SWIRLING MASS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24133, 27 November 1941, Page 9

SWIRLING MASS

ONRUSH OF TANKS BARRAGE OF SHELLS SOUTH AFRICANS' FIGHT (Reed. 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 28 When General Rommel's tanks tried to break through at Sidi Rezegh the South African anti-tank gunners, firing at point-blank range, took a heavy toll of German tanks, reports Reuter's correspondent with the South Africans, in a delayed message. Contact with the Germans was first established on Sunday, when their tanks met such an effective barrage that they were forced to withdraw. The attack was renewed on Monday after a night during which the South Africans were subjected to continuous artillery fire. Every Means Exploited The German tanks exploited every means in a frantic attempt to smash through, 3®d the battlefield was soon a swirling mass of tanks, armoured cars, artillery and infantry. The South Africans fought their greatest battle. The Cairo spokesman said this engagement was of the type the enemy might launch if he desired to obtain elbow-room in preparation for a retreat westward. The action occupied a matter of minutes. The enemy tanks attempted to dash through and do all possible dfimage before the anti-tank guns could be realigned for a second shot. The South Africans did extremely well to hold the Germans until British tanks were able to come up and counter-attack. Germans Mistaken for British As illustrating the confused nature of the desert tank fighting, the Times special correspondent in Libya tells how formations of American tanks with a brigade headquarters supply column were suddenly attacked near Sidi Rezegh aerodrome by 80 German tanks. When they were spotted the German tanks were mistaken for British, and the first warning of the attack came from tracer shells and bullets flying among the headquarters trucks. The officer signalled the transport to scatter, which it did, through a hail of artillery and tank shells and machinegun bullets from supporting German infantry. Most of the transport got away safely, leaving the artillery and tanks to fight the Germans until dark. CHARGED HEAD-ON OPPOSING TANK FORCES BATTLE FOR AERODROME "LIKE OLD-TIIVIE CAVALRY" CAIRO, Nov. 20 Some of the most savago tank fighting occurred for possession of the aerodrome of El Adcm, says the Sydney Morning Herald's war correspondent. An officer who took part told me that the aerodrome was a horrible sight, pock-marked with shell holes and littered with shattered bodies and the smoking ruins of tanks. "It was a ding-dong battle, rather like old-time cavalry fighting," he said. "Fifty or 60 German tanks lined up on one side of the aerodrome charged at full speed across it, and 50 or 60 of our tanks charged out to meet them. They met in the centre of the aerodrome and pounded away at each other in clouds of dust and smoke. "Then they drew apart, leaving flaming wrecks of tanks behind. This was repeated again and again, neither side gaining any definite advantage, although the Germans lost much more heavily than wo did. "By nightfall the whole aerodrome was cluttered up with wrecked tanks and mutilated bodies. It was the most savage fighting I have ever seen, both sides refusing to yield ground and fighting with furious determination. "Some of the opposing tanks simply charged one another head on, locking together while the crews fought it out with machine-guns and hand grenades." ENEMY CONVOY SUNK CENTRAL MEDITERRANEAN TWO SHIPS BOUND SOUTH (Reed. 6.5 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 25 An Admiralty communique says: "Our surface patrols in the Central Mediterranean yesterday sank an enemy south-bound convoy consisting of two medium-sized supply ships. The escorting destroyers escaped. We suffered no damage and no casualties." BATTLESHIP READY LONDON, Nov. 25 The Paris radio stated that the battleship Duukerque has been repaired at Oran, Algeria, and is ready for service. '