BOLD ADVANCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24302, 17 June 1942, Page 3

BOLD ADVANCE

ROMMEL'S MANOEUVRE STRENGTH AND SWIFTNESS LONDON, June 15 The primary object of the Italians and Germans in Libya is to overwhelm the remainder of the GazalaBir Hakeim lines by simultaneous attacks from the west and east, says the military correspondent of the Times. Rommel's manoeuvres have an air of confidence bred of the belief that he possesses better and harder hitting weapons. Otherwise they are almost incredibly bold, even for Rommel. The military correspondent of the Daily Express says: "Last night's news from Libya was bad. In plain words Rommel has moved faster and more strongly than was anticipated."

Merits of Dive-Bomber Major Oliver Stewart, the Daily Express air observer, says the events in Libya, especially the fall of Rir Hakeim, direct attention once again to the merits of the dive-bomber. The military writer of the Daily Mail says: "To-day's communique reveals the grim fact that the Libyan battle at the moment has gone against the Eighth Army. We may find that General Ritchie has been forced to withdraw from Knightsbridge, and in addition Gazala, to a new front based on Tobruk El Adem and El Gobi. "It appears that the panders broke through between El Adem and Knightsbridge and are now forging northward,

while Imperial armoured forcas harry their rear and possibly their flanks. It is likely that Rommel is going all-out for a decision and has brought up his full reserves of tanks. If this is so the next few days will see the fiercest battles of the whole campaign." "Both Sides Equal"

Reviewing the results of the three weeks' campaign, the Daily Express says: "Both sides are now much weaker in armour, but are still approximately equal. The Germans have more heavy tanks, but our mobile guns restore the balance. The Germans at last are putting in their full air power. One of the great mysteries of the battle was why Rommel did not use the Luftwaffe at the start. He is now using all his land and air strength simultaneously. "The British are believed to be numerically inferior in the air, taking account, of bombers, fighters, Stukas. tank-busters and all other types. The Germans certainly have more bombers, but we certainly have more fighters. We also have the advantage of quality, and our airmen are taking bigger risks without suffering bigger losses."

GALLANT FREE FRENCH LONDON, June 15 The news of the Free French stand at Bir Hakeim spread like wildfire through France and stirred the French to the heart, says Renter's correspondent on the French frontier. Details of the exploit were received in towns and villages by short-wave wireless, which escapes the systematic German jamming of news from abroad. All France learned of the news in an incredibly short time.

HONOURED BY POLAND (Real. 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, June 15 Air Marshal Sholto Douglas is among the senior officers who have been decorated by Poland in recognition of services in the organisation and development of the Polish Air Force in Britain. Marshal Douglas, with Air Vice-Marshals T, L. Leigh Mallory and R. D. Oxland, were made Knight Commanders of the Order of Polonia Restitua, one of the highest Polish orders which were constituted in 1921 after Poland had regained its independence. Other Royal Air Force officers have been made officers of the order.

TRONDHEIM RAID HEROES (Heed. 5.36 p.in.) LONDON, .Tune 15 The Distinguished Service Order has been awarded to acting-Wing-Com-mander D. C. T. Bennet, and the Distinguished Flying Medal to Sergeant H, Wftlmsley, who were respectively captain and second pilot of an aircraft which one night in April made a daring attack on the German naval base at Trondheim Fiord. Their plane was hit and they were forced to escape by parachute, landing safely in occupied territory. After escaping from the Germans, they reached Swedish territory after a most arduous and trying Journey across the snow-clad mountains.