THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 1942 MEDITERRANEAN BATTLES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24303, 18 June 1942, Page 2

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 1942 MEDITERRANEAN BATTLES

Operations in the Mediterranean have once again broken into the forefront of the news. They will continue to do so for as long as control of this central sea remains in dispute. For the Mediterranean is truly named the Middle Sea, washing the shores of three continents, Europe, Asia and Africa. In this world war, and in every world war, the Mediterranean takes a major strategic place. British control based on sea-power had been continuous for 150 years until the Axis threw down a challenge two years ago. Since then the enemy has, by the conquest of the Balkans, greatly strengthened his position in the Central Mediterranean. He seeks noAV to extend his control eastward to Suez, a move that would give mastery of the Mediterranean, only qualified by such incursions as the Allies could still make through the Strait of Gibraltar. That is the ultimate objective of Rommel's offensive in Libya, one that the Allies are determined the Axis shall not reach. General Ritchie's stern fight in the desert, and the Royal Navy's shepherding of convoys from Gibraltar and Alexandria to the relief of Malta and Tobruk respectively, are forceful expressions of that determination. Malta must be reinforced for its task of harrying Rommel's supply convoys; Tobruk must be held as one and the foremost of the British strongholds guarding the road to Suez.

Tobruk is now directly menaced, following upon the reduction of the Gazala-Bir Hakeirn defensive zone. But the zone has served its purpose. Rommel had planned to be in Tobruk in four days, but after three weeks he has only arrived at the approaches with the bright spear of his armoured divisions blunted and bent by the assaults further west. Not only that, but the coup he had planned against the British forward garrisons at Gazala and Knightsbridge was frustrated by General Ritchie's well-timed withdrawal of the Ist South. African and 15th British Divisions, covered by the magnificent fight of the Ist British Armoured Division holding Acroma. Thus the coast road was held, and the divisions extricated and established in new positions covering Tobruk. Rommel has it to do all over again, if he can still muster the storming forces. If he should succeed in over-running the advanced posts at Acroma and El Adem, he would then come up against Tobruk's perimeter, which withstood all assaults for eight months last year until the siege was raised by the New Zealand Division at the end of November. General Eitchie also has hard problems to solve. He has to stabilise the admittedly fluid situation around Tobruk, while holding open his land communications with Egypt. Otherwise the envelopment he escaped at Gazala may overtake him at Tobruk. As it is, El Adem seems to be isolated. The enemy is reported at points to the north and east of it, as well as to the west and south. Mention of the El Adem aerodrome, El Duda, and Sidi Rezegh suggests that the enemy is already astride the Capuzzo road, leaving the main coastal road as General Ritchie's sole link by land with his base in Egypt. Some of the solutions of his problems should be found in the holds j of the ships successfully convoyed from Alexandria to Tobruk. Their passage was one of two causes that set the Mediterranean aflame early this week. The other was the escort from Gibraltar to Malta of a second convoy. This was a far bolder venture, made when days are at their longest. The ships had to run the gauntlet for 500 miles of land-based planes taking off from Sardinia and Sicily. What losses were sustained in these two bold operations cannot yet be stated, but the convoys got through and delivered supplies to Malta and Tobruk. So they fulfilled their mission and won a resounding victory against all the odds. In making this possible, the Royal Navy, with the co-operation of the Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Corps, inflicted heavy loss and damage on the Italian Navy and Air Force, and on the Luftwaffe. An enemy heavy cruiser and two destroyers were sunk, and other warships severely damaged. Here is a glorious byproduct of a sober supply mission. Once again in a major sea action it has to be recorded that the whole affair was apparently fought out without the opposing fleets engaging each other. If air power can be mobilised to such effect on a particular occasion, if it can help to make possible the passage of Allied convoys through narrow seas, the question arises why it is not so organised continuously to support the Mediterranean Fleet and bar Rommel's supply ships. Such organisation would have averted the menace that is developing in the Libyan desert, by leaving Rommel high and dry.