CLOSE SUPPORT

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24138, 3 December 1941, Page 7

CLOSE SUPPORT

BRITISH AIRCRAFT BATTLE OVER DESERT 15 OF ENEMY SHOT DOWN LONDON, Dec. 2 The Royal Air Force Cairo communique states: "In close eo-opera-tion with the Imperial land forces, our bomber and fighter aircraft carried out a series of successful operations over Libya on Sunday, in the course of which 18 enemy aircraft were destroyed and considerable damage was inflicted on enemy columns in the battle area. "Over El Gobi a combined force of British and South African fighters intercepted a formation of enemy machines. In the battle which followed, six GoO's, six Macchi C'2oo's and three Junkers 88's were shot down, and many other enemy aircraft were severely damaged. Three of our fighters were lost, but all the pilots are safe. "Further forces of our fighters attacked the landing ground at Martuba. Iu the Sidi Rezegh and El Duda regions, as well as along the road from El Adam to El Duda, a heavy bombing raid was made on columns of enemy motor transport. "On Saturday night bomber aircraft raided Benghazi and Derna. At Benghazi, bombs burst on the moles, while at Derna hits were obtained on the aerodrome." Shattered, rent and torn German tanks and motorised units destroyed by Imperial fighter and bomber squadrons are scattered over the Libyan Desert, states the Air Ministry news service, quoting the report of an observer who spent the day inspecting these battered derelict vehicles. The commentator, Mr. Oliver Stewart, said that the enemy's air force in the "desert consisted of nearly all the Italian air force, with a strengthening of German units. More enemy aeroplanes are now appearing over the desert, but the Allied forces still hold the mastery of the air.

GLOWING TRIBUTE

NEW ZEALANDERS' DRIVE "HACKED WAY THROUGH" CAIRO, Dec. 1 A glowing tribute to the New Zealanders, who hacked their way through the cream of Rommel's infantry to join the Tobruk garrison, is paid by the Sydney Morning Herald's war correspondent in Libya. He says that in their drive across the desert the New Zealanders were attacked by tanks, but beat them off. For a time no supplies could get through to them and they suffered from a shortage of water, food and ammunition, but they tightened their belts and carried on. They were heavily outnumbered and their communications were very much in the air, but these veterans of Greece and Crete took revenge for what they had suffered there. They had been ordered to link up with Tobruk, and link up they did. It was one of the epics of this campaign and a glorious page in New Zealand's history. Another correspondent says that when the history of the campaign comes to be written, it will reveal that the standard of fighting of the New Zealanders has been unsurpassed anywhere. The correspondent particularly praises their bayonet work, and says that the Italians break their ranks when they find themselves facing the bayonet.

IN EMPIRE'S FAVOUR BALANCE IN LIBYA GERMAN FORCES SPLIT UP (Reed. 10.50 p m.) LONDON, Dec. '2 The Daily Telegraph's correspondent at Libyan headquarters says the losses in men and material continue in our favour. This is becoming more marked as further heavy armoured reinforcements are being thrown into the fray. The Allies are also benefiting from the display of individuality, which has always distinguished the Briton from the Ten toil. As far as can be ascertained, Rommel's divisions are being more and more split up into what might be described as commandos. Like the small British units, they are frequently out of touch with one another, but carry on as a lone venture, impeding and damaging the enemy wherever it is possible. A German column consisting of several hundred vehicles which was moving along the Trigh-Capuzzo road by night, ran into newly-arrived British forces. The British attacked the column, which turned about and fled to Gambut. The Germans at dawn found another British armoured force astride their path, and British tanks and armoured cars destroyed or set fire to many of the vehicles. The Indian division which captured "Libyan Omar" late on Sunday took prisoner 400 Germans and a number of Italians. "THANKLESS TASKS" ITALIAN PAPER'S PLAINT WORRIED ABOUT LIBYA (Eecd. 7.15 p.m.) NEW YORK, Dec. 1 • The Rome correspondent of the United Press says an article in II Popolo d'ltalia admits that Italy is worried by the Libyan situation. The paper says: "It is always a thankless task to struggle against an enemy possessing overwhelming numerical superiority and great reserves. Italy's functions in the general war economy constitute another thankless task. Nevertheless, we will win and Italy will gain great splendour." A Stockholm report says the Germans are now describing the Rattle of Libya as a battle for supplies. The German newspaper Lokalanzeiger says: "The battle our soldiers are experiencing in the desert must be a veritable inferno." WAR ON FINLAND DECLARATION PREDICTED LONDON, Dec. 2 The Daily Herald says it is expected that Britain will declare war on Finland at the week-end. The newspaper adds that the fact that Britain has not already done so, in response to Russian requests, has resulted in this question becoming a major issue between the British and Soviet Governments. The Finnish Diet yesterday accepted proposals for the incorporation of territory which Finland has recaptured, from the Russians. The military administration of the recaptured territory is to continue alongside the civil administration.