the coastal end of the line simultaneously crossed the frontier and got behind the enemy's forts north of Capuzzo. The New Zealanders captured Capuzzo with litte opposition and took a number of prisoners. They then moved on quickly beyond Bardia and Solium. They are now strongly established on the escarpment between Bardia and Tobruk. Another message says they are near Gambut. Some of the New Zealanders are reported to be pushing on to join the big battle south-east of Tobruk.

AMERICAN EXPERT'S VIEW NEW YORK, Nov. 23 The military expert, Major George Feilding Eliot, writing in the New York Herald-Tribune, says the magnificentlytimed British offensive in Libya has a good chance to relieve the entire MiddleEast and open up further offensive possibilities in the Mediterranean against Sicily and Sardinia, and even Italy itself. He added: "There is a good prospect of the spectacle of a German panzer corps surrendering in the open field being afforded the world."

AMERICAN TANKS GENERAL'S ENTHUSIASM CONFIDENCE IN AIRCRAFT (Kccd. 7.10 p.m.) LONDON, Nov 24 The American lease-lend administrator, Mr. Averell Harriman, in a broadcast from the Middle East, said that when the first American tanks were unloaded he inspected them with General Sir Claude Auchinleck. An American sergeant drove the general in a tank to demonstrate it, and on his return Sir Claude said: "It's a fine weapon, manoeuvrable and sturdy. How many can you send?" "Many tanks have arrived in the intervening months," Mr. Harriman continued. "Your pilots also have confidence in our Marvlands and Tomahawks. The hearts of all Americans are with your troops in the desert fighting We hope and pray that our tanks and aeroplanes are serving them well, allowing xls to claim a share in the critical battle. "American air officers who were giving instructions to Russian pilots told me they adapted themselves guickly to American aeroplanes."