PRESSURE GROWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24144, 10 December 1941, Page 8

PRESSURE GROWS

BRITISH OFFENSIVE

OPERATIONS IN LIBYA

LINK WITH TOBRUK LONDON, Dec. 0 Allied pressure against General Rommel's forces in Libya is reported from Cairo to have been heavily increased. Sidi Rezegh is once more in Allied hands and the link has been re-established with the British and Poles from Tobruk. The Germans abandoned 18 tanks on the battle; field. It is thought possible that they were abandoned because of a lack of fuel. A Cairo headquarters communique states: "Throughout the whole battle area our pressure is steadily increasing. West of Bir el Gobi an enemy force of about 30 tanks and 500 motor-vehicles was heavily shelled and attacked by our armoured forces about mid-day on Saturday, as reported in an earlier communique. In this action seven enemy tanks were destroyed and three others and a number of mechanical transports were damaged. The enemy column withdrew to the west, still harassed by our forces. Another communique states: "In the frontier area, in addition to maintaining pressure on isolated enemy parties still holding out, the enemy detachment at Bardia was shelled. Throughout the whole area our mobile columns of all arms continued offensive operations with the utmost vigour. Attacks From the Air

"The Allied nir forces continued their widespread activity in support of ground troops. In particular Acroma and the area between there and El Adem was attacked, and transports being hit." South of Tobruk .and toward El Adem the centre of the eiifmy s resistance is being vigorously attacked. The area about Sidi Rezegh and Bir-el-Hamed now appears to be entirely clear of the enemy, lighting patrols of a border regiment have been active throughout in • this area. At oidi Rezegh they found 18 modern German tanks and much equipment. Parties of Starving Germans Further east, mobile columns from the South African and New divisions have been actively scon i g the area between Bardia and lobruk north of the Trigh-Capuzzo road. A number of parties of hungry Germans have been rounded up. Large ties of petrol, ammunition and food stores were located hidden in Gambut area. . Armoured car patrols of the 11th Hussars have joined hands with patrols from the Tobruk garrison. Other parties of our troops brought in a number" of enemy anti-tank guns and other weapons. Other small parties of starving Germans were found in wadis. The tota of these stragglers now captured is about Lav. The military spokesman at Cairo states that small, powerful mobile units are now waging the mam British off l -' 1 sive. British forces are mopping up the region southward of robruk and also are pushing westward from Sidi Rezegh. British anti-tank defences are being erected between El Adem and Bir-el-Gobi.

PUSHING BACK ENEMY

DISCOVERY BY PATROLS 29 DAMAGED AIRCRAFT (Reed. 11 p.m.) LONDON, I ? ec ' ® »"ln a series of running fights in an area spreading for 35 miles southward and south-westward of Tobruk the German- main tank forces appear to be gradually withdrawing " sports Renter's correspondent with, the JUgntii Armv. "Our tanks and guns in various inconclusive engagements on Sunday knocked out or damaged over a dozen German tanks and are now gradually pushing back the enemy westward and north-westward of a line between EI Adem and El Gobi. "Rommel appears to be trying to avoid an almost inevitable fierce, fullscale battle which would be a decisive one. Our patrols found 29 damaged Messerschmitts abandoned on the Gambit landing ground. This represents serious loss to the Luftwaffe, whose tactics last week demonstrated an anxiety to conserve its remaining fast fighters." NOTABLE SQUADRON FINE RECORD IN DESERT (Reed. 7.15 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 8 A mixed Royal Air Force squadron in Libya, in which there are New Zealand and Australian airmen, lias destroyed 109 enemy aeroplanes for the loss of foiir pilots. During the Libya campaign alone the squadron brought down 25 enemy aircraft. The squadron was lent from England Inst May for six months' duty in the Middle East. It fought in Greece and Crete' and is now one of the veteran desert squadrons. WOUNDED MEN FOUND LONDON, Dec. 8 • A New Zealand divisional dressing station which had been over-run by the enemy during an attack in which tliev occupied Sid] Rezegh was found, and the wounded there are being evacuated as speedily as possible. A number of guns over-run by the enemy in the same action have been recovered.