SECOND EDITION TANK AMBUSH

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24302, 17 June 1942, Page 4

SECOND EDITION TANK AMBUSH

ENEMY IN DESERT HEAVY BRITISH LOSSES THREAT TO TOBRUK By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Eecd. 1.45 a.m.) LONDON, June 10 There were heavy British tank losses in Libya when our armoured units attacked between El Adem and Knightsbridge and came up against a tremendously powerful concentration of concealed enemy anti-tank guns. Renter's special correspondent states that our tanks had massed, apparently seeking to cut through the 21st and 15th German armoured divisions, which were in process of joining, when the anti-tank guns opened up. The tank commanders strove heroically to extricate their squadrons from the hellish fire, but the slow-moving tanks, halfblinded by the swirling dust, were at a disadvantage. The whole of the desert front is in a state of flux as wave after wave of German tanks are thrown against the British armoured units barring Rommel's path to Tobruk and the sea. The situation remains serious, but the Eighth Army is fighting back hard from new, well-chosen positions. Fighting has shifted to the north of Knightsbridge, the main battle being fought in this area and around Acroina and EI Adem. The enemy's intention was to isolate Gazala and cut off the garrison. This attempt has been a failure, the garrison being withdrawn. "The situation at the moment is undoubtedly serious, if not critical," says the Daily Mail correspondent. He adds: "Tobruk is now threatened far more directly 'than it has ever been ittfthis campaign."

! REPORTED SEA BATTLE

MEDITERRANEAN ACTION (Reed. 1.45 a.m.) LONDON, June 18 An Italian communique says that a big sea and air battle is going on in the Mediterranean, in which two British convoys and their escort of warships are stated to have been involved. The Italian accounts claim that a number of British ships were sunk. The communique further states that an Italian cruiser has been lost and a destroyer damaged.