TROOPS IN LIBYA

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24144, 10 December 1941, Page 9

TROOPS IN LIBYA

DOMINION DIVISION PART OUTSIDE TOBRUK MOPPING UP ELSEWHERE (Official News Service, N.Z.E.F.) c . CAIRO, Nov. 8 Sections of the New Zealand forces are still fighting in various areas. Part of our force is at Tobruk, where it is eil ß ll ß6d on the new outer perimeter, and others are in the Bardia sector, where mobile columns are operating. It is said that several determined enemy attacks have been beaten off by New Zealanders in the Tobruk circle and heavy casualties have been inflicted on the enemy. Artillery is engaged and is using some weapons and material captured from the Germans. The high standard of New Zeala.vl artillcry is again emphasised. The Bartna-Tobruk area appears to be clear of the enemy, and no Germans have been seen on intermediate roads durthe last 24 hours. The New Zealand dressing station which was captured by Germans at Sidi Rezegh has been found, and the wounded are being evacuated. The artillery also recovered some guns from this area. •

Clearing Up Operations The main occupation of the New Zealanders at present, apart from the force at Tobruk, is clearing the northern sector, where many prisoners have been taken and much material captured. This is particularly so in the Gambut area, which place the New Zealanders took in the first days of fighting. The enemy had petrol, food, ammunition and stores hidden in many wadis, and these are proving useful to our forces.

A despatch dated Tobruk, December 3, states: Two solid German infantry attacks were yesterday repulsed by one New Zealand unit which fights gamely on outside the widened perimeter of the Tobruk defences. One attack was launched early in the afternoon, but the New Zealanders quickly smashed it. Toward dark the Germans made another effort to rout this lone unit, but again they were driven off. Reinforcements of cooks and storemen have been sent to the aid of the unit, which has now been given a minor task. They are in a defensive role alongside Australians and British troops. Positional Troops Held

Short jabs, which can be described as "feelers," were made all around Tobruk yesterday by the enemy. No serious attempt was made to penetrate the defences and it is plain that the Hun is merely endeavouring to find the strength of the British and Dominion troops. Most of the Hun positional troops are now believed to be ineffective. They are contained at Bardia, Solium and in the Halfaya Pass sector, and those around Sidi Rezegh have suffered terrific casualties. The Germans still have some tanks left, and parts of their two panzer divisions, supported by lorried infantry, are still operating.